Is How to Fish Worth Buying?
Short answer: yes, if you have 1–3 friends to play with. Here's the full breakdown so you can decide for yourself.
Launch reception
How to Fish launched on August 20, 2026 and immediately went viral: 96% positivereviews ("Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam) and more than 60,000 concurrent players within two days, driven largely by streamers and word of mouth.
The hook is simple: a "fishing simulator" where you can shoot fish with guns, gamble your catch at a table, fight seagulls, and hunt giant boss fish — all in 4-player co-op. Press coverage focused on the same joke: the game is called How to Fish, but it's really about how many creative ways you can avoid fishing normally.
What players love
- Genuinely funny physics chaos — the sandbox moments (no-scoping a flying mackerel, a friend "accidentally" shooting you) are the content.
- Great co-op — up to 4 players, and the game is clearly designed around group chaos.
- Ridiculously cheap — it's the price of a coffee during the launch sale.
- Tiny and lightweight — ~1 GB install, low minimum specs, runs on almost anything.
- Boss fish are a real highlight — the Spider Crab quest in particular is a memorable early moment.
What players complain about
- Short main quest — speedrunners finish in under an hour; a normal playthrough isn't much longer than a few evenings.
- Solo play is weaker — the comedy and difficulty balance both assume friends.
- Repetitive loop — catch, sell, upgrade is the whole game; if the joke doesn't land for you, there's no deep system underneath.
- Niche humor — the "fish with guns" bit is the entire identity; it either clicks or it doesn't.
Price and value
How to Fish costs about €4.64 / ¥20.46 at full price, and it's even cheaper during the launch sale (38% off until Aug 28, 2026). At that price, the value math is simple: one evening of co-op laughs already pays for it.
Who should buy it — and who shouldn't
Buy it if:
- You have 1–3 friends who like sandbox chaos games.
- You enjoy games like Gang Beasts, Human: Fall Flat, or Lethal Company — "physics comedy" games.
- You want a cheap, tiny download that runs on an older PC.
Skip it if:
- You only play solo — the game loses a lot alone.
- You want a serious fishing sim — that's Fishing Planet or Dredge territory (see our games like How to Fish page).
- You need long-term progression — this is a "play it for a weekend" game, not a 200-hour one.
Verdict
Buy it — if you have friends. At the launch-sale price it's the lowest-risk co-op purchase on Steam right now: worst case you're out the cost of a coffee; best case it's your group's new weekend game for the rest of the month.
FAQ
How long is How to Fish?
The main quest can be finished in under an hour by speedrunners; a normal co-op playthrough lasts several evenings.
Is How to Fish good solo?
Playable, but the game is clearly designed around co-op — most solo players rate it lower.
How much does How to Fish cost?
38% off until Aug 28, 2026 (about $4 in most regions; regional pricing varies). Check the Steam page for your price.
Will it run on my PC?
Probably — it's a 1 GB indie game with 2016-era minimum specs. See our system requirements page.
Related:Beginner's Guide ·Games Like How to Fish ·System Requirements