While the sun may not currently be shining over the blankets of snow covering our campus, that hasn’t stopped the spring semester from moving onwards at SUNY Cortland. It’s only week three, but the fatigue of the fall semester still lingers over most, the only thing keeping most students going is their relationships with the people we most enjoy. So, how can we retain these relationships over these restful but lengthy breaks? And as the rivers are frozen over, where oh where will the fishing hobbyists fish?
Well, put down that fishing rod because you’re staying in tonight!
Introducing Webfishing. Developed and published by Lamedeveloper, Webfishing is a relaxing yet entertaining way to spend time with friends, Webfishing is the perfect catch. This quirky fishing game brings a cozy yet goofy charm to the simulator genre, offering a unique alternative to traditional fishing games, all from the comfort of your own room. And the best part? It’s only $5.
Yes, Webfishing provides a budget-friendly escape, especially compared to the real-world costs of fishing gear. Webfishing allows players to customize their characters, sell their catches for coins they can use to upgrade their equipment, and play with friends. For those who might not vibe with the pixels, Webfishing allows you to adjust the visuals from pixelated to high resolution in case you may have sensitivity issues or different aesthetic preferences. Or, if you’d like to put your trust in the fishing gods, there’s also the WTF pixelation setting.
In Webfishing, there’s much to do. The fish come in all shapes and sizes; players can catch from tiny river snails to massive sea blue whales, adding a fun variety to the experience and keeping every cast exciting. You never know what you might reel in! Webfishing also offers multiple character customization options, starting by giving players a choice between playing as a dog or cat that can be customized into something else. Upon finishing certain quests and catching certain fish, players also get more clothing options and flashy titles they can show off.
Multiplayer lobbies add to the appeal, allowing up to 12 friends to join a single server, reminiscent of Among Us, where you can connect with friends worldwide. One of the only downsides of Webfishing is the fact that it’s exclusively available on PC but supports both Windows and Mac users.
My experience with Webfishing was a fun one, and I often think about it during lectures. I was introduced to Webfishing last semester by my friends from home and was technically peer-pressured into buying it. To those back home, $5 may seem like chump change, but on campus, any dollar is worth its weight in gold. I started pretty boring as my character didn’t have much going on or much on at all, for that matter, but as I ranked up by catching more and more fish, my wardrobe gradually increased. My favorite accessory is my “I love peeing” hat.
I was originally confused by the game mechanics as I thought I was meant to smash my spacebar in order to reel in my catch, but in actuality, you’re required to mash your mouse. As I leveled up my fishing supplies and came across higher-quality fish, clicking got more difficult as the requirements to catch got tougher. It was fun to listen as my friends grew frustrated that their weak fishing rods couldn’t reel in four star fish.
It was also fun to test out the fun drink options from the vending machine near spawn, which offered sodas that either made you change your size or run super fast, to wine and beer that adds slurred speech to your in-game chatting. Upon playing around with it, I was eager to explore the rest of the island, and I was surprised to find a secret vendor on the island that offered lottery tickets and decor that players could interact with. After about 76.4 hours of playtime, I’m proud to boast that my rank is the highest amongst my friends. Yeah, Webfishing is that fun.
I highly recommend Webfishing to those who love the fishing mechanics of Animal Crossing but want a more focused experience, as Webfishing delivers a similar laid-back vibe. While it may not replace the thrill of real-life fishing, its charm, humor, and accessibility make it a great way to stay connected with friends, even during long breaks away from the campus we love.
Webfishing is available for download on Steam.