Every year, Steam Next Fest is a gauntlet of samey demos, but FISH³ instantly grabbed my attention-mostly because I thought, “Wait, is this actually a game about catching mutant fish to turn your boat into a torpedo?” Turns out, yeah, that’s exactly what it is. For anyone tired of fishing minigames that feel like chores, FISH³ promises a chaotic, offbeat twist on the genre-leaning into “action-adventure speed-fishing” and barely disguised strangeness.
Let’s be real: fishing has been in everything from Stardew Valley to Zelda, but it’s almost always a sleepy side activity. FISH³, from Bakery of Games, blows that up with a premise that’s half fever-dream, half arcade adrenaline: you literally catch a fish, then use that fish’s raw power to propel your boat through trippy undersea time-attack courses. If that sounds fun and weird, it’s because it is-and there’s a demo now live for Steam Next Fest showcasing exactly that.
Key Takeaways:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Bakery of Games |
| Release Date | Demo available June 2025 (full release TBA) |
| Genres | Action-Adventure, Speed-Fishing, Surreal Arcade |
| Platforms | PC (Steam) |
Why FISH³ Is Actually Worth Your Attention—And Skepticism
There’s no shortage of indie games pitching “quirky” hooks (pun intended), but most lean on familiar gameplay loops. FISH³, though, is so aggressively weird in its fishing-boat fusion that I can’t help but root for it. The action-first design—where every fish becomes an unpredictable booster (or liability)—means you’re always making snap decisions. Are you snagging the biggest thrashing monstrosity for maximum speed, or going conservative to avoid crashing into the scenery? That dynamic reminds me more of arcade racers than any fishing minigame I’ve played.
Another detail that caught my eye: the dual-rod system. Piloting your boat with one hand while managing a second rod for extra catches is ripe for genuine chaos—and likely, skill ceiling. If the fishing physics aren’t tight, this could veer from frantic fun into frustrating mess, but if it lands, it’s exactly the kind of hands-on, non-stop multitasking that could win over speedrunners and streamers alike.
And then there’s the world design: the press material teases a “dreamlike underwater world of bizarre creatures,” and based on early screenshots, that’s not marketing fluff. If the creature designs stay this imaginative, it’ll offer the kind of discovery that keeps people combing every corner for new surprises (think Dredge’s creepy finds, but actually fast-paced).
Of course, the skeptic in me wonders if there’s enough depth (sorry!) beyond the punchy premise. How much replay value is there, or will the core mechanic wear thin once the novelty fades? Will progression be tied to unlocking wilder fish, or risk devolving into a checklist grind?
If you’re someone who finds “cozy fishing” a snooze, or you want something quirky and skill-based for your Steam Next Fest playlist, FISH³ could be your hidden gem. The demo’s time-attack stages mean this should appeal to anyone craving quick, replayable challenges—and, finally, something to recommend if you love both arcades and fishing but don’t want to whittle logs or romance villagers.
On the other hand, if you’re hoping for long-form narrative or detailed simulation (like the more involved side of Dredge), you might find this a bit shallow (last fish pun, I promise). But if you’re in it for pure, uncut weirdness and mechanical novelty, downloading this demo feels like a no-brainer—especially before the Steam charts get choked with clones.
In a sea of cozy indies, FISH³ is swinging wild—giving us fish-powered boating, action-heavy fishing battles, and off-kilter world design that steers sharply away from the genre norm. I’m genuinely stoked how far it leans into its own weirdness, but I’ll be watching to see if the fast-paced fishing loop can keep things fresh after the initial “what the hell?” factor wears off. Still, with a Next Fest demo on tap, it’s an easy, risk-free test drive for any gamer looking to shake up their library with something bold and strange.