Game: Last Dream Fishing Arcade
Genre: Action, Simulation
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer|Publisher: White Giant RPG Studios
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $ 4.99 | UK £ 4.99 | EU € 4,99
Release Date: September 10th, 2024
A review code was provided, and many thanks to White Giant RPG Studios.
Last Dream Fishing Arcade: A Relaxing Spin-Off
Last Dream Fishing Arcade is a simple, relaxing fishing game that serves as a spin-off to the developer’s RPG series, Last Dream. While I haven’t had the opportunity to dive into the Last Dream series, that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this game. If you’re a fan of fishing games, this title is definitely worth picking up, especially at its affordable price point.
Casting a Line
Last Dream Fishing Arcade wastes no time and drops you straight into the fishing action. As soon as you start the game, you’re guided through the fishing mechanics, which are straightforward yet satisfying. Essentially, all you do is cast your line and then gradually reel it in, watching and waiting for one of the mysterious fish swimming below to bite. Once you hook a fish, the real challenge begins. You can hold the reel button to wear the fish down gradually, but you need to be cautious not to let your meter fill up too quickly, or else you risk breaking the line. You can also build up an overdrive meter and activate various special abilities that are unlocked over time. Activating these at just the right moment can make all the difference with a challenging catch.
The game adds an extra arcade twist by prompting you to press one of four direction buttons during reeling to drain the fish’s energy a bit faster. This mechanic adds a layer of strategy and engagement to the process. Once the fish is exhausted, you can finally reel it in and add it to your collection. After each successful catch, the game reveals detailed information about the fish, including its weight and star rating.
One feature I particularly enjoyed is how, once a fish is caught and logged in your codex, it’s removed from the waters for the rest of the day. This means each catch feels significant, and you won’t encounter the same fish again unless you end your day and re-enter the fishing spot later. This gives a sense of progress and accomplishment as you work through the various species available in the game.
Upgrading Your Rod
As you continue to catch fish, you accumulate points, which can be exchanged for upgrades to your fishing rod or even entirely new rods. These upgrades allow you to cast your line further, land bigger fish, and earn larger rewards. Additionally, keen-eyed players might land treasure chests that contain items to temporarily buff your stats, giving you an edge in your fishing endeavours. You can also find messages in bottles scattered throughout the waters, which provide a bit of lore about the game’s world and unlock new fishing spots.
Getting Competitive
Fishing in Last Dream Fishing Arcade isn’t just about relaxation. As the in-game day progresses, you’ll be visited by a vendor who sells items, but the most intriguing feature is the fishing tournament. If you choose to participate, the fishing spot is replenished with fish, and you’re given a set time to catch as many as possible. Each fish caught adds to your score, which is tracked on the right side of the screen, allowing you to see how you fare against the competition in real time.
Successful catches without errors build up a combo, increasing your score multiplier and adding a tense twist to the game’s formula. If you manage to come out on top in the tournament, you’re rewarded with useful, equipable items that can be used in the main game. But if you’d rather stick to the calm and relaxing side of fishing, you can always opt out of the tournament and enjoy a peaceful day by the water.
Pixel Art and Atmosphere
The game utilizes a fairly simple pixel art design, which is detailed enough to get the job done without being overly flashy. The most interesting aspect of the graphics is the wide variety of fish you can catch, each with its own unique appearance and characteristics, all of which you can learn more about in the game’s codex. As you progress, you’ll discover a variety of fishing spots, though many of them feel quite similar, ranging from plain lakes to dark, moody lakes under different weather conditions.
The music in Last Dream Fishing Arcade is similarly simple yet effective, featuring relaxing pieces that set the mood for a laid-back fishing experience. The opening screen’s score, though, sounds incredibly familiar, something that might remind players of classic tunes, though I couldn’t quite place where it’s from.
A Game Best Enjoyed in Small Doses
I found that Last Dream Fishing Arcade is best enjoyed in small bursts, particularly on a device like the Steam Deck, where you can easily pick up and play whenever you have a spare moment. The game automatically saves your progress whenever you catch a fish, making it easy to jump in and out as your schedule allows. However, when playing for extended periods, the experience can start to feel noticeably repetitive and grindy.
The general formula of the game is catching fish, earning points, and upgrading your equipment, which remains largely unchanged throughout and might not appeal to players looking for a deeper experience. Unlocking new characters and upgrades takes time, and some may find the grind to be a bit tedious. However, if you’re a fan of fishing games and don’t mind the slow pace, this formula can be quite satisfying.
Conclusion: A Spot of Fishing Fun
Last Dream Fishing Arcade, while simple, is a nice little fishing game to dabble in from time to time. In today’s gaming lingo, it might be considered a “loading game,” something to play while waiting for a bigger, more demanding title to install. While it doesn’t reinvent the fishing game formula, I can’t deny that it offers a pleasant escape, especially after a stressful day. It’s the kind of game that allows you to switch off your brain and enjoy a peaceful, low-stakes gaming experience.
For the price of entry, it’s well worth checking out, particularly if you’re a fan of fishing games or just looking for something relaxing to play in short bursts. A free demo is available on Steam.
Final Verdict: I Like It
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