About Fishing preview: fishing mechanics with uneasy answers

A calm cast, then something pulls back

About Fishing is a fishing-themed murder mystery from The Water Museum. It’s also currently playable via a Steam playtest — and based on my first short session, it already feels like one of those games that looks simple until you notice how many little systems are hiding under the surface.

Official update: Steam news post.

Quick note for playtests in general: always use the official store page “Request Access” flow (not random DMs). If you want a refresher, we covered that here: Steam DM scam warning (playtest invites).

A murder mystery with a fishing rod in your hands

About Fishing’s hook isn’t just the act of catching fish — it’s the mystery wrapped around it. You play as a young girl trying to clear your father’s name after he’s accused of murder, and you travel to a small oceanside town to find answers. The vibe is intentionally uneasy: it’s a low-poly world where the rain feels constant, the water looks cold, and the quiet starts to feel like it’s watching you back.

About Fishing – Announce Trailer

About Fishing

Release: Coming soon (TBA)

Genre: Adventure (fishing mystery)

Developer / Publisher: The Water Museum / Playstack

Platforms: Steam, PlayStation Store

Even in this early build, the atmosphere is doing a lot of work. The town sits on the edge of cliffs and calm water, and the contrast between “relaxing fishing game” and “something is wrong here” is the point. I only spent a short time in the playtest, but it was enough to feel how the tone is meant to tighten over time.

Inventory and upgrades in About Fishing, showing the Fishing Line cast-distance bonus

Fishing that asks you to learn the water

The fishing itself is where the playtest surprised me most. It’s not a simple “press button, catch fish” loop — you’re managing direction and movement, then reacting when the current (or the fish) starts to fight back. If you snag something, you can latch onto nearby anchor points, then work the line like you’re trying to pull yourself around obstacles rather than brute-forcing the catch.

On top of that, the game plays with the idea that your catch can be more than a trophy. Certain fish can be controlled and used to help you move through areas or reach places you couldn’t otherwise. It’s a strange idea on paper, but it fits the game’s mood: every catch feels like it matters, and you’re never totally sure what you’re pulling into the light.

A moody road scene in About Fishing, with a character in a yellow raincoat and a large fish nearby

Early impression

I’m coming away from the playtest interested, mostly because it already feels different. The tone is confident, the fishing has texture, and the mystery angle gives it a real reason to exist beyond “another fishing sim.” My session was brief, so there’s clearly more to uncover — but it’s a strong start, and it’s already on my radar.

Related reading

• StarRupture playtest guide — how to request access on Steam
• Beneath playtest now live — psychological horror on Steam

Investigation clues in About Fishing, displayed on an evidence board with string and notes