Mini-games have been a feature of larger titles for decades, and they have gradually become more advanced and immersive. A prime example of how cutting-edge these side games are becoming is in the fact that Gwent, an inclusion of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, went on to become a standalone game thanks to its popularity.
Fishing is a theme that developers constantly turn to as a side game. This is because the pastime can be tied to the story, but also because the act of catching these slippery creatures is something that’s recognizable to everyone. It could be argued that fishing is the perfect mini-game, and it’s only going to get better.
Fishing is Prevalent Throughout the Gaming Industry
The fishing genre manages to hold its own in standalone games, with a huge audience eager to play a variety of titles on different platforms. In terms of games that are dedicated solely to angling, players have a choice of realistic games or cartoon-style options.
There are titles that take you to the lake and make you feel as if you’re actually casting a line, such as Fishing Planet and Bassmaster Fishing 2022. These games are designed to capture the essence of angling, with state-of-the-art graphics and complex game mechanics. The fish are programmed to move in different ways, and a diverse range of factors affect what fish you’ll be able to catch at any given time.
Then there are the more fun-focused fishing games with an animated feel. One example is The Fish Master, which is a simple arcade-style game for Android. Another cartoony option is Fishin’ Frenzy, a popular online slot game. There is a Fishin’ Frenzy free play version so that players can see if they like it before they invest their own money.
Some Games Had Amazing Fishing Mini-Games
Despite the prevalence of fishing games, some would consider it to still be a niche genre. When the pastime appears as a mini-game within another title, though, it may allure itself to more people because they know they don’t have to keep playing it for the entire length of the game. It’s also a nifty feature when these mini-games influence the overall plot of the game.
A good example of this was in Red Dead Redemption 2, where players could go fishing as Arthur Morgan. Because it is seen as a relaxing pastime that’s good for mental wellbeing, the protagonist’s health would improve during the fishing quests. In addition to that, players could catch and cook their prey to give the character sustenance. Some other games that include awesome fishing mini-games are The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Fantasy Life, and World of WarCraft.
Fishing is the perfect way for players to get a bit of relaxing respite within an open-world quest, and these mini-games are set to get even better when virtual reality becomes mainstream. This is because players are likely to spend more time in VR worlds and may need to explore ways to maintain the health of their avatars.