Cast n Chill is fishing for compliments with its charming pixel art and balmy atmosphere

As names go, Cast n Chill gives you a pretty explicit idea of what the game is all about. Cast a line and unwind. After sampling a freshly-uploaded Steam demo, I can confirm it’s exactly that, a balmy little float on a pixel art lake angling for walleye, trout, and bass. It’s really quite lovely and should appeal to fans of Dave the Diver and Eastward.

You set off from a rickety dock, panting pup in tow, and row your way to a fishing spot of your choosing. The water reflects hills garnished by gilded trees and pillowy clouds. Landing mallards carve ripples in the water. The dazzling detail of the pixel art and the animation makes you feel like you’re in that gently plodding boat. The stunning environment is enough to give the demo a whirl.

Drop anchor then cast your line. Before long, a nibble and your first catch – a wriggly little squirmer. Once you’ve filled your inventory with fish, you’ll head back to sell your catch to an affable tackle shop owner to buy upgrades. Better rods mean bigger fish and different bait means more variety. Save up and you can even get yourself a fancy motor-powered boat. This introduces a sense of progression for those that need a goal beyond the calm and cozy act of fishing. But it never imposes a grind, instead gently nudging you along and rewarding you for seeking out big catches.

At a certain point, the world below the water reveals itself. So do new fishing mechanics. You’ll learn to reel in chunkier fish without breaking your line and how to use the right hooks and lures to attract new fish. It’s by no means difficult or mechanically taxing, but adds a bit of game-y complexity while maintaining the relaxing nature of the whole experience. 

I think what I like most of Cast n Chill is how it never dictates a pace, letting you play how you want. Developer Wombat Brawler describes Cast n Chill as a cozy idle fishing game, though the idle part isn’t part of the demo, which is a taste of the game’s ‘active mode’. A greyed out option in the pause menu suggests an idle ‘passive mode’ is coming in the full release though, perfect for those that want a second screen dip-in-and-out distraction.

In the demo, you’re limited to catching 5 species, though the full release will feature more than 50, both fresh and salt water. There’s also mention of rivers and oceans on the way, implying plenty of new spots to explore both for their angling potential and their environmental pixel art. As for the full release, Cast n Chill is currently planned for sometime in June 2025.