Cast n Chill

About

Cast n Chill is a single player and multiplayer casual role playing game. It was developed by Wombat Brawler and was released on June 16, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Cast n Chill is a relaxed fishing game where you explore 16 serene locations, upgrading your gear as you catch a variety of fish. Players can choose between active fishing or passive mode, letting the game fish for them while they take a break. It’s a peaceful experience focused on setting your own pace and enjoying the tranquility of fishing.

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,071 reviews

gameplay228 positive mentions

story10 negative mentions

Beautiful pixel art and calming atmosphere create a relaxing experience.
The game offers both active and idle gameplay, allowing players to enjoy fishing at their own pace.
Engaging progression system with a variety of fish species and upgrades keeps the gameplay interesting.

Fishing mechanics can feel frustrating, especially with larger fish that may escape easily.
Limited content and repetitive gameplay may lead to a quick sense of completion.
Some players find the idle mode less engaging, as it can diminish the excitement of actively fishing.

gameplay
566 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
56%
4%
The gameplay of "Cast n Chill" is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, making it easy for players to engage in a relaxing fishing experience. While the mechanics are straightforward and can become repetitive, many players appreciate the soothing atmosphere, beautiful pixel art, and the balance between active and idle gameplay. However, some critiques highlight the lack of depth in the fishing mechanics and a desire for more content and complexity to enhance the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is simple, smooth, and surprisingly addictive, making it easy to lose track of time while fishing and exploring.”
- “The fishing mechanics are simple yet satisfying, the atmosphere is serene, and the soundtrack makes every session feel like a mini-vacation.”
- “Cast n chill is exactly what it says on the tin - with some minor conflict between gameplay elements that cater to idle and active players.”
- “The gameplay is very simple and became a chore after a few casts.”
- “The fishing mechanics are incredibly simple, the unlock system is really simple, the progression is really simple.”
- “The actual gameplay loop gets old fast, since you can see the fish and choose your bait accordingly.”
graphics
527 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
30%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art style, which creates a cozy and immersive atmosphere reminiscent of classic gaming aesthetics. Players appreciate the beautiful visuals and calming environments, often describing them as breathtaking and perfect for relaxation. While some wish for more detail in certain elements, the overall consensus is that the graphics significantly enhance the gaming experience, making it a must-try for fans of pixel art and chill gameplay.
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the game plays well, and the overall vibe makes it really easy to lose track of time.”
- “The visuals are stunning, the music is relaxing, and the overall vibe makes it really easy to lose track of time.”
- “The pixel art style is gorgeous, and the ambiance of wildlife is very peaceful.”
- “The granular graphics, while charming, just make it look like a blurry mess and that wasn't very chill.”
- “But the graphics are terrible, back to little color squares instead of a blend.”
- “While I generally do not play a lot of games with this art style, the atmosphere and environment is crafted with such care and passion - I can't overlook it.”
music
290 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
49%
1%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall relaxing atmosphere created by the beautiful pixel art and ambient sounds. Many players appreciate the gentle banjo soundtrack, which complements the serene fishing experience, although some express a desire for more variety and frequency in the music. Overall, the combination of tranquil music and charming visuals makes for a delightful and immersive gaming experience.
- “The cozy atmosphere, calming music, and beautiful visuals create a really peaceful experience.”
- “The visuals are cozy, the soundtrack is soothing, and the whole experience feels like a quiet evening by the water after a long day.”
- “The music is so relaxing that I lose myself in thought from the atmosphere.”
- “I do wish there was a bit more ambient nature sounds, and an option to have a bit more background music.”
- “My only real gripes are that there needs to be more gear to keep the grind rewarding and once you cast out and the camera dips below the water the chilled music disappears.”
- “While I adore the graphics, the music and the overall vibe, this was in the end a very shallow game that seeks to coast off that vibe alone.”
atmosphere
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
31%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its calming and immersive qualities, featuring beautiful pixel art, soothing music, and a serene environment that invites relaxation. Players appreciate the therapeutic experience it offers, with many describing it as a perfect backdrop for casual gameplay and unwinding. Overall, the game's aesthetic and sound design create a cozy, tranquil atmosphere that enhances the fishing experience.
- “The cozy atmosphere, calming music, and beautiful visuals create a really peaceful experience.”
- “The atmosphere created by it in unison with the colors and soft background tunes is mesmerizing.”
- “The atmosphere is calm and welcoming, the soundtrack is soothing, and every moment on the water feels genuinely therapeutic.”
- “The underwater view reduces the sense of discovery and undermines the surface-level atmosphere.”
- “For a game that emphasizes atmosphere, it felt oddly empty.”
- “The atmosphere is pure therapy.”
story
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
76%
16%
The game's story aspect is largely minimal, with many players noting the absence of a significant narrative or overarching plot. While some appreciate the light, whimsical interactions with a single NPC that provide a sense of immersion, others find the lack of missions and character development leads to a repetitive experience. Overall, the game is described as more focused on gameplay mechanics and aesthetics rather than a compelling story.
- “Everything from the artwork, the little story, the music, and the actual game itself has been crafted so exceptionally well.”
- “Story is subtle; you learn a lot from just one NPC (so far I have not met anyone else), and it doesn't force you to have hard goals.”
- “There isn't an overarching plot line in this game, but there are little tidbits from the shopkeeper that give the world more life, and there are different creatures and things to spot in each area.”
- “There is no actual story to this game.”
- “There is no story and before soon the game turns rather boring with the only goal being to collect everything.”
- “The content is repetitive and there seems to be no story.”
grinding
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
9%
85%
The reviews highlight a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with some players finding it tedious and boring, while others appreciate the balance between active play and idle mechanics. The inclusion of an idle mode is frequently praised for alleviating the grind, allowing players to progress without constant engagement. Overall, while some aspects of grinding can feel repetitive, many players find the experience enjoyable and satisfying, especially with the game's beautiful visuals and relaxing atmosphere.
- “What an enjoyable experience! No grinding or sweating trying to play this, just sit back and fish at your own pace. The only thing missing is an online function like multiplayer or even an online leaderboard for most fish caught or biggest fish caught.”
- “Blended with the rustle of wind, the leap of fish, even the long wait for a bite feels not tedious, but a chance to still the mind.”
- “6 hours in and the economy feels balanced and not grindy at all.”
- “Boring and tedious.”
- “The gameplay is basically a glorified collect-a-thon, but the visual and the vibe outweigh its tediousness every time.”
- “The repetitive format makes the game tedious a bit further down the line if you end up just wanting to finish.”
emotional
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find "Cast 'n Chill" to be a deeply emotional and cozy experience, often evoking feelings of nostalgia and personal connection through its charming art style and engaging gameplay. The game fosters emotional attachment through features like naming the boat and dog, while its relaxing atmosphere provides a sense of peace and calm. However, some reviewers noted a lack of substantial story or character development, which may limit deeper emotional investment.
- “This is a truly cozy game that has helped me find calm, emotional relief, and a sense of peace, and I'm incredibly grateful for it.”
- “Old Wreck Bay made me feel like I was in northern BC fishing with my dad and uncle.”
- “Allowing the player to name the boat and the dog increases emotional attachment and personal identity.”
replayability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
31%
23%
Overall, the game's replayability is highly praised, with many players noting its longevity and the enjoyment of returning for post-game content and co-op play. However, some users express concerns about diminishing replay value after completing missions and achievements, suggesting that the core gameplay may become repetitive over time. Improvements such as more varied challenges could enhance the experience further.
- “Pros: insanely replayable post-game (still dip in weekly); cheap price with free updates; family-friendly (co-op shines); zero bugs, runs on potatoes.”
- “Super replayable, and I already know I'm going to sink hundreds of hours into it, mostly idle, but also as a chill wind-down game.”
- “Great replayability so far (I haven't hit all the achievements yet) but I'm sure that will die down after I complete them.”
- “There is zero replayability - core gameplay is extremely primitive; the 'minigame' of catching the fish basically cannot be failed if you are just patient.”
- “Now, you could say it has a bit of replayability, but at about 11.5 hours in, I have accomplished all missions and upgraded all items. Now all there is left for excitement is the prospect of catching the biggest lunkers I can.”
- “Having a random number of each fish size and having the fish more spread out and mixed would be a big improvement to the replayability of each location.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on average systems and offers enjoyable gameplay, recent patches have negatively impacted performance, leading to stuttering issues that require users to adjust settings for better frame rates. Players have noted a lack of upgrade paths and build optimization options, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “It's the best offline fishing game that I've ever played so far, and you don't have to have the best computer for it to run smoothly.”
- “If performance gets tightened up, I don’t have any low marks to give Cast & Chill at all.”
- “My only gripe is that performance has taken a hit between patches.”
- “I was getting a buttery smooth 60fps at 4K when I bought the game, but to achieve that now I had to turn fake frames on (a feature I never use) to keep the game from stuttering.”
- “I also do not think that this is a good idle game - there aren't many upgrade choices to allow for much build optimization.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with users reporting significant issues such as camera bugs, multiplayer lag due to Steam's screencast feature, and occasional crashes when using Big Picture mode. While some players have noted that it runs well on the Steam Deck, others have experienced frustrating bugs, particularly with achievements and certain game mechanics. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, its stability concerns detract from the experience.
- “It also runs great on Steam Deck!”
- “Runs great on a Steam Deck, too.”
- “Also, I’m playing this on the Steam Deck and it runs great.”
- “And the worst part is the camera is really buggy when viewing above the surface.”
- “Very good game, but one problem with multiplayer is that it's using Steam screencast, which for your information is really bad. It lags, glitches all the time, and sometimes just doesn't work at all. I would like to request that it be removed or at least made the last option for people since, well, it's trash.”
- “Edit: I think the issue is related to opening the game in Big Picture mode, as it has issues and often semi-crashes/freezes, making it unable to do nearly anything except open the menu to exit when you use Shift+Tab or the Steam home button to open Big Picture Steam mode options while in full-screen game (using Alt+Enter) or without Big Picture mode still with Shift+Tab.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally well-received, with some users appreciating the absence of microtransactions and unnecessary currencies, allowing for a complete experience without additional costs. Players have noted that the game can be finished in a day, and while it offers in-game purchases, it does not feel like a cash grab, focusing instead on quality content. Overall, the game is praised for its fair approach to monetization, contrasting with other titles that heavily rely on monetization schemes.
- “Tl;dr for the arcade calming game (without microtransactions) that you can finish in one day - it's cool.”
- “No frills, microtransactions, needless currencies, etc. The music, art, and audio are all just as on point as in the trailer.”
- “As of this review, I have 27 hours logged in this game, but a fair bit of that is the game running in idle mode while I did something else. Despite that, I have caught every fish variety in the game and bought every single in-game purchase currently available.”
- “The ones that chase realistic graphics and are packed with monetization schemes designed to drain your wallet in the name of 'the best experience.'”
- “It's definitely not a low-effort cash grab.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is well-received, with players finding it both entertaining and relatable, particularly through amusing discussions on the game's forums. Many appreciate the lightheartedness of the gameplay, although some comments highlight the irony in certain mechanics, such as rod strength not significantly impacting fishing success. Overall, the game's charm lies in its quirky humor and the fun experiences shared by the community.
- “Also, the discussion board for this game is hilarious.”
- “Played the demo for the game a while ago and absolutely loved it, so I bought it the day it came out. The funny thing is that I was fishing on a boat when I bought it.”
- “It's a pretty good and chill game. The only thing that is really bothering me is that increasing your rod strength (haha funny comment) doesn't actually make much of a difference. Maybe I'm just really bad at fishing, but in my impression, if the fish does not want to be fished, it won't be fished, no matter how much willpower you put into it.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is highly praised, with players noting that even minor characters, such as the shopkeeper, exhibit exceptional design and depth, contributing significantly to the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game.
- “I can't stress enough how much I love this game; even the shopkeeper has some of the best character design I have ever seen, and he has become one of my favorite parts of the game.”