Fishbowl

About

Fishbowl is a single player casual role playing game with a anime theme. It was developed by imissmyfriends.studio and was released on April 1, 2026. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Buzz“I truly believe that Fishbowl will be one of the best indie games of its year when it launches” - Gaming Bible “It’s a heartwarming story that is helped by some great writing, bringing the seemingly small and simple world to life” - Kotaku “Fishbowl looks to be an emotional story of loss, loneliness and finding the joy of life through it all” - Video Games are Good About the GameTwenty-on…

Skip User Reviews

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 65 reviews

story19 positive mentions

Deeply emotional and authentic story about grief, loss, and coping during the pandemic that resonates with many players.
Beautiful, charming pixel art and a soothing soundtrack that create a cozy, immersive atmosphere.
Meaningful gameplay loop reflecting real-life routines and mental health, complemented by fun mini-games and relatable characters.

Gameplay can feel repetitive and overly focused on daily chores and QTEs, which some players find tedious over a long playtime.
The extensive dialogue and text can be overwhelming and sometimes feel unnecessarily verbose.
Some elements like dream sequences may cause discomfort (e.g., motion sickness) and lack accessibility options.

story
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
47%
7%
The story is widely praised for its deep, heartfelt exploration of grief, loss, family, and mental health, creating a relatable and emotional experience that resonates strongly with players. It unfolds thoughtfully through characters, memories, and daily interactions, combining a cozy, aesthetically pleasing atmosphere with a narrative that demands and rewards full attention. Overall, the story is described as beautifully told, personal, and emotionally impactful, often evoking a strong emotional response and leaving a lasting impression.
- “A phenomenal story that captures grief, family, and friendship like I've never experienced.”
- “I do highly recommend this game as it is a wonderful story and experience, just be sure to have a box of tissues nearby and make sure you are in a good headspace to play since it deals with topics of loss, grief, and isolation.”
- “While the story itself works with a heavy narrative (loss of a loved one and being conducted to social distancing, therefore staying at your house all the time, which can be pressing on your psyche), these two things ease the experience a lot.”
- “The story unfolds through video calls, messages, and unpacking Jaja’s belongings, which slowly reveals that the past isn’t quite as simple as Alo remembers.”
- “I really like the feeling of slowly peeling back the layers and learning more about Alo's story as she processes through her grief.”
emotional
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game delivers a deeply emotional and heartfelt experience, balancing everyday pandemic life with themes of grief, growth, and healing. Its intimate storytelling, natural dialogue, and soothing atmosphere evoke genuine tears and reflection, making it a memorable and touching journey. Players are often moved by its raw emotions and thoughtful pacing, resulting in both comfort and emotional impact.
- “It was such an emotional journey that's deeply personal, intimate, warm, and heartfelt.”
- “The conversations and day-to-day moments feel natural, and the overall experience is calm but emotionally impactful.”
- “It showcases how grief and emotional healing are far from a linear process.”
gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
72%
14%
The gameplay centers on a simple, routine-based loop with mini-interactions and light activities that intentionally simulate daily life, creating a cozy, immersive experience. While some find it repetitive, this simplicity effectively supports the game's emotional and atmospheric storytelling. Overall, the gameplay complements the narrative, offering a calm, relatable rhythm rather than traditional action or complexity.
- “I have met these devs last year in Gamemaker meet as well as MCC, played their demo and now I bought it for full gameplay and honestly I'm not at all disappointed!”
- “The daily routine gameplay really worked for me.”
- “The game is structured around a loop of everyday routine, but has just enough novelty every day and little gameplay sequences to keep you going and feeling more and more connected to the main character.”
- “There really isn't much here to call gameplay, just a heck load of repeated QTEs and a bit of walking around.”
- “The gameplay loop can feel stale after the first few days because it's more or less the same routine.”
- “Gameplay mechanics might feel a bit repetitive, but that's by design, as part of the hook is to simulate living alone in an apartment for a month.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's graphics feature a charming, cute pixel art style that beautifully complements its melancholy yet hopeful narrative. Reviewers praise the visually stunning and cohesive aesthetics, noting the detailed UI and overall artistic design enhance the emotional impact and immersive atmosphere.
- “The pixel art style is really well done and it's cute.”
- “A stunning game that took me by surprise for its story and artwork.”
- “The graphics are so cute, and they really do tell a story.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful, relaxing, and soothing qualities, often described as a perfect complement to the stunning pixel art and emotional storytelling. It effectively enhances the atmosphere, creating an immersive and heartfelt experience.
- “The gorgeous pixel art and colour palette in this game were an absolute joy, and I really loved the music throughout; relaxing lofi beats.”
- “The art and music create a beautiful atmosphere that ties everything together.”
- “Strong, emotional story, charming pixel art, and a soothing soundtrack.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game’s atmosphere is uniquely impactful, blending beautiful art and music with gameplay and narrative to create a cohesive experience that feels both melancholy and hopeful.
- “The atmosphere and general sentiment this game creates is entirely unique and will definitely hit you hard.”
- “The art and music create a beautiful atmosphere that ties everything together.”
- “I love how the aesthetics, gameplay, and narrative all work together to create a melancholy yet hopeful atmosphere.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly even on low-end machines, making it accessible to a wide range of players.
- “Oh, and as a bonus, a lightweight title that runs smoothly on low-end machines.”