How Fish Is Made

About

In "How Fish Is Made," players step into the world of sardines living in a machine, making choices that affect their fish friends and their own destiny. The game features realistic sardine models and explores thought-provoking, potentially distressing themes, while also offering a lighthearted promise of a "power fantasy" for the player. This narrative-driven experience was developed by students from FutureGames in Sweden. Note: contains trypophobia-inducing imagery and mature content.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,381 reviews

music48 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Unique and surreal experience that combines humor with existential themes.
Short playtime of around 20-30 minutes makes it easy to try without commitment.
The musical number by the tongue-eating louse is a standout moment that adds charm to the game.

Gameplay is mostly limited to walking and talking, lacking interactivity.
The expansion is laggy and unplayable for some users, detracting from the overall experience.
The philosophical themes may come off as pretentious or confusing to some players.

music
147 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
65%
2%
The music in the game has garnered widespread acclaim, particularly for its unexpected and bizarre musical numbers featuring parasitic creatures, which many players found to be the highlight of the experience. The unique blend of catchy tunes, surreal visuals, and environmental sound design creates a memorable and unsettling atmosphere that resonates with players, often leaving them both amused and disturbed. Overall, the musical elements are praised as innovative and integral to the game's charm, making it a standout feature worth experiencing.
- “Fish purgatory has a lot more incredible musical numbers than I would have guessed.”
- “The musical number was my favorite part.”
- “Instead of a traditional soundtrack, the game's 'music' is formed from the very environment itself—the grinding of machines, the slicing of blades, and the sickening crunch of flesh and bone fuse into a horrifying industrial symphony that leads you through this bizarre world.”
- “Its basically a short thought experiment, with an awful musical montage in the middle that breaks up any pacing or vibe that the game had going for itself.”
- “The musical number brought a tear to my eyes... so beautiful.”
graphics
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
55%
3%
The graphics of the game have received mixed but generally positive feedback, with many players appreciating the unique low-poly aesthetic reminiscent of PS1 and early PS2 titles. The visuals are described as haunting, surreal, and at times grotesque, effectively contributing to the game's unsettling atmosphere and thematic depth. While some found the graphics to be a source of discomfort, others praised their artistic quality and the way they enhance the overall experience.
- “The graphics are amazing and the game is a little unsettling.”
- “The visuals, both haunting and surreal, evoke the dark, distorted artistry of Hieronymus Bosch, while the atmosphere is thick with a palpable sense of dread and futility.”
- “The graphical/visual design is a low poly freaky experience that I thoroughly enjoy; you end up going from metallic factory-like conveyor belts to walls of flesh to Silent Hill styled vibes that seamlessly blend into each other really well.”
- “A walking (flopping?) simulator consisting of pretentious pseudo-intellectual nonsense and gross-out visuals.”
- “The jpeg image slideshow visuals made me laugh out loud rather than feel any sort of fear or discomfort, and the lyrics were just text on the screen.”
- “If it had a distinct message beyond being disgusting, it might benefit from its revolting visuals, but it doesn't really seem to accomplish anything besides shock factor.”
humor
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in "How Fish is Made" is described as a unique blend of dark, quirky, and surreal elements that elicit laughter while exploring unsettling themes. Players appreciate the sharp writing, absurd scenarios, and memorable characters, often finding themselves amused by the game's bizarre situations and unexpected comedic moments. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with thought-provoking content, making it a memorable and entertaining experience.
- “It's strangely thought-provoking, with quirky humor and an eerily captivating atmosphere that makes for a quick, surreal experience.”
- “This game is like taking a wild ride through an abstract dream, filled with moments that are as confusing as they are hilarious.”
- “The writing is sharp, at times darkly humorous, and always poignant, leaving you to ponder the meaning of every interaction, every cryptic conversation with your fellow fish, as you inch closer to the game’s haunting conclusion.”
- “Not scary, unfunny, boring, and pretentious game that attempts to be deep with nihilism.”
- “Not scary, not funny, just a waste of twenty minutes.”
story
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
72%
7%
The game's story is described as a surreal and macabre journey that captivates players with its creative hooks and deeper themes, though opinions vary on its coherence and engagement. While some find it intriguing and thought-provoking, others feel it lacks depth or becomes tedious over time. Overall, the narrative is seen as a unique blend of horror and artistic expression, inviting personal interpretation despite its occasional confusion.
- “I'm glad I held off playing this until I played Mouthwashing; the little details that are incorporated into the expansion, as well as the poetic story of the initial game, are incredibly captivating and really get you thinking.”
- “The atmosphere, the characters, the story is all so spot on.”
- “A masterpiece in storytelling.”
- “The story started off interesting, but got boring pretty quickly.”
- “The game feels bombarded with fanfare yet shallow... maybe if the game included more lore on this fish society and their way of life it would be much easier to be invested in the story.”
- “There is no actual meaning behind such a game, and which is exactly what the game aims for - personal interpretation of the overall confusing story.”
gameplay
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
79%
7%
The gameplay in the expansion is described as tedious and finicky, with a mix of walking sim elements and a katamari-like mechanic that can feel more like an experience than a traditional game. While some players appreciate the whimsical narrative and unique atmosphere, many note that the gameplay is simplistic, often involving flopping around and conversing with other fish, which may not appeal to those seeking deeper mechanics. Overall, the game is short, lasting around 30-45 minutes, and while it may lack in gameplay depth, it compensates with its imaginative storytelling and visual design.
- “It takes the already kooky gameplay and cranks it up to 11 – roll up sardines, objects, and maybe even your sanity as you stumble through this fever dream of a game.”
- “The gameplay, deceptively simple, is a profound narrative vehicle that thrusts the player into a philosophical quandary.”
- “Its clever gameplay, stunning visuals, and witty satire make it a standout experience in the gaming world.”
- “Gameplay is a bit tedious and finicky in the expansion.”
- “The actual gameplay is walking forward for 15 minutes and talking to other fish with dialogue ranging from okay to uninspired.”
- “There is only really thirty or so minutes of worthwhile gameplay (and by 'gameplay' I mean flopping around as a fish and talking to your other confused comrades).”
atmosphere
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
36%
5%
The game's atmosphere is consistently described as eerie, surreal, and thought-provoking, blending dark humor with a palpable sense of dread. Reviewers highlight its unique visual style and audio design, which contribute to a haunting and immersive experience that often leaves players feeling unsettled. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, effectively enhancing the game's themes of existentialism and hopelessness.
- “It’s strangely thought-provoking, with quirky humor and an eerily captivating atmosphere that makes for a quick, surreal experience.”
- “The visuals, both haunting and surreal, evoke the dark, distorted artistry of Hieronymus Bosch, while the atmosphere is thick with a palpable sense of dread and futility.”
- “The atmosphere was eerie, yet calming.”
- “It is nihilistic, bleak, gross, and has a crushing atmosphere of utter hopelessness.”
- “The result is a surreal atmosphere that keeps you unsettled from start to finish.”
- “The machine is rusty, covered in blood and guts and the further you progress into it the more grotesque the visuals become and it really makes the atmosphere really special and incredibly creepy.”
emotional
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from existential dread to profound sadness, often leaving players feeling uncomfortable yet deeply engaged. Many reviews note the game's rich narrative and symbolism, which resonate on a personal level, leading to moments of genuine emotional impact, including tears and reflection on themes like friendship and mental illness. The community's passionate discussions further enhance the emotional experience, creating a sense of connection among players.
- “The developers of how fish is made have crafted a narrative that is as rich in symbolism as it is in emotional weight.”
- “The protagonist's journey encompasses the whole spectrum of emotion, touching on subjects such as friendship, ambition, trust, and mental illness.”
- “A genuinely phenomenal little game with a surprising amount of emotionally impactful interactions between fish, along with some solid laughs.”
optimization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
18%
27%
Overall, the optimization of the game is praised, with many users noting it meets high performance standards on PC, achieving a 10/10 rating. However, some players report that the expansion is unplayable, indicating potential issues with optimization in that specific content.
- “🔲 Amazingly optimized.”
- “☑️ Meets the PC port performance standard.”
- “10/10 performance by a louse.”
- “PC optimization is lacking, leading to performance issues that detract from the overall experience.”
- “The game meets the PC port performance standard, but it still feels like it could use significant improvements in optimization.”
- “While the game has some interesting elements, the optimization is poor, resulting in frustrating gameplay.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and demanding, often requiring significant time investment to progress. The unique environmental sounds contribute to an unsettling atmosphere, but the repetitive nature of grinding can detract from the overall experience.
- “Gameplay is a bit tedious and finicky in the expansion.”
- “Instead of a traditional soundtrack, the game's 'music' is formed from the very environment itself—the grinding of machines, the slicing of blades, and the sickening crunch of flesh and bone fuse into a horrifying industrial symphony that leads you through this bizarre world.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is free to play, but its downloadable content (DLC) is criticized as being more of an advertisement for a "mouthwashing" game than a substantial addition. Players noted that while the promotional aspect was entertaining, it felt like a glorified marketing tool rather than meaningful content.
- “The game is free, but the DLC is a glorified advertisement for the 'mouthwashing' game.”
- “Best advertisement for mouthwashing I've ever played.”
- “The advertisement by the parasite was out of this world, and perfectly timed when my friend and I were just getting a little bored.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is highly regarded for its replayability, with many praising its engaging gameplay, humor, and unique soundtrack. Its two distinct endings and short playtime encourage players to revisit the experience, solidifying its status as a cult classic.
- “The game has two interesting endings which I won't spoil, but it certainly gave it some replay value, especially since the game is so short.”
- “Some critics have hailed it as a cult classic and one of the greatest video games of all time, praising its gameplay, replay value, humor, originality, and Shibuya-kei soundtrack.”
- “Easily replayable too!”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report frequent stability issues, with the game experiencing freezes lasting a few seconds at regular intervals, particularly during DLC content.
- “The game freezes for a couple of seconds every few moments.”
- “The DLC freezes every few seconds.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features unique and engaging character design, complemented by a strong audio experience, contributing to an overall enjoyable and quirky atmosphere. However, specific details on character development are not highlighted in the reviews.