Idle Waters

About

Idle Waters is a single player casual strategy game. It was developed by Ignita Games and was released on June 12, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Idle Waters is a relaxing idle fishing game that lets you fish passively while focusing on other tasks. Explore 12 biomes, catch 100 fish and their color variants, find treasures, complete quests, and customize aquariums. The game supports auto-fishing and flexible screen placement for convenience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 170 reviews

story10 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

Idle Waters is a charming and engaging idle game that combines fishing mechanics with quests and exploration, making it more interactive than typical idle games.
The game features beautiful pixel art and a variety of fish and locations, providing a visually appealing experience while allowing players to customize their gameplay.
The developer is highly responsive to community feedback, regularly implementing quality-of-life improvements and new features, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Some players find the inventory management and quest item organization to be unintuitive and frustrating, leading to confusion during gameplay.
The endgame can feel grindy, especially when trying to catch all fish variants, which may lead to a lack of motivation for some players.
There are occasional technical issues, such as lag when sorting items or problems with mouse functionality, which can disrupt the gameplay experience.

story
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
60%
9%
The game's story is characterized by a non-linear quest system that encourages exploration and interaction with various NPCs, making it engaging and enjoyable. Players appreciate the variety of quests, which range from simple item retrieval to more complex missions, alongside the opportunity to upgrade gear and discover secrets. However, some users noted challenges in tracking quest items and managing lower-level materials, which can hinder progress despite the overall fun and adventure of the gameplay.
- “The areas are beautifully designed, and the quest system is really interesting.”
- “What I really love is that the game has quests to help sea creatures, which makes it more interesting to play.”
- “With a boatload of unique fish to collect, fun quests to tackle, and even some sneaky secrets to uncover, there is always something to keep you hooked.”
- “It's a bit hard to know where quest items go and what is important.”
- “I don't know if I spent too much time looking for help or what, but given the relative non-linearity of the story, I did need it for help at times, and now I don't have enough to max my tank friendship, or finish buying my tanks, and am stuck waiting for the items I need for quests to slowly spawn, even with maxed stats, because I need low-level materials in pulls full of many spawns.”
- “The quests aren't exactly the most complex, though the legendaries can be irritating.”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
The gameplay of this idle game is praised for its engaging mechanics and relaxing vibe, offering a blend of active and passive playstyles that cater to different preferences. Players appreciate the depth and variety of challenges, as well as the customization options that enhance the experience. Overall, it stands out among idle games for its complexity and enjoyable gameplay loop, making it a highly recommended choice for fans of the genre.
- “It's got this really nice vibe, the gameplay is super relaxing, and it's deeper than you'd think, which makes it a must-play if you're into these kinds of games.”
- “Has some fun collecting challenges and mechanics, and works well as both an idle game which can be left alone for a while if in the middle of something that requires attention, but also can be played semi-actively for when I'm just browsing the internet.”
- “The core concept is absolutely brilliant, drawing you in with its simple yet engaging mechanics.”
- “Mechanic-wise, gathering karma is frustrating.”
- “If you want a more chilled desktop overlay experience with less mechanics and chores, this isn't for you.”
- “When it comes to the gameplay, this game differs a little from other idle desktop companion-ish games.”
graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
40%
7%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, pleasant aesthetics, and detailed visuals that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the cozy vibes and characterful designs, making it a visually satisfying choice for fans of casual gaming. However, some users noted issues with the aquarium system's scaling on certain monitors, which detracted from the visual experience.
- “It has pleasant and good looking sprite work and an overall peaceful aesthetic, combined with a fair bit of depth.”
- “Gorgeous pixel graphics and overall just a pleasure to play.”
- “The graphics are very satisfying and adorable, and I enjoy decorating the aquariums and exploring new areas.”
- “I did not enjoy the visual aquarium system, as it did not properly scale on my vertical monitor and the visuals were off, but the system itself is a fun addition to the adventure part of the game.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some enjoy the slow-paced farming for achievements and fish variants, others feel it can become tedious, especially when aiming for 100% completion. The game strikes a balance by allowing for a more relaxed, semi-automated grinding experience, but certain achievements still require significant effort. Overall, while grinding is present, it is often seen as manageable and less frustrating compared to other titles in the genre.
- “Did a lot of unnecessary money farming in the end game; turns out you make money in most places while farming for the different variants of fish.”
- “Games that require grinding are great, but frustrating if it essentially locks down your computer while playing.”
- “[b]Grinding achievements:[/b] Yes, finding every fish and then in every variation is very grindy.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The music in the game receives mixed feedback; while some players find it enjoyable and fitting, enhancing the overall experience, others find it annoying or prefer to turn it off. Overall, it is described as soft and happy, contributing positively to the game's ambiance for those who appreciate in-game music.
- “The music is an excellent addition, too, but you know me, or maybe not.”
- “Nevertheless, it’s still very enjoyable music—soft and happy—and it really fits the game, which is great for those who prefer game music and sounds over something else on the side.”
- “Music is nice and the characters are so gosh darn cute.”
- “The music is a bit more annoying, and I largely turned it off while playing.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that while some elements of humor, like the concept of a "bread fish," are amusing, there is a sentiment that such humor may feel unnecessary or out of place within the game's context.
- “The humor in this game is absolutely delightful, with clever puns and witty dialogue that kept me laughing throughout.”
- “I love how the game incorporates absurd scenarios, like a talking bread fish, that add a unique charm and endless laughs.”
- “The comedic timing and playful banter between characters make every interaction a joy, turning even mundane tasks into hilarious moments.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is noted for its smooth performance, allowing it to run seamlessly in the background, contributing to an enjoyable experience.
- “A fun little game that runs smoothly in the background.”
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end devices.”
- “I love how well-optimized the game is; it never lags and always feels responsive.”