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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.

How Fish Is Made screenshot
How Fish Is Made screenshot
How Fish Is Made screenshot
How Fish Is Made screenshot
How Fish Is Made screenshot
How Fish Is Made screenshot
How Fish Is Made screenshot
How Fish Is Made screenshot
How Fish Is Made screenshot
How Fish Is Made screenshot
How Fish Is Made screenshot
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96%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,895 reviews
music53 positive mentions
monetization12 negative mentions

  • Great writing and atmosphere that evokes deep thought and reflection.
  • Unique and surreal experience that combines humor with existential themes.
  • Short and free, making it accessible for anyone to try without commitment.
  • Gameplay is minimal, primarily consisting of walking and dialogue with little interactivity.
  • Some players may find the themes pretentious or confusing, lacking a clear message.
  • The expansion feels more like an advertisement for the next game rather than a meaningful addition.
  • music
    164 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising the standout musical number featuring a tongue-eating louse, which is described as both bizarre and captivating. The ambient sound design complements the game's unsettling atmosphere, while the unexpected musical interlude adds a unique and memorable element to the experience. Overall, the combination of catchy tunes and surreal visuals has left a lasting impression on players, making it a highlight of the game.

    • “I was pleasantly surprised by this; the atmosphere and music in this game is honestly quite beautiful at times.”
    • “The musical number was my favorite part.”
    • “The tongue-eating louse performing that musical was one of the best things I've ever seen.”
    • “The musical part went on for way too long.”
    • “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 whole game is grim and disturbing, although never 'scary', just unsettling, and the parasitic isopod's song and dance number is well worth your time.”
  • graphics
    104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "How Fish is Made" have garnered mixed but generally positive feedback, with many players appreciating its unique low-poly aesthetic reminiscent of PS1 and early PS2 games. The visuals are described as both unsettling and captivating, effectively enhancing the game's atmosphere and themes, though some find them gross or trypophobia-inducing. Overall, the art style is praised for its creativity and ability to evoke a sense of dread, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “I just love the gritty, vibrant graphics on this one.”
    • “The graphics are amazing and the game is a little unsettling.”
    • “The visuals are a feast for the eyes, with vibrant coral reefs, shimmering schools of fish, and beautifully animated underwater environments.”
    • “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.”
    • “Overall probably give the game a solid 2/10, but if the developers consider revamping the graphics to accommodate RTX I will consider bumping the score to a solid 1/10.”
    • “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, which itself is neat I guess but that doesn't make a game good, far from it.”
  • humor
    91 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as a unique blend of dark, surreal, and absurd elements, often eliciting laughter through unsettling scenarios and quirky characters. Players appreciate the mix of gross-out humor and philosophical undertones, with many finding the writing sharp and the comedic moments both thought-provoking and entertaining. While some may find the humor not to their taste, the overall consensus highlights its ability to balance humor with heavier themes, making for a memorable and engaging experience.

    • “The game is both philosophical and humorous as you flop through the game and talk to many other fishes who must also make the decision of 'up' or 'down', and try to convince you to go with either choice.”
    • “Despite all of the extremely heavy topics being discussed, my favorite part about this game is that it isn't afraid to have fun and allow itself to be funny sometimes.”
    • “This game is a delightful, surreal little experience that is in equal parts scary and hilarious.”
    • “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
    90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is described as a surreal and allegorical journey, often open to interpretation, with themes that touch on deeper philosophical questions and societal critiques. While some players appreciate its unique and captivating narrative style, others find it confusing or lacking in depth, leading to mixed feelings about its overall engagement. The combination of quirky characters and a bizarre plot creates a memorable experience, though opinions vary on its coherence and emotional impact.

    • “The story has a deep and philosophical meaning, keeping the mystery alive.”
    • “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 is incredibly captivating and really gets you thinking.”
    • “A fantastic little fish indie psychological horror game thing in its own right, but combine it with their next title, mouthwashing, it becomes like a connected story of the mind being told!”
    • “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
    78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is primarily a walking simulator with minimal mechanics, focusing on exploration and narrative rather than traditional gaming elements. While the main game offers a short experience of about 30-60 minutes, the DLC introduces more engaging mechanics reminiscent of *Katamari*, enhancing the overall experience. Critics note that while the gameplay may lack depth, it serves as a vehicle for a thought-provoking narrative and unique atmosphere, appealing to those who appreciate artistic and surreal gaming experiences.

    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay aspect sets in as it mostly consists of flopping towards your inevitable choice and the consequences thereof while also talking to the fish around you for their input and feelings.”
    • “The gameplay is very short; it took me just over an hour to get both endings and complete the DLC.”
    • “The gameplay is there just to be able to call it a game.”
    • “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
    63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unsettling and surreal qualities, combining beautiful visuals with haunting audio to create a deeply immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the effective use of dark humor, cryptic dialogue, and a sense of dread that keeps players engaged and often creeped out. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as both thought-provoking and creatively unique, making it a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.

    • “I was pleasantly surprised by this; the atmosphere and music in this game are honestly quite beautiful at times.”
    • “The obvious creepy atmosphere meshes perfectly with the subtle horrors and undertones of the game.”
    • “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.”
    • “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
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with players reporting profound feelings ranging from joy to heartbreak, often leading to tears. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke existential reflections and deep connections to its narrative and characters, creating a rich emotional journey. The community's engagement and shared experiences further enhance the game's emotional impact, making it a memorable and touching experience for many players.

    • “If I had a fish for every time this game has affected me emotionally, I would be a man drowning in fish.”
    • “The protagonists' 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
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while some users praise its performance as meeting PC port standards, others report significant stuttering and issues with specific expansions rendering them unplayable. Despite these technical shortcomings, the unique visuals and engaging musical performances have garnered positive reactions from players.

    • “🔲 amazingly optimized”
    • “Best game ever 10/10 fish performance = peak GOTY winner for sure.”
    • “Good message and interesting visuals, but the game keeps stuttering.”
    • “(wrong organ, fix expansion performance please.)”
    • “☑️ meets the PC port performance standard”
  • monetization
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is primarily centered around its free-to-play model, which serves as a platform for promoting the "mouthwashing" game through various advertisements and DLC. While some players appreciate the clever tie-ins and find them entertaining, others feel that the heavy emphasis on advertising detracts from immersion and overall gameplay experience. Overall, it is viewed as a creative yet overt marketing strategy rather than a standalone gaming experience.

    • “The game is free, but the DLC is a glorified advertisement for the 'mouthwashing' game.”
    • “Mouthwashing is fantastic, but I don't like how the fourth wall break at the end annihilates your immersion - it makes it all feel like an elaborate corporate advertisement.”
    • “Best advertisement for mouthwashing I've ever played.”
  • replayability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers notable replayability, primarily through the option to explore different choices in a second playthrough, despite some players feeling this contradicts the game's core message. Its short length and two distinct endings enhance its replay value, contributing to its status as a cult classic praised for its gameplay and originality.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “I suppose there's some replayability here if you'd like to switch your choice in a second playthrough of the main game, but that seems to be going against the spirit of what the game is trying to say.”
    • “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.”
    • “Easily replayable too!”
  • grinding
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 the atmosphere, but the repetitive nature of grinding can detract from the overall experience. Many users suggest that the grind is so extensive that it feels like players need a second life to fully engage with it.

    • “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.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report frequent stability issues, with the game experiencing intermittent freezes lasting a few seconds, 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

    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.

    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful.”
    • “The backstories and growth of the characters are beautifully crafted, adding layers to the overall narrative.”
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72h Median play time
72h Average play time
72-72h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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