The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfish

About

The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfish is a single player casual puzzle game. It was developed by ZIPIT! Games and was released on March 27, 2026. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

A vast empty sky, an old digital camera, and a home in the clouds…Your mom has been gone for a while, and the once teeming environment has grown quiet without her careful maintenance. Equipped with a magic flute and the support of your computer friends, it’s up to you to bring abundance back to an empty sky… all on the back of a giant flying catfish! The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfis…

The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfish screenshot

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 34 reviews

story6 positive mentions

Beautiful, whimsical art style and a charming soundtrack that create a cozy and immersive atmosphere.
Deep, poignant narrative exploring themes of loss, grief, memory, and the beauty in everyday moments, with well-written, endearing characters.
Relaxing and satisfying gameplay loop involving flying on a giant catfish, photography of fish, and gentle puzzle-solving that encourages slow, thoughtful play.

Motion sickness issues due to camera rolling during flight with no current option to disable this feature.
Some players find 100% completion a bit annoying, though it is not required to finish the game.
Short length of the game might leave some players wanting more content or longer playtime.

story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
57%
The story is praised for its seamless integration into gameplay, creating a heartfelt and poignant narrative that naturally unfolds through exploration and character interactions. Players appreciate its emotional depth, charming characters, and nostalgic, cozy atmosphere, making it a key highlight that encourages savoring the experience rather than rushing. Overall, the story effectively blends whimsy and realism, touching on themes of life, friendship, and change.
- “The gameplay loop is charming and relaxing, and it doesn't force you to catch all the fish - it's quite forgiving and focuses on story first and foremost, which felt nice.”
- “And the story is woven very seamlessly throughout, the world and characters feel very alive and the story naturally progresses as you go about your days.”
- “The visuals, music, storytelling, and relationships built throughout the game will totally pull at your heartstrings in the best way possible.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
70%
The gameplay is charming, relaxing, and intuitive, blending fishing, photography, and exploration in a soothing loop that prioritizes story and emotional connection over strict objectives. Its balanced rhythm and harmonious integration with narrative and visuals create an addictive experience that encourages exploration and reflection.
- “The gameplay loop is charming and relaxing, and it doesn't force you to catch all the fish - it’s quite forgiving and focuses on story first and foremost, which felt nice.”
- “This is reflected incredibly well in the balanced rhythm of gameplay between photography, conversations with friends and loved ones, and playing your part in filling the sky with fish.”
- “The gameplay loop of flying through clouds to spawn fish, then taking pictures of those fish to create more clouds to spawn more fish is still incredibly satisfying and relaxing.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music is consistently praised for its charm and ability to enhance the game's emotional impact, blending seamlessly with the visuals and storytelling. It contributes to a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere that deeply resonates with players. Overall, the soundtrack is regarded as a key element that enriches the immersive and heartfelt experience.
- “The visuals, music, storytelling, and relationships built throughout the game will totally pull at your heartstrings in the best way possible.”
- “Every aspect of this game (the gameplay mechanics, the soundtrack, the fantastic writing, the narrative beats) is so consistently in harmony with each other, there is a clear vision and it is executed very well.”
- “Catfish checks all the boxes you want in a cozy game: beautiful art design that surrounds you like a warm nostalgic hug, relatable and endearing characters, a compelling storyline, charming soundtrack, photo mode, and of course, fishing (fish facts included)!”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The graphics are widely praised for their charming, unique art style that evokes nostalgia and beautifully complements the game's story and music. Players find the visuals emotionally engaging and reminiscent of classic Nintendo titles.
- “Really charming art style and the writing is excellent.”
- “The music, graphics, and story are all amazing; this feels like one of my favorite games of all time.”
- “The graphics, voice acting, music, and quests are all so charming and nostalgic of older Nintendo titles.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its cozy and endearing atmosphere, blending humor with deep, thought-provoking emotions. It offers a whimsical yet emotionally resonant experience, making it feel like a nostalgic and artistic journey. Overall, it is highly recommended for those seeking an emotionally impactful and atmospheric game.
- “This game manages to be cozy, funny, satisfying, emotional, and so so endearing all at once.”
- “Both whimsical and quite emotional and thought-provoking.”
- “If you enjoy atmospheric games that feel like the perfect combination of a rediscovered memory and interactive art that is symbolic and emotionally resonant — this one is absolutely worth your time.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game skillfully balances cozy and endearing moments with genuinely hilarious humor, creating an experience that is both emotionally moving and entertainingly funny. Its blend of heartfelt storytelling and lighthearted comedy makes it uniquely satisfying and memorable.
- “This game manages to be cozy, funny, satisfying, emotional, and so so endearing all at once.”
- “And what sticks with me most is that in addition to, despite being a cute and relaxing game, it's also so hilarious!”
- “Both moving and super funny, both easygoing and a bit of a pain to 100%, both a lovely and a wonderful story about life, death, friendship and fishes.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its delightful, emotionally resonant blend of interactive art and storytelling, creating a nostalgic and immersive experience that feels both symbolic and memorable.
- “Such delightful atmosphere and writing.”
- “If you enjoy atmospheric games that feel like the perfect combination of a rediscovered memory and interactive art that is symbolic and emotionally resonant — this one is absolutely worth your time.”