Opinion: Most Games Don't Need Fishing Mechanics

Fishing mechanics have become an increasingly common feature across video games, but a Shacknews opinion piece challenges whether they belong in most titles. The article argues that fishing in non-hunting, non-life-sim games is fundamentally tedious and often masquerades as optional content while serving as a gateway to essential gear and upgrades.

The critique centers on the core problem with most fishing implementations: they reduce to standing still and pressing a button repeatedly while waiting for a prompt to press the same button again. As the author notes, this creates a passive experience that contrasts sharply with the active engagement players expect from their primary game activities, whether that's combat, racing, or narrative progression.

Recent examples that prompted the discussion include Destiny 2's introduction of fishing in Season of the Deep in 2023, and Delta Force's announced inclusion of fishing mechanics. The author questions the logic of adding fishing to a military first-person shooter, asking how the activity fits the game's tone or genre expectations.

However, the piece acknowledges that fishing works in specific contexts. Sea of Thieves, Monster Hunter, and Red Dead Redemption 2 are cited as examples where fishing integrates naturally into the game world and mechanics. The contrast is stark: Zelda: Ocarina of Time is praised for making fishing feel revolutionary and world-building, while The Witcher 3's Gwent and Destiny: Rising's Shadowshaper Duels are highlighted as card game alternatives that better serve similar purposes.

The author also notes a significant design evolution in later Zelda games, where Link can scoop fish directly from water rather than using a rod, making the action feel less cumbersome given the frequency of fish use in those games.

The core argument is straightforward: developers should ask whether fishing genuinely adds to the experience before including it. If the mechanic amounts to standing still and pressing buttons to increase a number, the author suggests players might as well use a calculator app.