Important takeaways
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a relaxing, simple fishing experience with seasonal variation.
- Stardew Valley features skill-based fishing gameplay that sells catches for profit.
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla integrates fishing as a key element of trade and progress.
Among the many things that are possible when playing open world games, there is hunting and fishing, which add another layer of complexity to any game, especially if there is resource gathering and management involved. Players can use what they catch and either eat it or sell it to earn some money and buy other things they may need.
While some open world games have boring fishing game mechanics or the surrounding concept is simply uninteresting, others build on that and provide an entertaining experience that players keep coming back to. Here are some of the best open world games for fishing.
5 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
A varied, simple fishing experience
- Fish change with the seasons, giving the game a lot of variety
- A relaxing experience, perfect after a stressful day
Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers an in-depth insight into a peaceful island where fishing, along with other activities, plays a central role in the lives of the inhabitants. Players can fish in various areas, including lakes, ponds, and even the ocean, with a simplistic rod mechanic that feels good and isn't hard to get the hang of. The variety of fish available to catch is also pretty decent, and it varies depending on the weather, time of year and time of day – just as it would happen in real life.
The game has an overall relaxing atmosphere that allows players to kick up their feet and have a good time without having to worry about learning complex game mechanics or going through the stress or frustration that other games can cause.
4 Stardew Valley
A relaxing fishing experience with a beautiful Pixel Art design
- Fishing requires timing and skill
- Players can either sell what they catch for profit, or eat it
With a heavy focus on farming and robust fishing game mechanics, Stardew Valley offers a fun experience for anyone who wants to play it. Similar Animal Crossing: New Horizonsthis game features fishing in several different bodies of water including lakes, rivers and oceans. The game also has fish variety that changes monthly depending on the season; however, it feels different enough that it doesn't feel like a copycat Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Fishing requires skill and proper timing, so failing either will result in a day without catches. Once players hone their skills and become master fishermen, they can sell the day's catches for profit or cook them for sustenance. Stardew Valley has a beautiful image of pixel art that goes well with the healthy, relaxing atmosphere around it.
3 Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Fishing like a Viking has never been more fun
- Players can use the fish they catch to upgrade their equipment, earn money and plan parties
- Eivor can fish in lakes, rivers and fjords
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is not only good for keeping the famous Assassin's Creed franchise alive and present players with a new part in the epic Viking age, but also because of its neat game mechanics, story and, of course, fishing. Although some people may think that there is no way that fish can live in such cold weather, there are actually many species that Eivor can catch in the rivers, lakes and coastal areas around Norway.
Fishing isn't something Eivor does just for leisure, but rather to progress through the game, as anything they catch can be used to trade for upgrades, prepare feasts, and even be sold for silver. It is important to remember that at that time trade was a key factor in the economy of any settlement, so being a fisherman was an excellent way to earn daily bread. While Assassin's Creed Valhalla is not as relaxing or family friendly as the previous two entries on the list, it still offers a great fishing experience.
2 Far cry 5
Various fishing side quests and rewards
- The game features legendary fish that can be caught and exchanged for special rewards
- Several fishing challenges and side quests
Set in the fictional Hope County in Montana, Far cry 5 offers players the opportunity to get a taste of what country life looks like in rural America. Fishing plays an important role in the game and players can use rods, reels and various baits to catch a variety of fish in rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. Far cry 5 kicks things up a notch by implementing fishing challenges that are required to complete certain side quests and earn money, so fishing is no longer just about eating or relaxing.
The game also features legendary fish, which can be hunted and caught for special rewards that players won't want to miss. While Far cry 5s main focus is not fishing, but rather combat with firearms, stealth and survival, this game mechanic can give players a nice breather when they feel they need to touch grass and spend some time relaxing near their favorite river.
1 Red Dead Redemption 2
One of the most complete fishing experiences in gaming
- The behavior of the fish is very realistic
- Players can catch legendary fish; however, it is not easy
When it comes to tracking and hunting wild animals or fishing for large swimming creatures, few games do it as well as Red Dead Redemption 2. Not only does this title have one of the most complete hunting game mechanics in gaming to date, but it also rewards players with various outfit options and significant payouts if they choose to sell what they hunted/captured.
Players can sit near lakes, rivers and ponds while using different baits and lures to try to catch all kinds of fish species. Similar Far cry 5this title also features legendary animals, including legendary fish that Arthur can catch, which is a lot of fun, but also quite difficult. The overall fishing mechanics in the game feel very realistic, as the fish behave as real fish do, pulling away from the shore in an attempt to escape.
Fun fact: one of the game's most wholesome missions involves fishing, as Arthur Morgan teaches Jack Marston, a young child, how to fish while his father is away.
