The end is near… of the playtests, that is.
Mr. S.Hark’s ledger is thicker than ever, and you’ve all done your part hauling in monsters, breaking our code (and boats), and giving us feedback that’s reshaped the entire game.
This patch is a love letter, if love letters came covered in fish guts and tentacle bruises. A lot of what’s below? That’s because you asked for it. Some of it? You didn’t. We did it anyway.
🧪 FINAL PLAYTEST RUNS MAY 23–25
This is it — the last time to set sail before the storm hits. Bring friends. Bring questions. Bring bait.
And one thing before you go 🩸
Should we add blood and gore to the game? More guts, more impact, more mess — or is it better when the horror stays a little... damp and implied?
We want to hear from you. Drop your thoughts on Discord or in the Steam forums!
🐟 COMMUNITY-DRIVEN FIXES & ADDITIONS
🎩 CUSTOMIZATION UNLOCKED
Bodies, hats, and titles are in. You finally get to look like the fisherman of your nightmares.
🛟 DROWNING IS A FEATURE NOW
You can drown. Your friends can save you. Or not. Teamwork!
🐠 FISH MATTER NOW
They’ve got rarities, personalities, values. No more four-eyed ghostfish. Also: the goofy ones stayed.
🎨 NEW LOOK: CELL SHADING & CREEPY-CUTE VIBES
We’ve updated the art direction with cell shading — sharper silhouettes, bolder shapes, and more character across the board.
Monsters are scarier, fish are cuter, and your crewmates still look like they haven’t slept in days. Perfect.
🧭 MAPS, LIGHTHOUSES, SAFE ZONES
New maps at every lighthouse and harbor. You can now respawn, sell, and sleep far from home if you make it that far.
🚪 No More Quadruple Wishlist Portals
Main menu buttons now behave like buttons. One click. One result. Magic.
📺 ONBOATING, In-Boat TVs, and Not Dying Immediately
You asked for a gentler start. We added TVs, tutorials, and a few signs so your first hour isn’t your last.
🎣 FISHING GOT CLARITY
"Catch" is now "Float." "Throw" is now "Cast." And we updated the mechanics. Still figuring it out. Still hard.
🚢 ENGINE & BOAT LOGIC
The boat doesn’t drive away when you die. The engine doesn't explode during coffee breaks. And it gives you a warning before going kaput. Progress.
🦑 TENTACLES ARE REAL & THEY SLAP
They’re visible. They’re synced. They slap, but don’t insta-kill. Growth!
🧠 YOU LOOK PEOPLE IN THE EYES NOW
Characters track players. Mouths move when you scream. We added just enough uncanny valley to keep things spicy.
📻 NEW RADIO, NEW VIBES
There’s a radio now. It does… something. We’re not telling. Go fiddle with it.
🪓 WHAT WE CUT (FOR NOW)
We "killed some darlings" to focus the chaos:
- Spearfishing 🪛
- Steven Seagull 🕊
They might return. Maybe worse. Maybe better. Probably worse.
❤️ THANK YOU, PLAYTESTERS
This upcoming patch is because of you. We’re grateful, we’re exhausted, and we’re still wildly behind on fish puns.
Join us the 23-25 of May :)
- What you loved
- What you hated
- And if it’s time to add some blood to the brine
See you in the harbor. Just… don’t stay past nightfall.
— Mana Brigade