Fish on the desktop (2023)

Developer: GCN
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Casual, Simulation
Rating: 4.8 of 5, 175 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 15 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

More games like this

How it feels

A low-effort, passive desktop simulator where you casually cultivate virtual fish in the background without disrupting other tasks.

relaxingatmosphericcasuallow-maintenancepassivedesktopcozysolitary

What players say

Players are charmed by the simple concept of fish swimming on their desktop, but some warn it is not a true idle game because fish only grow while the app is open, and it can consume significant system resources.

More games like this

More by GCN

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.