Lovecraft and fishing seems to be the hot new thing, and developer Playground Pigeon is getting in on the fun with their own title later this year in The Wake. In fact, you’ll be able to get a slice of the game this Friday, April 24 when the game’s demo arrives on Steam.
Expected to launch later this year, with future plans to release on PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series, The Wake is a little different than other fishing sims. Combining fishing, combat, exploration, and dark adventure in a world inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, The Wake sees the player searching for their long lost father, only to be caught in a supernatural storm. Washed ashore on a mysterious island chain, sinister shadows watch your every move as you are confronted with your family’s dark past.
The waters surrounding the islands are teeming with a variety of unknown and primordial fish species. The player must discover their habitats, diets, and weaknesses. To do so, you’ll have several fishing rods, hooks, and baits at your disposal.
In The Wake, driving your boat across the dark waters will attract these sea dwellers, with each fish featuring unique attacks and different arcane powers. You’ll need to dodge attacks and gradually drain their energy using combat skills, debuff attacks, and finishing moves.
Proper combat tactics and target prioritization are crucial for survival here. While exploring the islands, the player will find useful resources to upgrade their fishing rods, weapons, and ship. You can dissect your catch in order to upgrade your gear, as well as perform eldritch rituals to customize your fishing rod according to your playstyle. You’ll also have access to runes, which allow for the customization and enhancement of magical incantations.