Vlambeer’s Ridiculous Fishing, originally known as Radical Fishing, has undergone a remarkable journey. The arcade specialists from the Netherlands were in the process of developing an iOS version of their Flash game Radical Fishing when they were overshadowed by the release of multiple successful clones on the App Store. Despite the setback, Vlambeer persisted and made a name for themselves in the indie developer community by fighting against clones in the mobile gaming industry. Finally, in 2013, they released Ridiculous Fishing, which quickly became an instant classic.
Ten years later, Ridiculous Fishing needed a lifeline. The game had not been updated since 2017 and faced compatibility issues with modern devices. Unfortunately, Vlambeer had disbanded in 2020. But there was hope – Apple Arcade came to the rescue. Apple’s mobile gaming subscription service offered Vlambeer the opportunity to reunite the original team, consisting of Rami Ismail, Jan Willem Nijman, Zach Gage, and Greg Wohlwend, to overhaul their beloved mobile game in time for its 10th anniversary. The outcome is Ridiculous Fishing EX, a remake that faithfully captures the essence of the original while boasting significant advancements.
Revamping the Fishing Experience
Ridiculous Fishing EX showcases Wohlwend’s distinctively angular art style, completely reimagined in 3D, without compromising its chunky and irreverent aesthetic. The game’s eccentric underwater world and the thrill of sport fishing are further fleshed out through an in-game parody of TikTok. Additionally, an expanded new game plus mode provides added depth for players. However, the standout feature is the new competitive daily challenge mode, the Pro Fishing Tour. This mode deconstructs, reinvents, and remixes the game to offer a refreshing experience while highlighting its brilliant simplicity.
The Quirky Gameplay
Ridiculous Fishing captures the essence of its title — fishing in the most ludicrous way possible. The game features a brief yet addictive gameplay loop. Players cast their fishing line into the water, skillfully tilting their phone to dodge the fish swarming beneath. As the line descends, the goal is to reach maximum depth while avoiding fish, running out of line, or hitting the seabed. Once the line starts ascending, players then aim to catch as many fish as possible on the way up. Finally, when the haul surfaces, players unleash their chosen firearm, be it a blunderbuss or twin Uzis, to obliterate the fish before they plunge back into the sea. Earned money can be used to unlock various upgrades and continue the exhilarating fishing cycle.
Enter the Pro Fishing Tour
The Pro Fishing Tour, introduced in Ridiculous Fishing EX, adds a new level of excitement to the game with daily challenges set within different seasons. These challenges progressively increase in length and difficulty throughout the week. Players must navigate various obstacles, such as strong currents, trash that boosts hook speed when hit, limited casts, no gun reloads, and heavy fish that stay close to the seabed. Each challenge also includes unique effects assigned to specific types of fish, creating dynamic gameplay. Furthermore, daily quests provide additional cash rewards for accomplishing specific goals. With modifications to ammunition and the fish population, the Pro Fishing Tour transforms the Ridiculous Fishing EX experience, challenging players to rethink their strategies and fully engage with the game’s design.
The seasons in Ridiculous Fishing EX share similarities with Diablo, periodically resetting all upgrades and requiring players to earn them from scratch. This adds a new strategic element to the game, forcing players to adapt to the changing parameters every day. Additionally, cash rewards have been significantly increased, allowing players to earn millions of dollars from a single cast. Although upgrades also come at a higher cost, the surplus of cash adds a satisfying touch of extravagance to the game.
The Pro Fishing Tour in Ridiculous Fishing EX focuses on competitive leaderboards. However, even without actively participating in the leaderboard competition, players can experience the thrill of rediscovering a classic game design that has been revitalized and given new life each day.