I got it a couple of months ago and ended up playing it through three times in a row. And I’m likely going to play it through again whenever Stardew Valley 1.6 releases its current stranglehold on me - it’s easily my favorite of the last few years.

I just love the way it’s set up. It starts out so simply - there are some early hints of the coming horror, but you likely won’t really notice them the first time through unless you stay out past dark, and even then likely all you’re going to know is that things get weird after dark. Mostly it’s just a simple fishing simulator, and you’re busy learning the techniques and strategies, all of which unfold naturally, as you can and do venture ever further from port. But all along the way, you’re also discovering more and more of the weirdness and horror.

Even then though, it’s still oddly peaceful and fun to just motor around and see the sights and catch fish.