On May 29, 2025, FusionPlay GmbH launched Epic NPC Man: Nice Day for Fishing, an indie action-RPG blending fast-paced fishing combat with charming pixel art, published by Team17 on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5.
Set in the comedic Epic NPC Man universe-co-created by Viva La Dirt League- this standalone title centers on Baelin, an NPC fisherman who transforms into a bona fide adventurer when a magical threat endangers Honeywood.
Gameplay Core: Fishing as Combat
Combat is built around rhythm and timing – each fish has a tell indicating when to press or hold the button. Missed cues cause flinching or escape attempts, while back-to-back successful hits generate combos. Special boss fish introduce multi-stage encounters involving rapid responses and spellcasting.
As Baelin levels up, he unlocks magical abilities like lightning strike or chill wave to weaken aquatic foes or exploit rock weaknesses underwater. Spells rely on upgraded mana cores found during exploration. Alongside magic, gear upgrades include stronger rods, steel-augmented lines, and tackle enhancements like drill tips and magnet hooks for treasure extraction.
Exploration: Above & Below the Waters
Players begin in the cozy pixel village of Honeywood, complete with woodcutter, rod vendor, potion brewer, and townsfolk drawn with lively animations and comedic dialogue. Surface exploration also extends into the verdant Honeywood forest, where hidden chests and NPC-driven quests enrich the narrative.
As rods and lines improve, Baelin descends into underwater caverns featuring dynamic currents, lava pools, and crystalline vaults. The engine simulates buoyancy and drag-currents push the hook, requiring players to hold counter-directional input to stay in place. Ambient lighting gradually dims with depth, replaced by bioluminescent fish and glowing schools.
Honeywood Rebuild: Crafting & Community
Sunken shipwrecks reveal salvageable goods- metal scraps, mystical cores, and bait materials. These are essential for both gear upgrades and rebuilding Honeywood. The woodcutter NPC uses logs gathered during quests to add building extensions, which in turn unlocks new merchants and questlines.
Improved facilities allow players to craft mid-tier rods and unlock deeper fishing zones. Restoration of the potion shop brings health and mana brews, while the tackle merchant stocks rarer hooks like the magnet and drill variants- critical for unlocking hidden paths and underwater secrets.
RPG Progression: Spells, Gear & Collections
Gears have modular stats- rod strength, line durability, casting distance, and enchantment slots. Players balance weight and handling when choosing rods: heavier rods do more damage but slow combo recovery. Helmets and jewelry offer additional stat boosts and spell bonuses.
A shrine to the Fishing God allows players to donate full fish collections from each region. In return, permanent blessings are granted- like increased critical hit chance or faster mana regeneration- adding a metaprogression layer beyond the skill tree.
Art & Audio Style
The world features lush pixel work with animated water ripples, smooth combat sprites, and fluid boss animations. Underwater lighting uses shader effects to simulate caustic reflections and ambiance.
Dialogue is fully voice acted- Baelin’s gruff timbre and comedic line delivery (“Mornin’! Nice day for fishing” nodding to Viva La Dirt League’s catchphrase) bring charm. Sound effects emphasize fishing rod swings, magical impacts, and water splashes and bubbles, enhancing tactical feedback.
Comedy & Lore Integration
Fans will recognize familiar NPCs and settings from the Epic NPC Man skits. There are countless humorous callbacks self-referential jokes about grinding, loot boxes and adventurer tropes. One standout is Baelin’s frequent exasperation about “heroes who always take all the glory”.
Narrative choices balance lightheartedness with emotional character arcs. Townsfolk react dynamically as Honeywood recovers, occasionally commenting on Baelin’s progress. Quests often revolve around comedic misunderstandings like mistaken identity or unusual fishing requests.
Reception & Performance
Upon release, Nice Day for Fishing received overwhelmingly positive reviews. On Steam, it enjoys an 89% overall positive rating, with 87% positive in the past 30 days across 1,562 reviews. Critics and players praise the tight fishing combat, smooth gear upgrades, and delightful blend of RPG and fishing mechanics.
Minimum Specs:
- Windows 10, Core i5-650 / Phenom II X4 965
- 8 GB RAM
- GTX 460 (1 GB) / Radeon HD 5870 (2 GB)
- DirectX 10
Recommended Specs:
- Windows 10/11, Core i5-2400 / AMD FX‑4350
- 8 GB RAM
- GTX 750 / Radeon R7 360 (2 GB)
- DirectX 11
Optimized to run at stable 60 FPS on mid-range hardware, the game also supports Steam Deck via Proton, maintaining full visual fidelity and control mapping.
Summary
Epic NPC Man: Nice Day for Fishing is a standout indie action-RPG immersing players in fast, technical fishing combat, layered RPG customization, and hilarious Viva La Dirt League humor. Powered by charming pixel visuals, voice-acted dialogue, and robust gear and village-building systems, it offers both micro-level precision and macro-level progression.
Published by Team17, it leverages first-party polish and multi-platform release earning rave player reception and positive reviews. Whether you’re a fan of the Epic NPC Man series, love fishing mechanics with a twist, or just want a cozy yet engaging RPG, this game is a delightful catch. It’s, quite literally, a Nice Day for Fishing.
What we think
FusionPlay and Team17 have crafted a polished, fun, and technically sound title that reimagines fishing as combat, wrapped in a comedic and charming pixel adventure. From combat precision to village restoration, and deeper customization to joyful lore, Nice Day for Fishing proves that a humble fisherman can become an epic hero.