Catch & Release similar games & best alternatives

Catch & Release

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift • 2018

Should you play it?

Catch & Release places you on a beautiful mountain lake and lets you freely explore and row around while you choose your fishing spot and take in the scenery.

What works
  • Relaxing and immersive vr fishing experience
  • Intuitive and satisfying fishing mechanics
  • Beautiful graphics and sound design
  • Custom music radio stations
  • Regular updates and developer support
Things to keep in mind
  • Limited locations and fish variety
  • Some minor bugs and clipping issues
  • Rowing mechanics can be awkward
  • Lack of multiplayer or social features
  • No advanced customization or creative building

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Bassmaster® Fishing

  • Session: Skate Sim

  • Sip Fisher

  • Cat Goes Fishing

  • Fishing: North Atlantic - Enhanced Edition

  • Beneath The Surface

  • Good Pizza, Great Pizza - Cooking Simulator Game

  • Cash Cleaner Simulator

  • Returns Outlet Simulator
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Bassmaster® Fishing

  • Sip Fisher

  • Subside
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    Tiny Glade
  • Relaxation

    Cateau
  • Autonomy

    Fishing: Barents Sea

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Catch & Release: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Health. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Intimacy.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to choose fishing methods, upgrade boats, hire crew, and explore the map at their own pace."

    Capsule for Fishing: Barents Sea Fishing: Barents Sea

    "Players have freedom to row the boat, choose bait, cast line, and decide how to fish without strict routines."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Fishing mechanics are skill-based and rewarding; players improve by learning bait types, fish behavior, and gear upgrades."

    Capsule for Voodoo Fishin' Voodoo Fishin'

    "Fishing mechanics require skill and learning, with feedback on line tension and fish behavior, though not overly complex."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal pace and relaxation; no evidence of competitive or ranked modes."

    Capsule for Cloud Gardens Cloud Gardens

    "Focus is on personal relaxation and progression, no mention of competitive or ranked modes."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Many players report long sessions and habitual play, often returning repeatedly for relaxation and challenge."

    Capsule for Dorfromantik Dorfromantik

    "Many players report long play sessions, habitual play, and repeated returns for relaxation."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "The game is designed for solo play with no multiplayer or cooperative features."

    Capsule for Broken Age Broken Age

    "Game is designed for solo play with no multiplayer or cooperative features."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    1

    "Customization of gear and bait exists but limited creative building or modification."

    Capsule for Ice Lakes Ice Lakes

    "Some customization via gear and bait choices, plus custom radio stations, but limited creative building or modification."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are individual and respectful."

    Capsule for Train Simulator Classic Train Simulator Classic

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are individual and respectful."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Strongly used as a relaxing escape from stress and real-life pressures."

    Capsule for Tiny Glade Tiny Glade

    "Strongly used for relaxation, stress relief, and escaping real-life pressures."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -5

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and relaxation without obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Placid Plastic Duck Simulator Placid Plastic Duck Simulator

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and relaxation without obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players experiment with bait types, fishing techniques, and gear upgrades to catch different fish."

    Capsule for Cat Goes Fishing Cat Goes Fishing

    "Players experiment with different baits, fishing techniques, and boat movement to improve success."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Some exploration of maps and environments, though limited map variety noted."

    Capsule for MIMESIS MIMESIS

    "Some exploration of lake areas and a cave, but limited to one main map currently."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Character and music customization allow some personal expression."

    Capsule for Super Duper Party Pooper Super Duper Party Pooper

    "Players can customize music stations and unlock gear, allowing some personal expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -3

    "Game simulates realistic fishing environments and species, no fantasy elements."

    Capsule for Cast n Chill Cast n Chill

    "Game aims for a realistic fishing experience without fantasy elements or improbable events."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Minimal social connection; primarily solo play with no multiplayer or community features."

    Capsule for Choo-Choo Charles Choo-Choo Charles

    "Minimal social connection; mostly solo play with no multiplayer or community features."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players learn fishing mechanics, monster behaviors, and improve skills over time."

    Capsule for GONE Fishing GONE Fishing

    "Players learn fishing mechanics, improve skills, and progress through missions and gear unlocks."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    2

    "Physical movement including climbing and arm swinging provides moderate physical activity."

    Capsule for STAND OUT VR : VR Battle Royale STAND OUT VR : VR Battle Royale

    "Rowing and physical interaction provide mild physical activity, though mostly sedentary."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during fishing and survival; not a background or idle game."

    Capsule for Voodoo Fishin' Voodoo Fishin'

    "Requires focused attention during fishing and rowing; not a background or idle game."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; solo experience."

    Capsule for Intravenous 2 Intravenous 2

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; solo experience."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; purely individual gameplay."

    Capsule for Slay the Spire Slay the Spire

    "No leadership or group management roles; purely individual gameplay."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Clear progression through accumulating wealth, reputation, ship upgrades, and unlocking endings."

    Capsule for Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator

    "Clear progression through unlocking gear, bait, missions, and accumulating money."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    5

    "Highly relaxing and soothing experience praised by players."

    Capsule for Cateau Cateau

    "Highly relaxing and soothing experience praised by many players."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable sensory feedback from water, dirt removal, and visual effects; satisfying audio and visual stimuli."

    Capsule for PowerWash Simulator 2 PowerWash Simulator 2

    "Enjoyable sensory feedback from water, weather, fish behavior, and haptic effects."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Resident Evil 7 Biohazard

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    1

    "Minimal narrative with mission descriptions and context, but no deep story immersion."

    Capsule for Bus Driver Bus Driver

    "Some missions and objectives provide light narrative context but no deep story immersion."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Some planning involved in bait and rod selection and fish fighting tactics."

    Capsule for Trophy Fishing 2 Trophy Fishing 2

    "Requires some planning and tactical decisions about bait, fishing spots, and line management."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some excitement from fighting big fish and managing line tension, but overall a calm experience."

    Capsule for Ultimate Fishing Simulator® Ultimate Fishing Simulator®

    "Moderate thrill from fighting fish and managing line tension, but overall calm tone."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players perceive good value for time and money due to engaging gameplay and replayability."

    Capsule for ShantyTown ShantyTown

    "Players feel they receive good value for time and money with engaging gameplay and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -4

    "Focus on fishing and survival rather than combat or destruction."

    Capsule for Voodoo Fishin' Voodoo Fishin'

    "Focus on constructive and peaceful fishing activities rather than combat or destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -4

    "Stable, low-risk environment without threats or survival pressure."

    Capsule for DORAEMON STORY OF SEASONS DORAEMON STORY OF SEASONS

    "Stable, low-risk environment without threats or survival pressure."

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Last update: 01/06/2026