In the time since pixel artwork was a necessity for video games, the style has been iterated on by both large studios and small teams. The titles that make use of the style now are not limited by the same sprite computing power of the earliest consoles, allowing for more elaborate images. These are a key feature in the new Kickstarter trailer for Derby Creek, an upcoming indie fishing game by Ritz Studio. In standard gameplay, the main character can be seen casting a line onto a 2D landscape with a shifting atmosphere while the cutscenes show much more detailed depictions of him and his fish.
The official website for the game explains that players will travel to Derby Creek to fish with only a worn tackle box and must build their way up to becoming a master angler on the waters. The main gameplay pattern will allow for shifting playstyles between calming fishing to pass the time, charting out new routes to find undocumented fish, and intense hunts for legendary fish that appear once in a lifetime. To catch a fish, players must time a box as it moves directly over what they plan to catch after it bites. Once the new fish are found, players can record them in the Catch Journal, creating a list of real fish with realistic descriptions of their attributes and behaviors.
In addition to the base mechanics, Derby Creek also features roguelike mechanics that players can influence based on their equipment and bait. With each catch, players will gain access to different bonuses to improve their hauls, promoting experimentation and careful planning.
Derby Creek‘s Kickstarter has recently launched, including with it a list of features coming to the game, including over 40 unique fish types and over 20 skills that players can learn on each run. The game will release on PC with the date to be announced.