Once upon a time, fishing required rubber boots, a lukewarm cooler, and way too much silence. But thanks to the magic of virtual reality and a very committed South Korean studio called Devs United Games this noble pastime has leapt into the future. Real VR Fishing, first released in 2019 on Oculus Quest, quickly became one of the most popular VR titles for anyone who enjoys relaxing with a fishing rod without risking sunburn or touching an actual fish.
This fishing simulator stands out by being accessible yet immersive, placing you in stunning natural environments where every lake feels like a living postcard. It didn’t just attract hardcore anglers, either over a million players worldwide have taken the bait, generating around $15 million in revenue, mostly from North America. Not bad for something that doesn’t smell like fish.
In December 2024, the game finally made its way to Steam, bringing higher-end graphics and glistening water effects to PC VR headsets like Valve Index, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift. A much-anticipated leap that proves Real VR Fishing isn’t just riding the VR wave it’s reeling it in with a telescopic rod and a Zen playlist.
Total Immersion: Breathtaking Environments
If Real VR Fishing had a slogan, it would probably be: “Why go outside when the indoors looks this good?” The core of the game lies in its visual immersion, and on that front, it doesn’t mess around. Each location is built from real-world photo references, offering a level of realism that could make Google Earth feel underdressed. Whether you’re standing by a serene Korean lake, a cozy creek in the U.S., or cliffside shores in the UK, the atmosphere is jaw-dropping and blissfully bug-free.
The base game offers 40 unique fishing spots, all gorgeously rendered. But of course, this is the 21st century, so DLCs are here to expand your watery empire. With add-ons, the game reaches 95 locations lakes, rivers, coastlines each with its own vibe, lighting, and weather effects. Golden hour? Misty sunrise? Starry night? It’s all there to make you forget you’re flailing around in your living room with a headset on.
With the Steam version released in 2024, environments got a serious graphical upgrade: sharper textures, more detailed water physics, and a generally more “whoa” level of visual fidelity assuming your PC doesn’t give up halfway through.
Accessible Yet Deep Gameplay
In Real VR Fishing, you don’t need to read ten volumes on trout biology to succeed. The gameplay is surprisingly easy to grasp, but with enough depth to satisfy aspiring virtual anglers or anyone looking to flex in their living room.
The game features two main modes:
- Relax Mode: Here, fishing is practically meditation. Cast, wait, reel in, sip your coffee. Perfect for players who want peaceful vibes without worrying about things like “line tension” or “optimal lure placement.”
- Realistic Mode: Now things get serious. You’ll need to manage line tension, hook timing, and even fish behavior. This is for the purists or people who want to pretend they’re training for the Bassmaster Classic from their sofa.
And because humans can’t resist comparing themselves to others, there’s a multiplayer mode for up to 4 players, with built-in voice chat. That means you can go fishing with your friends, chat like you’re in a canoe, and roast each other’s tiny catches all without paying for gas or dealing with leaky boats.
Bonus features include avatar customization, a personal fish tank, and gear upgrades you unlock over time. Translation: the more you play, the better your fake equipment gets, which somehow feels more rewarding than actual real-life fishing.
Endless Content: Fishing That Never Ends
You thought you could finish Real VR Fishing in one weekend? Adorable. The game offers a world tour of watery relaxation, thanks to a generous buffet of DLCs that add new locations, fish, challenges, and scenic eye candy to your digital fishing career.
Notable Expansions:
- Europe Vol. 2: Trade Korea’s peaceful lakes for 10 new locations across 4 European countries. Think picture-postcard vibes, plus 30 extra fish species to catch and brag about.
- United Kingdom DLC: Classic UK countryside fishing spots, complete with cloudy skies and serene rivers but without the soggy sandwiches. Includes new fish species and unique challenges with charming British flair.
- USA (East & West Coasts), Japan, and more: Yep, there’s even more. Each region brings photo-realistic scenery, regional fish, and just enough challenge to make you feel like you’re on a Discovery Channel special without the mosquito bites.
Why It Works:
These DLCs don’t just look pretty. They keep the gameplay fresh by offering:
- New species
- New environmental dynamics
- And occasionally special events or achievements to keep completionists busy
The content keeps coming too, making Real VR Fishing feel like a living, evolving experience, not a one-off minigame. Unlike your houseplants, this thing gets updated regularly.
PC VR Version: Fishing in High Definition
For a long time, Real VR Fishing was the cozy darling of standalone headsets like Meta Quest wire-free, hassle-free, graphics somewhere between “pretty good” and “I guess that’s a fish.” But some players particularly the ones with monstrous gaming rigs and a passion for water reflections demanded more. And in December 2024, they got it: the game launched on Steam for PC VR.
What’s Different?
Not just a spit-shine. This is a full graphical upgrade:
- High-res textures: You can now count the mossy bumps on each rock. If that’s your thing.
- Enhanced water effects: Dynamic reflections, ripple physics, and that glistening water sheen that triggers your brain’s “this is real” reflex.
- Improved lighting and depth of field: You’ll feel like you can fall in. Don’t. Your floor is still there.
Headset Compatibility
On Steam, the game supports all major PC VR headsets:
- Valve Index
- HTC Vive
- Oculus Rift (yes, it still exists)
- And anything else SteamVR tolerates
All you need is a beefy PC and a willingness to look very serious while pretending to catch virtual salmon in your living room.
Conclusion: A Must-Have for Chill VR Enthusiasts
Real VR Fishing isn’t just a game it’s a peaceful escape, a way to travel and relax without moving more than a few feet. With photo-realistic visuals, casual and technical gameplay, and a steady stream of global DLCs, it stands out as one of the most serene and satisfying VR experiences available.
Whether you’re a die-hard angler or someone who just wants to zone out and watch virtual sunsets, this game is a top-tier pick for your VR collection. Plus, it’s the only place you can catch fish, listen to Spotify, and chat with friends all without getting sunburned or touching anything slimy.
