Big Bass Splash: a fishing game that snuck up on me

I'll be honest, I opened Big Bass Splash mostly to check a box on our review list. Fishing games rarely hold my attention. This one did, and I've been trying to work out exactly why.

A lot of it is the timing. Casting is a quick flick, but reeling in a big catch means reading the tension and easing off before the line snaps. It's a small skill, but it's a skill, and getting better at it feels good.

The other half is the mood. There's a low, steady rhythm to Big Bass Splash, water sounds, gentle animation, no clutter on screen. It became my default game for the last stretch of a long commute with no signal.

If you want something demanding, look elsewhere. If you want a calm offline loop that you can drop after five minutes or ride for an hour, it's worth a try. I didn't expect to recommend it, and here I am doing exactly that.