New Life Sim from Ex-Stardew Valley Developer Introduces Exciting Fishing Feature for Completionists

Sunkissed City, the upcoming life simulation game from Arthur “Mr. Podunkian” Lee, a former developer of Stardew Valley, is set to include fishing—a staple of any cozy game. Recently, Lee revealed a quality-of-life feature that has already piqued the interest of completionists like myself.

In a brief video shared on social media, Lee showcases the fishing mechanics in Sunkissed City. The minigame appears to blend elements from both Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley. Players will see a bobber floating on the water, surrounded by fish shadows that nibble before finally taking the bait. Once a fish is hooked, a catching sequence begins, displaying a couple of bars on the screen. Players will need to align the moving bar with the fish’s position to successfully reel it in.

What really stands out, however, is what happens after the catch. In the video, Lee reels in a mackerel, but the game also reveals silhouettes of all the other fish available in that area. This information is tailored to the current weather, time, and location, making it easier for players to know what they can still catch.

Lee notes, “When you catch a fish, the game will show you all of the other fish that are currently available (for the current weather, time, and location), which can be a big help if you’re trying to complete your fishing collection.”

This feature means you won’t waste time trying to catch fish that aren’t available during your session. It also helps you identify any species you might be missing, which is fantastic news for those of us eager to fill our in-game aquariums.

While I enjoy cozy games, I often find myself relying on guides to track down collectibles like fish. This feature in Sunkissed City seems poised to reduce that need, and I’m all for it.

Lee contributed to Stardew Valley’s updates 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6, joining the team back in early 2019. Now, he’s focused on Sunkissed City, which has recently been pushed to a 2026 release after initially aiming for last year.