Moonglow Bay
A fishing RPG about revitalizing a town and fulfilling a partner's dream.
Moonglow Bay is a fishing role-playing game from indie developer Bunnyhug, published by Coatsink. It was first revealed at the ID@Xbox event in March 2021 and later at the "Wholesome Direct" during E3 2021 on June 12, 2021. The game came out on October 26, 2021, for Microsoft Windows via Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, followed by an Epic Games Store release on November 11, 2021. In April 2024, it arrived on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. Players control an accountant in their sixties who relocates to a small town, spending time fishing from a boat and cooking meals.
The story starts when the player’s partner is declared dead after being missing for three years. Joined by their daughter, the player character decides to fulfill their partner’s wish to revive the struggling fishing town. The daughter and locals teach the player how to fish, cook, and upgrade their boat. The town’s fishing industry collapsed because of exaggerated tales about sea life. To prove these legends are overblown, the player must confront a famous fish called The Ruin. Success restarts the industry, but fishermen report a big storm blocking their efforts. Investigating reveals the storm is caused by an upset electric fish. After freeing it, the player discovers a large gate sealing part of the bay. Townsfolk tell of the town’s founding twins, who passed down a key until it was thrown into the ocean. Retrieving the key and opening the gate leads to a pair of fighting fish. Initially planning to remove one for profit, the player instead separates them and lets both live in the lake out of respect for nature. Back in town, ink spreads through the bay, making fishing impossible and scaring off tourists. The lighthouse keeper knows the cause and solution but hesitates, feeling the town doesn’t want to improve—he once tried to revive the fishing industry but failed. The player character stays home for days until their daughter encourages them to go out. They and the lighthouse keeper then see local fishermen cleaning ink from the bay to keep it clean.
Throughout the main plot, side quests involve investing in town improvements and learning each townsfolk’s backstory. Cleaning up the town and stocking the aquarium also attract more tourists.
On Metacritic, the game holds a score of 65 out of 100, indicating mixed reviews.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Moonglow Bay
- Developer
- Bunnyhug
- Publisher
- Coatsink
- Composer
- Lena Raine
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows · Xbox One · Xbox Series X/S · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5
- Released
- Windows, Xbox One, Series X/S · October 26, 2021 · PS4, PS5, Switch · April 11, 2024
- Genre
- Fishing · Role-playing
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game begins when the player's partner is declared dead after being missing for three years. The player character, joined by their daughter, resolves to fulfill their partner's dream of revitalizing the old fishing town they call home. The daughter and the townspeople teach the player to fish, cook, and upgrade their boat. The town's fishing industry had died after too many tall tales of ocean life, and the player must confront a famous fish called The Ruin to prove the legends are overblown, restarting the industry. Later, a big storm caused by an upset electric fish shocks the area; after freeing it, the player discovers a large gate sealing a portion of the bay. The townsfolk tell a story about the founding twins of the town, whose key was thrown into the ocean. After retrieving the key and opening the gate, the player finds a pair of fighting fish. Instead of removing one for profit, the player separates them and allows both to live separately in the lake out of respect for nature. Ink then flows throughout the bay, making fishing impossible. The lighthouse keeper knows the cause and solution but is reluctant to share, feeling the town does not want to improve. He too once tried to revitalize the town and was disappointed. The player character stays home for many days until the daughter brings them out, and both the player and the lighthouse keeper are encouraged to see local fishermen removing ink from the bay. Throughout the plot, side quests involve investing in the town, learning townspeople's backstories, cleaning up the town, and stocking the aquarium to attract tourists.
Reader's Guide
Moonglow Bay occupies a niche as a low-stakes fishing RPG with a narrative centered on grief, community, and environmental stewardship. Its mixed reception (65/100 on Metacritic) reflects a game that prioritizes wholesome themes and exploration over mechanical depth. The game's significance lies in its portrayal of an older protagonist—an accountant in their sixties—and its focus on rebuilding a town through fishing, cooking, and side activities like aquarium stocking. The plot's episodic structure, involving legendary fish, a lighthouse keeper's disillusionment, and a town's collective effort to clean up an ink spill, reinforces a message of perseverance and cooperation. While not a commercial or critical blockbuster, Moonglow Bay is notable for its indie pedigree (developed by Bunnyhug, published by Coatsink) and its presence in the 'wholesome' game movement, as evidenced by its inclusion in the Wholesome Direct. Its legacy is that of a modest, narrative-driven fishing game that offers a gentle, character-focused experience rather than high-stakes action.
Did You Know?
- The player character is an accountant in their sixties.
- The game was announced at both the ID@Xbox event in March 2021 and the Wholesome Direct of E3 2021.
- The town's fishing industry died because too many tall tales of ocean life were told.
- The lighthouse keeper was reluctant to help because he felt the town did not want to get better.
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