By Jacob Miller | Oct 22, 2026
Fishing Meets Psychological Horror
Fishing and horror rarely mix. Steam's Dreadmoor has players fishing while post-apocalyptic creatures try to jump-scare them, but it isn't a proper horror title. Hookeye, on the other hand, is a full-on psychological horror game. Its protagonist seems tormented by the world around him because of something he did in the past, and the whole experience is built around fishing and sacrificing fish. Every catch talks back and reveals more about his crimes.
Hookeye is made by just two developers, Mallorian and FloralNoise. Players control a character obsessed with catching bigger fish. After each set of catches, they must choose a fish to sacrifice, and picking correctly keeps them on the path to larger sea creatures. The ultimate goal is to find a legendary siren calling to the protagonist, which is easier said than done.
How the Simple Mechanics Turn Terrifying
As the fish are prepared for sacrifice, they speak to the player character. They ask whether the "dishonor was worth the cost for your pride" and tell him that "their desperation is delicious." That humanizes the fish and makes each sacrifice harder, while also revealing the protagonist's backstory bit by bit. If the talking fish stand in for Silent Hill creatures like the Nurses and mannequins, the creepy, shifting fishing spot works as an unofficial version of the foggy town.
The drunk fisherman also hallucinates floating eyes in the sky and piles of falling fish, adding environmental horror. Resources are limited, as in Silent Hill, and the character starts with only a small supply of bait. When it runs out, he uses smaller fish, putting a hook through their eyes, which explains the game's name. Once he is fully traumatized, he may even have to use his own finger. Like many Silent Hill protagonists, he is utterly obsessed with his goal of finding the Siren, yet clearly traumatized as well.
A Look Straight Out of the PS1 Era
The premise is interesting on its own, but the visuals help it stand out. Many indie games have shown how well retro, PS1-era graphics suit horror, since low-poly models and environments feel extra uncanny. Hookeye looks set to join them. Its character models, such as the mysterious woman who questions the protagonist about killing something, look straight out of the original Silent Hill. The ocean, meanwhile, has a painting-like quality that adds a strange beauty.
Launching in December means Hookeye will miss the Halloween rush, when players binge horror games. Those who want a taste sooner are in luck, though, because a free demo is available on its Steam page right now. With psychological horror fishing games so rare, Hookeye is likely to stay one of a kind for a long time.
