Lake of Creatures, an upcoming action and fishing roguelike from developer and publisher Antenna Games, will officially launch on May 25th, 2023. Players are in pursuit of a lake monster, battling a variety of enemies while catching and selling fish across randomly generated lakes.

Lake of Creatures will be available on PC via Steam. You can watch the new release date trailer on the Antenna Games YouTube channel:

Lake of Creatures boasts a snappy and creative premise that is built on noticeable contrast. Fishing is innately patient, so blending it with twin-stick shooter action feels both unexpected and amusing.

There are elements that do take themselves quite seriously, while others are still clearly tongue-in-cheek, and they balance out very well. For example, the music is something right out of Dynasty Warriors, but the characters all look quirky and cute.

The roguelike approach, with permadeath, is also a smart way to create a real sense of adventure. It’s as if the big finale of Jaws, with shooting and a giant explosion, became an entire game.

The RNG also seems very rewarding. There will always be new lakes to explore, and any upgrades you discover may not necessarily work together. This encourages players to actually think for themselves.

It’s much appreciated that Lake of Creatures opted for a retro art design without tying itself to the obligatory systems, tone, or other nostalgia of that era.

While there are similarities, Lake of Creatures is definitely more interested in pursuing its theme. And despite all of the action, there are still traditional fishing mechanics that shake hands with the core gameplay loop.

Overall, Antenna Games appears to have made something equally novel and familiar, with a pulpy and swift theme. It feels like a worthwhile double bill with the moody seafaring hit Dredge.