Catch fish, scrape off their scales, feed hungry sea creatures, and upgrade your fishing gear to explore deeper waters in Scale the Depths.
Here's a quick look at the game:
Scale the Depths is a pixel-art fishing game where you control a small robot with an unusual job: catching fish, cleaning them, and feeding hungry aquatic creatures. Originally created by Glass Gecko Games for the 2024 GMTK Game Jam, the browser game combines underwater fishing with a hands-on fish-scaling mechanic. Each completed order earns money for equipment upgrades, allowing you to venture farther beneath the surface.
How to Play Scale the Depths
Your fishing trip begins on a boat with three important stations. Start on the left to catch fish, move to the preparation station to remove their scales, and deliver the cleaned catch to the customer waiting on the right.
Catch Fish with Your Hook
Walk to the left side of the boat and interact with the fishing station. Your hook automatically descends underwater while you steer it horizontally using the A and D keys.
Unlike conventional fishing games, you don't need to wait for fish to bite. Instead, ram your hook into fish to damage them. Once a fish takes enough damage, you can bring it aboard. Since the line keeps descending, position your hook carefully to make contact with your target before it passes out of reach.
Clean and Serve Your Catch
Carry your fish to the scaling station and use your mouse to scrape away its scales. When you've finished cleaning, click the button in the upper-right corner to complete the preparation.
Next, bring the cleaned fish to the hungry customer on the right side of the boat. Customers pay you once they have eaten enough, turning your fishing efforts into money for further progress.
Controls
- A / D: Move your robot left or right and steer the fishing hook underwater.
- E: Interact with fishing and preparation stations.
- Mouse: Remove fish scales, operate buttons, and navigate menus.
The original browser version is best played in fullscreen, which provides more space for controlling the hook and working at the scaling station.
Upgrade Your Gear to Reach Deeper Waters
Money earned from feeding customers can be spent in the shop, accessible through the button in the upper-right corner. Three equipment categories are available: your knife, fishing line, and hook.
These upgrades support the game's repeating cycle of catching, cleaning, selling, and exploring deeper water. Rather than treating every catch as the final objective, use your earnings to improve your equipment and continue your descent.
A useful approach is to keep your hook aligned with nearby fish while the line descends. Missing a fish means losing an opportunity to damage it during that descent. After bringing a catch aboard, complete the scaling and feeding steps before returning to the water so your fishing efforts contribute to your next upgrade.
