Coming Soon to Steam Next Fest: Relax by the Autumn Lake in the Cast n Chill Demo

A realistic fishing experience.
Pixel graphics so beautiful, they could be called art.
–– And music and ambient sounds that gently unwind the soul.
When I first played the Cast n Chill demo, I was struck by how deeply those elements resonated with me.
👉 [Here’s my previous article about it.]

Now, that very same demo has received a major update ahead of Steam Next Fest.
With new features added and improved accessibility, it’s evolved into a game where you can lose yourself even more deeply—and peacefully—in the great outdoors.

Words by NERIKESHI

✅Fawnmirror Lake – A tranquil new location unlocked with a fishing license

✅Idle Mode – A laid-back mode where the game keeps fishing for you automatically

✅Vertical Mode – Resize the window vertically to fit neatly on the side of your screen

✅New Gear – 5 new fish, 1 new rod, and 5 new lures

✅Zoom Out Option – Take in the scenery from a higher, wider perspective

✅Improved Fishing Mechanics – Line and lure behavior now feel more natural

✅Nibble Behavior – Fish now tease the lure before they commit to biting

✅Fish Encyclopedia & Discovery – Each fish’s behavior and effective lures are recorded

✅Character Customization (Lite) – Shuffle your appearance with a quick reroll option

✅New BGM & Ambient Sounds – For an even deeper sense of relaxation

▶Thanks to these additions, the Cast n Chill demo draws you even closer to a world where you can simply let go and breathe with nature.

I jumped right in and tried out the newly added Fawnmirror Lake!
To unlock this new fishing spot, you’ll need to purchase a license from the in-game shop.

This time, I bought the license for Fawnmirror Lake and headed off to this exciting new area with a sense of anticipation.

Fawnmirror Lake is defined by its fiery red autumn leaves and the towering mountain range in the background.
As the sun sets, the foliage glows an even deeper crimson, and as night falls, stars begin to twinkle around the mountains—
a breathtaking transition that brings the whole landscape to life.

Once again, I was reminded that one of the greatest joys of this game is simply taking in the beauty of nature—rendered entirely in stunning pixel art—at your own pace.

After soaking up the scenery, I decided to get down to business and try fishing.
…But no luck. Nothing was biting, which was a bit frustrating.

“Maybe it’s the lure,” I thought, and headed to the shop.
Sure enough, now that I had reached Fawnmirror Lake, new rods and lures had been added to the lineup.

Among the new gear were a rod designed for catching bigger fish and several lures that seemed well-suited to the species found in Fawnmirror Lake.
I was all set to buy them and redeem my earlier failure… but I’d spent most of my money on the fishing license and couldn’t afford anything.

So, I decided to return to the first lake to earn some cash.
Since I was at it, I figured it was the perfect time to try out the newly added Idle Mode—
a handy new feature that lets the game fish automatically for you.

I also tried out the newly added Vertical Mode, adjusting the window to a tall, narrow layout.
This let me dock the game to the side of my screen and enjoy some casual “background fishing” while working on other tasks.

After leaving the game running for about an hour, I had earned enough money to buy the big-game rod and a full set of new lures.

I eagerly resumed fishing with my upgraded gear.
The fish started to show interest—nibbling at the lure, poking at it curiously…
This new behavior was also part of the latest update, and it added a touch of realism that really ramped up the anticipation before each catch.

From there, I settled in for a slow, relaxing fishing session.
The newly added background music set a gentle, chill tone—perfect for the quiet, healing rhythm of the game.
As I played, I found myself forgetting the stress of daily life and naturally slipping into a state of calm.

Fawnmirror Lake is also home to a massive fish: the legendary Northern Pike in its giant-sized form.

In the demo, landing this giant might just be your ultimate goal.

Saving up money, upgrading your gear, and finally reeling it in—
the sense of accomplishment is truly satisfying.
Cast n Chill isn’t just a relaxing escape; it also offers a surprisingly engaging and rewarding fishing experience.

Did you know Cast n Chill is also set to appear in Steam Next Fest starting June 9?
It’s a great time to check it out, especially with so many indie games getting the spotlight.

The updated demo includes the new map and idle mode, making now the perfect moment to soak in the atmosphere.
Whether you’re looking to unwind or just want something calm to watch while you fish, this game fits the mood perfectly.

Oh—and mark your calendars: the full release is coming on June 16.
Soon, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in this quiet, warm world.

As you wait for a bite, you listen to the sounds of nature and watch the sky slowly change its colors.
In Cast n Chill’s demo, this gentle flow of time itself feels like a reward.

In the rush of work and social media, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
When your heart feels heavy, try dropping by this quiet little world.
You just might find your worries slowly unraveling—one ripple at a time.

References and Attributions

The screenshots and information used in this article are based on the following sources:

Screenshots: Captured from in-game footage of Cast n Chill (demo version)
Game features and details: Referenced from the official Cast n Chill Steam page

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Writer: Nerikeshi
Over 20 years of experience playing pixel art (dot-style) games.
Spent two years learning video production and promotion under a VTuber.
Recently fell deep into the world of indie games—and loving every minute of it.