How to Fish supports 1-4 player online co-op, so you can play with up to three friends in Dazed Games’ fishing-shooter campaign.
Yes, How to Fish supports 1-4 player online co-op, letting you tackle most of the campaign with up to three friends. Dazed Games launched the physics-based fishing game on Steam on August 20, 2026, but despite the name, it’s also a shooter: you hunt sea creatures with guns, upgrade your boat, and fight bosses across five islands.
Does How to Fish have co-op?
Yes. The release supports 1-4 players through online co-op, so you and up to three friends can share the same run over the internet. It’s a drop-in PvE experience where everyone progresses through the same campaign together rather than competing.
What teaming up changes in a run
| Co-op detail | What it means |
|---|---|
| Player count | 1 to 4 players in a single run |
| Online co-op | Play together over the internet; the game is tagged online co-op, not local split-screen |
| Revives | Teammates can revive a downed player, so a single death doesn’t end the outing |
| Boss fights | Extra players bring extra firepower, so bosses fall faster with a group |
| Costs to watch | Prices quoted from co-op runs are multiplayer figures; some weapon upgrades run cheaper solo |
Key Bringing friends doesn’t change the core loop: catch and kill creatures, sell them for money, invest that money in better gear and boat upgrades, then complete quests and fight bosses to unlock later islands. Co-op makes that loop faster and more survivable. More players put more guns into every fight, while revives let you bring a downed teammate back instead of losing the moment to a single death.
Before you start a co-op run
Play most of the game with friends. Boss fights and normal progression move faster with more guns, and revives give the group a valuable safety net. The exception is the Bean achievement, which requires you to finish the entire game within an hour. Attempt Bean solo and keep a separate save file for it instead of using the run you play casually with your group.
Multiplayer and solo prices can differ. The in-game figures commonly used for planning come from co-op runs, and some weapon upgrades cost less when playing alone. Co-op also pools the group’s money into a shared pot. Use specific price figures as co-op ballparks rather than fixed solo costs.
Keep a dedicated save file for the Bean speedrun and play everything else in co-op — the two goals pull in opposite directions.
When a co-op session won’t start
The create-session button can fail to respond, leaving the co-op session unable to start. At least one player has encountered this exact problem on the game’s Steam forum. There is currently no published cause or fix, so watch Dazed Games’ updates for a patch if it happens to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does How to Fish have local couch co-op?
No. Multiplayer uses online co-op, so you connect with friends over the internet rather than sharing one screen or machine. There is no split-screen or local couch option.
Do you need co-op to finish the game?
No. The game supports 1 to 4 players, and you can complete the full campaign solo. Co-op makes fights and general progression easier through extra firepower and revives, but it isn’t required.
Should you attempt Bean in co-op?
No. Attempt Bean solo. Finishing the game within one hour is easier alone, so use a separate save that you don’t touch during your normal co-op playthrough.
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