UMIGARI

UMIGARI is a first-person harpoon fishing game where the player explores fog-covered seas along the coast of Japan. The objective is to hunt fish, trade the catch for money, and upgrade equipment to travel further into unknown waters. Each trip begins as a simple fishing expedition but grows stranger the deeper the player ventures. The game blends navigation, precision, and resource management, creating a system built on observation and timing.

Fishing And Precision

The main mechanic in UMIGARI is the use of the harpoon. Players must aim carefully and throw with accuracy, adjusting for movement, distance, and timing. Fish react to sound and light, so approaching them requires patience. The harpoon system encourages precise control rather than speed, rewarding well-planned strikes. Every catch becomes a balance between timing and position. The process of hunting also drains fuel, forcing the player to decide whether to continue searching or return to port before running out of resources.

Trading And Upgrades

After returning from a fishing trip, the player can sell the catch to earn money. The economy revolves around how much risk the player takes at sea and what kind of fish they capture. The money can be used for:

·         Increasing ship speed to travel between islands faster

·         Expanding fuel capacity for longer expeditions

·         Upgrading harpoon range and reload time

·         Purchasing sonar and storage equipment

·         Repairing damage from collisions or deep-sea hazards

Each upgrade allows access to new areas, deeper waters, and more valuable species. The trade system creates a cycle of investment, where risk at sea leads to gradual progress.

Exploration And Navigation

UMIGARI divides the sea into multiple zones, each with its own depth, visibility, and species. Some areas contain hidden treasures or unique fish that appear under specific conditions, such as weather changes or night fishing. The fog plays a functional role, limiting visibility and forcing reliance on sound and radar. As players move farther from the coast, navigation becomes less predictable. The map hides narrow passages, submerged ruins, and environmental hazards that must be avoided. Every decision about direction affects survival and profit.

The Descent Into The Deep

The deeper sections of the sea hold rarer fish and higher rewards, but reaching them requires full preparation. Fuel, supplies, and upgraded tools are essential for survival. These areas introduce unexpected elements — distorted fish behavior, strange sounds, and sudden environmental changes. The player must balance curiosity with caution, as staying too long or venturing too deep risks running out of power or becoming lost. Returning to the surface becomes the final challenge of each journey, where time, resources, and distance all matter.