Confetti’s Cozy Corner: Fishbowl review
“No matter what, you get through the day.”
Fishbowl is a game, nothing short of a masterpiece. It explores the emotional weight of processing grief, combined with slice-of-life, routine activities as mini-games.
The story centers on Alo, who is experiencing many transitions in her life, from moving to a new place, a new job, and the lockdown due to the global pandemic. On top of all of these major life transitions, unfortunately, Alo’s grandmother, whom she affectionately called Jaja, has passed away.
Follow Alo over the course of a month as she must process her grief while continuing to keep up with work, life, and all the responsibilities that entail. Fishbowl, masterfully embodies how many of us made adjustments during lockdown to maintain community and support one another, even though most of us could not be there for others in real life.
Also, this game gives a perspective on a form of grief experienced during the global pandemic for those who lost loved ones during and around the global pandemic, who also could not be present for their loved ones due to restrictions set in place.
There are many dynamics of grief explored in Fishbowl, that I myself have experienced and never had the words to express to others. When someone passes away, sometimes it can feel like the world has stopped, time has stopped, and during the global pandemic, it also felt the same.
Lockdown, being the background setting/time to Fishbowl, created this element of pause, while also logically knowing time was moving forward. From another perspective, hearing Alo’s friends speak about their accomplishments, wins, losses, and work days was a particular form of grief that spoke to me intimately.
When I lost my aunt, it felt like the world stopped, but I would look outside and see cars going by or see people watering their gardens, because the world did not stop just because I lost someone dear to me.
From a different perspective, I did not know what hardships, if any, they were experiencing, just from the outside looking in, which is another element of grief Fishbowl presents well. Processing grief looks different to everyone, and while it is important to go through one’s own process, it is important to keep in mind, when possible, that others close to you may be going through something similar.
For example, the story we read in Fishbowl centers on Alo, but if we widen our perspectives, not only is Alo grieving her grandmother’s death, but Alo’s mother is grieving the loss of her mother. In the beginning, Alo seems a bit harsh about her mother giving away Jaja’s sentimental belongings, but initially does not think about how heavy the weight of having those items surrounding her mom may feel to her. Not just physically taking up space, but the emotional toll as well.
This game balances the emotional moments with slice-of-life mini games where Alo is carrying out daily activities such as watering plants, doing laundry, eating, and more. The mini games are tactile and fun, and there are no consequences if you mess up a skill check, miss an activity, or don’t complete all of the items on your checklist.
But do make sure you show up to complete Alo’s work activities. I found myself trying to do everything, but even in that diligence, I found myself neglecting cleaning, something that is reflective of my real-life grief, coincidentally. Alo will go through each box of her grandmother’s belongings and reflect on memories that she now gets to see, cherish, or unpack through the lens of an adult and learn things about herself, friends, family, and even the moments themselves.
So many aspects of compound grief were handled gently throughout Fishbowl, so much so that it truly helped me process some things about myself I did not even know or know how to face.
Fishbowl is categorized as a rich emotional visual novel, and it is so much more. It takes the emotional and physical weight of grief in many forms and shows how that process can be complicated, vary emotionally, unique, compounding, and sometimes expose other forms of grief we have yet to confront.
This game also highlights the importance of community and how precious memories are, especially when our loved ones are no longer here. Fishbowl elegantly and gently takes players on a beautiful journey that at no time felt too much or forceful. If you are someone who is processing grief of any kind, going through a transition in life and maybe feel alone.
There is a quote that says “grief is the price we pay for love”, and Fishbowl is filled to the brim with love of all kinds, Even in our daily struggles, setbacks and hurdles we overcome while dealing with processing grief, no matter what, you get through the day.
Fishbowl also has a beautiful representation throughout the game that makes the community and characters players experience feel alive and real.
Fishbowl is available now on Steam and PlayStation 5 for $9.99 USD. Thank you to imissmyfriends.studio and Wholesome Games for the code to experience this beautiful game.
Rating: 10/10
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