Fishbowl - Accessibility Review
Fishbowl is a game that explores grief and isolation after the death of Alo's grandmother during the COVID-19 pandemic. Made by a two-person team in India, it portrays navigating mental health challenges while emphasizing that reaching out for support is a powerful way to heal.
Fishbowl is a puzzle visual novel from the indie studio, imissmyfriends.studio, a two-person team based in India. Fishbowl is a coming-of-age story about 21-year-old Alo, who moves alone to the big city for a job as a video-editor, leaving behind the familiarity of home. Friends and family call to check in, but Alo finds an unlikely source of comfort in a magical talking fish named Paplet. Together, they navigate the recent death of her grandmother, the isolation of a new city, and the newfound responsibilities of adulthood.
Visual Accessibility
Fishbowl includes several visual accessibility features: players can toggle screen shake and sway, enable larger dialogue text, and use contextual outlines accompanied by arrows to guide interactions like selecting dialogue choices or picking up objects like a hard drive from the couch.
Fishbowl © 2026 imissmyfriends.studio
Mobility Accessibility
The game supports multiple inputs and is straightforward, focused mainly on simple button presses, some light sequencing, and the occasional movement during mini-games like unpacking boxes. Alo has an energy meter, which acts as a soft timer linked only to interactions, not any real-time pressure. There are no in-game penalties for depleting her energy meter, aside from the day ending.
Auditory Accessibility
Fishbowl does not rely on audio cues. All dialogue and interactions are fully subtitled with clear speaker indicators. Some dialogue options may appear initially greyed out, but more become available as Alo's energy and emotional state improve, allowing the player to choose brighter, more upbeat options. It reflects Alo's inner world and helps communicate her current state to the player. Like real life, while a positive response is always an option, Fishbowl encourages players to choose honesty and reach out for support.
Cognitive Accessibility
This is where Fishbowl shines. This game is a heartfelt exploration of early adulthood, navigating independence, grief, nostalgia, and isolation. Shortly after Alo begins her new job, the COVID-19 pandemic hits, forcing her into a work-from-home routine that intensifies her sense of isolation.
Every day, Alo wakes up, goes through her routine... or sometimes doesn't. Small tasks like watering her plants or brushing her teeth feel overwhelming. The game reflects this reality by allowing players to skip tasks when needed, acknowledging how depression can make everyday things hard.
Life in isolation offers small ways to cope – showering, tending to her plants, or just getting through the day – but sometimes Alo ends up doomscrolling instead. The game treats these moments with empathy and realism. Alo experiences both good days and bad. She might feel productive one moment, only to be overcome with grief while sorting through her grandmother's belongings, undoing her progress.
What helps most is connection. Through video-calls with her mother and friends, the game emphasizes how everyone is facing their own struggles. These moments reveal a simple truth: sharing burdens with loved ones can make them feel lighter.
imissmyfriends.studio provides a full list of content warnings on their website. Note that the warnings include some in-game spoilers.
Conclusion
Fishbowl begins in darkness, reflecting the heavy, persistent nature of grief. But over time, the days grow brighter. Love returns, and while grief never fully disappears, it becomes more manageable.
This is a must-play experience, a masterclass in emotional storytelling and game writing. At the same time, it's important to take breaks while playing. If you're going through a difficult time, please consider reaching out to a loved one. They're called loved ones for a reason – because they care about you in all your complexity. They love you.
Take care.
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