Hook, Line and Thinker

Hook, Line and Thinker (now known as Curious Fishing) is a fishing-themed puzzle game originally developed in the Pico-8 fantasy console. The project embraced Pico-8’s strict technical constraints, including a 128×128 resolution and limited 8-bit colour palette, to achieve a Game Boy–inspired aesthetic.

The game was later ported to the Defold engine for release on Android and iOS.

Pixel art illustration of a fishing boat on the water with clouds above, and the words 'Hook, Line, and Thinker' written below in a wireframe style.

Project Overview

  • Developer: RhythmLynx
    Platforms: Pico-8 → Ported to Defold (Android & iOS)
    Showcased: GDC 2017 (Defold booth)

  • I was responsible for all audio design and music composition during the Pico-8 development phase, working entirely within the console’s built-in 16-bit sound generator.

    This required composing, synthesising, and implementing all assets directly inside Pico-8’s constrained audio environment.

  • Pico-8 presents several limitations:

    • Limited waveform options

    • Restricted sound channels

    • Tight memory constraints

    • 8-bit aesthetic expectations

    The challenge was to produce expressive, immersive underwater audio while remaining within these boundaries.

  • The soundtrack was inspired by classic underwater themes from early console games, while introducing original melodic variations to create progression and movement.

    Four tracks were composed:

    • Intro / Menu Theme: Sea-shanty-influenced composition featuring modulated white noise to simulate wave motion.

    • Level Theme 1: A lighter, more leisurely piece designed to introduce players smoothly to early puzzles.

    • Level Theme 2: A darker tonal progression to reflect deeper ocean environments and increased difficulty.

    • Boss Theme: A fast-paced, arpeggio-driven track designed to heighten tension during advanced puzzle encounters, drawing influence from classic retro water-level music.

  • All sound effects were synthesised using Pico-8’s softer waveforms.

    Design goals:

    • Create a sense of weight and depth to simulate underwater acoustics

    • Preserve clarity of player feedback

    • Maintain responsiveness within gameplay interactions

    The emphasis was on balancing stylised retro sound with functional UX signalling.

    • Successfully delivered a complete, cohesive audio identity within strict hardware-style constraints

    • Supported the game’s retro visual direction

    • Contributed to the project being showcased at GDC 2017

Get in Touch
Group of five men gathered around a booth at a gaming convention, with monitors displaying pixel art and game levels. One man in a black t-shirt with glasses is demonstrating the game on a laptop, while others observe or use their phones. A man in a
Table with electronic devices, printed materials, and colorful objects, with a large monitor and a smaller device showing a pixel art game titled 'Hook, Line, and Thinker' in a room with pixelated wall art in the background.