MMOs aren’t all about combat and loot. Sometimes, the best moments come when you slow down, step off the quest path, and dive into the game’s side content. This week’s Friday Fight brings you two of the most popular leisure activities for your downtime between quests and raiding. In one corner, we have fishing, where leisure meets competition as players try to hook legendary catches. In the other corner, we have exploration, with its jump puzzles and search of the unknown. Both can be relaxing, and often times even rewarding. But, just like every Friday Fight, in the battle for the title of best leisure activity, there can be only one winner.
Fishing
Fishing is the definition of laid-back gameplay. Whether you’re bobbing a lure off a dock in World of Warcraft or casting a line into a lava lake in Final Fantasy XIV, fishing is as meditative as MMOs get. It’s easy to learn, satisfying to master, and often rewards players with rare catches, cooking materials, or valuable items.
Some MMOs go deep with fishing systems—offering regional fish, gear upgrades, bait types, and even fishing tournaments. And for social players, it’s an excuse to hang out and chat while still “doing something.” It’s immersive, peaceful, and always there when you need a break from bloodshed.
Exploring: Adventure Without the Combat
Exploration is where MMOs truly shine as living worlds. Wandering off the beaten path leads to secret caves, hidden treasure, rare enemies, and breathtaking views. While exploration in games like Dungeons & Dragons Online gives the player a relaxing jaunt to find epic vistas, it is practically a sport in games like Guild Wars 2, with jumping puzzles and map completion bonuses adding structure to the wandering.
Exploration feeds curiosity. It encourages players to learn lore, discover new biomes, and test the limits of the world’s design. There’s no better feeling than finding something the game didn’t explicitly point you toward—and being rewarded for it.
My Take
It’s a tough call, but fishing takes the win. Exploration offers grand vistas and surprises, but fishing delivers a uniquely calming and rewarding experience that fits perfectly into MMO downtime. Whether you’re angling for legendary catches in Final Fantasy XIV or relaxing by a riverbank in ArcheAge, fishing adds depth, charm, and even profit to your playtime. It’s the ultimate way to unwind while still engaging with the world around you
