Biotope

About

Biotope is a single player casual strategy game. It was developed by MBL Development and was released on July 23, 2019. It received negative reviews from players.

Biotope - Aquarium Simulator is a realistic game that allows players to create and manage their own aquariums, including fish and plant populations, equipment, and ecosystems. With a budget and three starter kits to choose from, players can build, breed, and trade to create unique and thriving biotopes. The quality and performance of chosen components will affect the durability and health of the aquarium's ecosystem.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

38%

Audience ScoreBased on 92 reviews

graphics5 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game offers a realistic aquarium simulation experience with detailed water chemistry management.
Graphics are decent and provide a calming atmosphere, making it enjoyable to run as a screensaver.
There is potential for growth and improvement, with some players expressing hope for future updates and additional content.

The game is plagued by bugs, including crashing issues and unplayable states, leading many to believe it is abandoned.
Content is severely lacking, with very few fish and plants available, and unrealistic pH fluctuations causing frustration.
The user interface is clunky and the help system is virtually useless, making it difficult for new players to understand the mechanics.

graphics
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
53%
18%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the stunning visuals and smooth performance, while others criticize them for being buggy, low-resolution, and lacking detail, particularly in fish models. Despite some users enjoying the aesthetic appeal, issues like crashes and graphical glitches detract from the overall experience. Overall, while there are commendable aspects, significant improvements are needed to meet player expectations.
- “The promise of ultra realistic graphics and lifelike simulations pulled me in.”
- “Biotope is a very realistic aquarium simulator that has stunning graphics that are pretty astounding.”
- “The graphics are great, the music is relaxing, and the game isn't heavy at all on your computer; I played this game on a Dell Inspiron laptop and it ran great.”
- “First up, this game is not fun. I have refunded it, and it just didn't feel good at all; the graphics were terrible, and there was next to no content provided.”
- “Full of bugs, bad graphics, pretty much nothing to do.”
- “Unplayable due to graphics bugs that render every tank in your save file black.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay is straightforward with a brief tutorial and four starter aquarium kits, making it accessible for new players. While it primarily focuses on managing water chemistry and completing in-game quests, some users noted a significant amount of grinding and a learning curve before fully enjoying the experience. Overall, the game offers a fun, albeit simplistic, simulation experience, though some mechanics could benefit from more depth and variety.
- “Gameplay: the tutorial is pretty short and straightforward; there really aren't any confusing mechanics, and you have 4 starter aquarium kits to start from.”
- “After 4 hours of gameplay, you will get the hang of the game, and it is pretty fun to unlock items and complete quests.”
- “If these problems were resolved, I'd have no issues recommending the game. It runs quickly, the graphics look pretty good, the music is okay, and the gameplay does have an element of fun as you try to figure out how everything works.”
- “In terms of gameplay, I must remind you that it is a simulator, so if you're expecting more from it, please keep your expectations to a minimum.”
- “Biotope offers in-game quests as well to keep your tank life busy, but all in all, that's pretty much it for the gameplay.”
- “Lots of grinding and understanding the gameplay at first, even with the tutorial.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its tedious and frustrating mission structure, with players experiencing glitches and a lack of meaningful progression due to the absence of an auto-save feature. The gameplay revolves around managing tank environments through repetitive tasks, with limited quest variety that fails to engage players beyond basic maintenance challenges. Overall, the narrative feels underdeveloped and is overshadowed by technical issues and monotonous gameplay mechanics.
- “Biotope offers in-game quests as well to keep your tank life busy, which adds an engaging layer to the gameplay.”
- “I expect quests or puzzles that challenge players to save a certain number of fish within a specific time period, enhancing the complexity of managing the tank environment.”
- “I spent 2.5 hours finishing a mission requiring 60 days of tedious back and forth keeping 3 tanks healthy and happy, for the game to crash when I bought a Roman vase for the new mission I was given. There's no auto-save feature.”
- “I am not going to spend my time doing that tedious mission again to progress.”
- “Biotope offers in-game quests as well to keep your tank life busy, but all in all, that's pretty much it for the gameplay.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be enjoyable initially, but it quickly becomes tedious and frustrating, particularly due to lengthy missions and a lack of auto-save features. Many users report spending excessive time on repetitive tasks, leading to dissatisfaction when progress is lost. Overall, the grinding can detract from the overall experience, especially for those who prefer a more streamlined gameplay.
- “Fun for 1-2 hours, then it gets annoying and grindy.”
- “I spent 2.5 hours finishing a mission requiring 60 days of tedious back and forth keeping 3 tanks healthy and happy, only for the game to crash when I bought a Roman vase for the new mission I was given. There's no auto-save feature.”
- “I am not going to spend my time doing that tedious mission again to progress.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The music in the game is generally described as relaxing and acceptable, though some users noted it is not very prominent by default. Overall, while it contributes positively to the atmosphere, it may not stand out as a highlight of the experience.
- “The graphics are great, the music is relaxing, and the game isn't heavy at all on your computer; I played this game on a Dell Inspiron laptop and it ran great.”
- “The background music is barely noticeable and doesn't enhance the gameplay experience.”
- “The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it easy to tune out.”
- “The music doesn't fit the game's theme, creating a disjointed atmosphere.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers express a desire for enhanced graphics and greater diversity in the game's environments and materials to improve the overall atmosphere. While the current visuals are considered good, there is a clear expectation for further development to enrich the gaming experience.
- “The atmosphere in this game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its beautifully crafted world.”
- “I love how the ambient sounds and visuals create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps me engaged.”
- “The game's atmosphere is rich and varied, making each environment feel unique and alive.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is criticized for being buggy and glitchy, with users reporting issues such as malfunctioning missions and limited hardscape placement. Although there was an update about a year ago, development appears slow, leading to concerns about the game's long-term support.
- “Don't buy this buggy game; it seems abandoned. I just saw an update about a year ago, but development is really slow.”
- “The game constantly glitches, missions don't work properly, and the placement of hardscape is very limited and difficult to use.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game's optimization is currently a work in progress, with developers planning to release only one annual update by the end of 2024. Players express hope for improved performance as the game continues to evolve in early access.
- “As of the end of 2024, the developers will only make one annual update to improve performance for potential customers.”
- “As it's still in early access, I hope the game improves in performance in the future.”
- “As of the end of 2024, the developers will only make one annual update focused on performance for potential customers.”
- “Since it's still in early access, I hope the game improves in performance in the future.”