Chillquarium

About

Chillquarium is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Ben Reber and was released on September 6, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

Chillquarium is a soothing idle game where you purchase, raise, and sell fish to earn profits. Unlock booster packs to discover rare fish, create feeding frenzies to accelerate growth, and collect unique fish with color variants. Customize your aquarium and enjoy day-night cycles as you unwind in this peaceful game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,075 reviews

gameplay56 positive mentions

grinding116 negative mentions

gameplay
358 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
75%
9%
The gameplay of this game is largely characterized as simplistic and repetitive, primarily revolving around buying fish packs, feeding fish to accelerate their growth, and selling them for profit. Many players find the mechanics shallow, lacking depth and variety, which leads to a tedious experience over time, often feeling more like a screensaver than an engaging game. While the aesthetic and gacha elements are appreciated, the overall consensus is that the game needs more robust mechanics and features to enhance long-term enjoyment.
- “The gameplay loop is very satisfying - get fish, raise fish, sell fish, get fish.”
- “I love the 'card pack' mechanic when it comes to getting new fish and progression (while a little slow, but it is an idle game) feels relaxing and fun.”
- “I genuinely look forward to checking in on my fish every day, even though it's not a ton of 'gameplay' it's so gratifying watching your aquarium/money grow day by day.”
- “The gameplay loop consists of buying baby fish, feeding them until they are fully grown, selling them for a profit, then buying more baby fish to replenish the population in order to keep making money.”
- “There are so few mechanics and things for you to do that you're really just watching a screensaver as numbers go up.”
- “The gameplay is mostly figuring out how to make money efficiently with your fish, which I do enjoy, but it's not quite intricate enough to be satisfying.”
music
287 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and relaxing qualities, often described as lofi acoustic or chillhop, making it an ideal background for casual play or relaxation. However, many users express a desire for more variety in the soundtrack, as the limited number of tracks can become repetitive over time. Overall, the calming ambiance created by the music enhances the game's tranquil atmosphere, though some players note occasional issues with the music cutting out unexpectedly.
- “The gentle movements of the fish along with the soothing background music set the atmosphere for concentration and relaxation.”
- “The soothing music, combined with the gentle movements of the virtual fish, creates a tranquil ambiance that effectively dissipates any lingering frustration or rage from previous gaming endeavors.”
- “The music is very relaxing and I love making the tank prettier!”
- “The soundtrack is relaxing, but not varied enough.”
- “It's not because the music is bad or anything—quite the opposite, actually—it's because there's only a handful of short tracks in the game, and they get repetitive very quickly when they're all playing in a loop one after the other without a break.”
- “Music might get a bit repetitive but if you're gonna be doing something else anyways just mute and listen to your music.”
graphics
235 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
55%
1%
The graphics of Chillquarium are widely praised for their cute and charming art style, featuring vibrant colors and fluid animations that create a relaxing atmosphere. While many players appreciate the aesthetic appeal and simplicity of the visuals, some critique the lack of variety in decorations and the overall pixel art quality, suggesting that improvements could enhance the experience. Overall, the game's graphics contribute significantly to its calming and enjoyable gameplay, making it a delightful choice for fans of idle games.
- “From the moment you start Chillquarium, you'll be reeled in by its stunning visuals and soothing sounds.”
- “The graphics are nothing short of turtle-y amazing, with vibrant colors and fluid animations that make every fish and plant come to life.”
- “I love the simple but cute graphics; all of the fish look exactly how I'd imagine a cutesy version of their real-life counterparts to be.”
- “Despite its soothing aquarium visuals, the game’s core loop quickly becomes monotonous, with little incentive to keep playing.”
- “- the decorations mostly look awful, I feel like the art style is a weird mix of trying to be pixelated but also anti-aliased at the same time.”
- “However, I would really like to see an improvement on the art style of the game, as all the assets look like artificially upscaled pixel art.”
grinding
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
2%
97%
The game is widely criticized for its excessive grinding, particularly when attempting to unlock rare fish variants and complete achievements, which many players find tedious and time-consuming. While some enjoy the addictive nature of collecting fish, the repetitive mechanics and reliance on RNG lead to frustration, especially for those seeking a more casual or relaxing experience. Overall, the grinding aspect detracts from the game's charm, making it less appealing for players who prefer a more engaging gameplay loop.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “At the end of the game, it is true that a lot of grinding is required since the only way to unlock the golden variants is to open packs - sell fish - open packs - sell fish and repeat until you get lucky.”
- “It's not worth the hours upon hours of grinding; I shouldn't have done it.”
- “I really want to like this because it's adorable and the mechanics are really fun, but I found it way too difficult and tedious to earn in-game currency, even with the less clicking option. It kind of took the fun out of it, as instead of relaxing with the fish, I was watching minutes pass while clicking a shrimp 46,000 times.”
monetization
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
65%
23%
The game is praised for its complete lack of microtransactions, offering a one-time purchase model that enhances the player experience without the pressure to spend more money. Reviewers appreciate the accessibility and enjoyment it provides, contrasting it with other games that rely heavily on in-game purchases and ads. While some see potential for additional monetization options like cosmetic items, the consensus is that the absence of microtransactions is a significant positive aspect.
- “It's rare to find a game that values the player's experience over monetization, and Chillquarium accomplishes this brilliantly.”
- “The low cost of entry and the lack of in-game purchases make it an accessible and enjoyable option for anyone looking to unwind without breaking the bank.”
- “This game is well worth the price and there are no microtransactions.”
- “There is so much missed opportunity in this game, it seriously feels like a cash grab.”
- “Miles better than most casual games these days if you ask me, all stuck on the mobile platform with bad free-to-play mechanics and full of ads.”
- “Unlike other idle games that encourage you to get the most of something as quickly as possible (in some cases in order to convince you to engage in microtransactions), Chillquarium encourages you to build your aquarium at your own pace.”
story
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
70%
22%
The game lacks a traditional story, with many users noting the absence of quests, narrative depth, or engaging mechanics. Players describe the experience as more of a casual, open-ended activity focused on collecting fish rather than a structured journey with clear objectives. Overall, the narrative elements are minimal, leaving players to create their own meaning through gameplay.
- “Moral of the story, you never know what life holds in store for you, and if I would have given up when all the odds were stacked against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “The process of getting new fish and growing your tank feels kind of secondary, like just a thing for you to do. It's a never-ending side quest that only really ends when you want it to, or I guess until you fill out the fish dex. It's one of those games where you can either experience the whole game in 1 hour or a few hundred (probably thousands if I'm being real). It's your own little fishy journey, and the fish will always be there in the chillquarium, chilling.”
- “Some form of quest system that rewards the player for collecting a wide variety of fish would incentivize discovering lower-value fish and buying lower-price packs.”
- “There's nothing to do, no reward for active play, no reason to keep the game open, basically no upgrades, no quests aside from the tutorial, and no story.”
- “No story, no mechanics like buying something to help you feed the fish, no busywork side tasks like cleaning the fish tank or anything, no hunger meters for the fish to keep track of.”
- “There also seems to be some sort of quest system but I for the life of me could not find a menu or anything telling me what my current quest even is, maybe this was a bug?”
atmosphere
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
32%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its calming and relaxing qualities, enhanced by soothing music, gentle visuals, and serene sound design. Players appreciate the tranquil ambiance created by the gentle movements of fish and the nostalgic soundtrack, making it an ideal environment for concentration and relaxation. Overall, the game's art style and non-intrusive atmosphere contribute to a delightful and immersive experience.
- “Overall a lovely game with a relaxed atmosphere, simple controls, and rewarding gameplay.”
- “I love the adorable pixel art and the music, which also adds to the calming atmosphere.”
- “It's not as 'addicting' and sometimes the pace is sub-optimal, but the relaxing atmosphere and pretty graphics make up for it.”
- “The calming soundtrack, the gentle ripple of water, and the serene ambiance create an atmosphere of pure tranquility.”
- “The game has a very non-intrusive atmosphere.”
humor
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently praised, with players finding it both funny and charming, particularly in the context of its idle gameplay and quirky fish designs. Many reviews highlight the lighthearted nature of the game, describing it as a relaxing experience filled with amusing elements, such as the "funny numbers" and colorful fish. Overall, the game's comedic appeal contributes significantly to its enjoyment, making it a delightful choice for players looking for a humorous idle game.
- “Progression is slow, but that's expected for a game where the main appeal is to sit back, relax, and feed funny fish idly.”
- “I don't know what to say other than I have become bewitched with the pretty fish bouncing around my screen and the funny numbers that go up when I clock out of my job and come home to force feed these lil suckers that make more than I'll ever dream of.”
- “Funny&cute idle game”
emotional
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players describe the game as a heartfelt and wholesome experience, emphasizing its simplicity and comforting atmosphere. The charmingly drawn fish and the engaging gameplay loop create a relaxing environment that encourages daily interaction, making it appealing for both adults and children. Overall, the emotional tone is one of joy and satisfaction derived from nurturing virtual aquariums.
- “This game is so wholesome and simple, but still makes you want to log in every day to check up on your tanks and roll for more fish.”
- “The fish are sweetly drawn, it has a wholesome and comforting feel.”
- “This game is simple, cute, relaxing, and wholesome.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is frequently criticized due to persistent freezing during key actions like transferring tanks or sorting lists, which disrupts gameplay. Users report various glitches, including progress loss, and describe the menus as clunky and buggy, indicating a need for significant improvements in overall stability.
- “When transferring from one tank to another, or sorting a list, the game freezes in order to load in the new stuff, so instead of loading it in the background while you're playing, it just freezes your game, every single time, to do what you want it to do.”
- “Deletes progress and glitches.”
- “Also, the menus are surprisingly clunky and buggy for a menu-driven game.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with players expressing disappointment over the absence of additional content and gameplay options. Many feel that the current mechanics lead to long wait times with minimal engagement, resulting in a diminished incentive to return unless significant updates are made.
- “I also don't see any replay value. I've uninstalled it now and I don't expect to return to it unless there are more stages added, more fish, etc. There's nothing else I can do, no other way to play it.”
- “For the other things, lowering the amount of time it takes for fish to reach maturity, as well as the time it takes for them to generate money, would help to make the game more playable. If not that, then drastically decreasing the amount each upgrade costs would also be a blessing to the players, as the game will take hours upon hours to 'complete' in its current state, but most of this time is spent waiting for things to happen, rather than actually playing the game.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game features lightweight performance and impressive art, contributing to a visually appealing experience, though players note that progression can be slow at the beginning. Overall, the optimization is well-received, enhancing the game's ambiance.
- “The progression early on is fairly slow, however the fantastic art, extremely lightweight performance, and ambience of the many colourful fish make this an instant win.”
- “Save all of that efficient analysis and optimization for the real world.”