Chillquarium

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,586 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Chillquarium Game Cover
Starting at €5.89Buy now
Get on Steam

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.

Play Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,586 reviews
gameplay28 positive mentions
grinding60 negative mentions
  • gameplay182 mentions

    The gameplay of this game is characterized as simplistic and repetitive, primarily revolving around buying fish packs, feeding fish, and selling them for profit, which can quickly become tedious. While the aesthetic and gacha mechanics are appreciated, many players feel that the lack of depth, unique mechanics, and engaging end-game content detracts from the overall experience, making it more of a passive screensaver than a fully-fledged game. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy idle games but may leave others wanting more interactive and rewarding gameplay elements.

    • “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 feels relaxing and fun.”
    • “The gameplay is relatively simple, but this also contributes to its charm.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “The current methods of grinding don't fit well with the otherwise low effort gameplay; it's very not chill.”
  • music148 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and soothing qualities, making it an ideal background for players looking to unwind or focus on other tasks. 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, contributing to its appeal as a casual, idle experience.

    • “The gentle movements of the fish along with the soothing background music set the atmosphere for concentration and relaxation.”
    • “The music is calming, changing the lighting is cool, and I like the 'chill' mode where the HUD is disabled.”
    • “The calming soundtrack, the gentle ripple of water, and the serene ambiance create an atmosphere of pure tranquility.”
    • “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.”
    • “From the music cutting in and out (going silent often for minutes at a time), to the absurd wait times for basic progress in the game’s myriad meters and features, Chillquarium makes me feel anything but chill.”
  • graphics120 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and cute art style, featuring vibrant colors and fluid animations that enhance the relaxing atmosphere. While many players appreciate the pixel graphics and overall aesthetic, some express a desire for more variety and improvement in certain visual elements. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a delightful experience for those who enjoy casual, idle gameplay.

    • “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.”
    • “The graphics are cute, but that's all I can say about this 'game'. The actual 'game' part is basically nothing except a gacha-esque mechanic, and it makes almost zero progress.”
  • grinding62 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly when attempting to achieve 100% completion. Players find the process of collecting rare fish through repetitive pack openings and manual sorting to be frustrating, detracting from the otherwise relaxing nature of the game. While some enjoy the addictive collection element, many recommend approaching the game casually rather than aiming for all achievements due to the grindy mechanics.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Really good concept of a game, but way too grindy for even an idler.”
    • “The gameplay is tedious and unrewarding, lacking the depth and strategy that could make even the simplest idle games enjoyable.”
    • “It's so tedious going for golden or rainbow.”
  • monetization26 mentions

    The game is praised for its complete lack of microtransactions, offering a one-time payment model that enhances the player experience without the pressure to spend more. Reviewers appreciate the absence of in-game purchases, which allows for a more relaxed and enjoyable gameplay experience, contrasting it with many other games that rely on monetization strategies. Overall, the game's approach to monetization is seen as a refreshing change in the industry, promoting accessibility and player satisfaction.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Another huge plus is the complete and utter lack of microtransactions that could have riddled this game like so many others.”
  • story18 mentions

    The game lacks a traditional narrative, with many users noting the absence of a structured story or quest system. Players describe the experience as more of a casual, open-ended activity without significant objectives or rewards, leading to a sense of aimlessness. Overall, the story aspect is minimal, focusing instead on the player's personal journey of collecting and managing fish.

    • “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 getting new fish and growing your tank feels kind of secondary, like just a thing for you to do, like a never-ending side quest that only really ends when you want it to. 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.”
    • “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?”
    • “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.”
    • “The getting new fish and growing your tank feels kinda secondary like just a thing for you to do like a never-ending side quest that only really ends when you want it to.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its calming and relaxing qualities, enhanced by soothing music, gentle visuals, and a serene ambiance. Players appreciate the art style and sound design, which together create a tranquil experience that encourages concentration and enjoyment. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a perfect blend of peacefulness and charm, making it an ideal choice for casual, idle gameplay.

    • “The gentle movements of the fish along with the soothing background music set the atmosphere for concentration and relaxation.”
    • “Overall a lovely game with a relaxed atmosphere with simple controls and rewarding gameplay.”
    • “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.”
  • humor15 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its whimsical and lighthearted tone, with players enjoying the amusing visuals of colorful fish and the quirky mechanics of the idle gameplay. Many users find the comedic elements, such as the funny numbers and lootbox system, to enhance their overall experience, making it a delightful and entertaining way to unwind. The game's charm lies in its ability to evoke laughter and joy through its playful design and engaging progression.

    • “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 little suckers that make more than I'll ever dream of.”
    • “Progression is slow, but that's expected for a game where the main appeal is to sit back, relax, and feed funny fish idly.”
    • “Funny and cute idle game.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    Players find the game to be a heartfelt and wholesome experience, characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics that evoke a comforting and relaxing atmosphere. The charming art style and addictive gameplay loop encourage daily engagement, making it a delightful escape for users of all ages. Overall, the emotional appeal lies in its ability to create a sense of joy and satisfaction through 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.”
    • “I started Chillquarium on September 9th, 2023, and I got the last of the upgrades on November 14th, 2023, and I'm happy to say that this game is perfectly good and wholesome.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized due to persistent freezing during transitions, such as tank transfers and list sorting, which disrupts gameplay. Users also report glitches that can lead to lost progress and clunky, buggy menus, indicating a need for 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 content. 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.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Players express concerns about the game's replayability, citing long wait times for fish maturation and upgrades as major drawbacks that detract from active gameplay. Many feel that without additional content or stages, the game lacks sufficient replay value, leading to uninstallation and little desire to return.

    • “🎮 Replayability 🎮”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its lightweight performance, allowing for a smooth experience despite a slow early progression. The vibrant art and engaging ambiance contribute positively to the overall enjoyment.

    • “The progression early on is fairly slow; however, the fantastic art, extremely lightweight performance, and ambiance of the many colorful fish make this an instant win.”
    • “Save all of that efficient analysis and optimization for the real world.”
    • “The game's optimization is severely lacking, making it frustrating to play.”
    • “I expected better performance, but the optimization issues are a major letdown.”
    • “The game runs poorly on my system, and the optimization feels rushed and incomplete.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Chillquarium

Play time

47hMedian play time
80hAverage play time
12-148hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games