Megaquarium

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,301 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Megaquarium Game Cover
A charming management game that's designed entirely for your convenience. Very easy to learn, with enough complexity to keep you entertained for hours.
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Megaquarium is a single-player business strategy game with an aquatic twist, offering a beautiful gameplay experience through exceptional visuals and a wonderful soundtrack. Design and manage your own aquarium, choosing from nearly 100 different marine species, and hire staff based on their skills to help you grow and thrive. Despite some bugs and a grindy aspect, the game boasts an intriguing storyline and plenty of humor to keep players engaged.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,301 reviews
gameplay98 positive mentions
grinding25 negative mentions
  • Megaquarium offers a relaxing and enjoyable experience, allowing players to build and manage their own aquariums with a variety of fish species.
  • The game features a well-structured campaign that gradually introduces new mechanics and challenges, making it accessible for beginners while still engaging for experienced players.
  • The modding community is active, providing a wealth of additional content, including new fish, tanks, and decorations, which enhances replayability.
  • The AI for staff and guests can be frustrating, as they may not efficiently complete tasks or navigate the aquarium, leading to potential issues with fish care and guest satisfaction.
  • Some players find the game lacks depth in terms of economic management and customization options, making it feel repetitive after a while.
  • The music can become repetitive, and the graphics, while charming, may not appeal to everyone, leading to a less immersive experience.
  • gameplay320 mentions

    The gameplay of Megaquarium is characterized by its relaxing yet engaging mechanics, making it accessible for beginners while still offering depth for more experienced players. The campaign mode effectively introduces new mechanics at a manageable pace, allowing players to gradually master the intricacies of aquarium management, including fish care and staff management. While some users noted clunky UI and occasional gameplay interruptions, the overall experience is praised for its charm, intuitive design, and the variety of challenges presented through both the base game and its DLCs.

    • “The mechanics are straightforward yet have enough complexity to make the game challenging.”
    • “The tutorial is smooth, the gameplay is complex, but not confusing.”
    • “With its intuitive mechanics and charming visuals, it’s easy to get lost in creating the perfect aquarium.”
    • “The lack of depth in the gameplay and underwhelming presentation make Megaquarium a game that is hard to recommend.”
    • “Some mechanics are not well explained (prestige, argh!) and the UI can be clunky to use.”
    • “The self-defeating gameplay, unreliable performance, and underwhelming experience will drive anyone but the most stubborn away.”
  • graphics262 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as cute and charming, with a colorful and cartoony art style that appeals to many players. While some reviewers note that the visuals are simplistic and not as impressive as those found in higher-end management games like Planet Zoo, they appreciate the game's aesthetic and find it pleasant to look at. Overall, the graphics serve the gameplay well, providing a relaxing and enjoyable experience despite their basic quality.

    • “The graphics are cute and suit the style pretty nicely, so I have no complaints there.”
    • “The graphics are charming, the variety of fish is great, the pacing is spot on so far, and I honestly could not be happier with it.”
    • “The graphics are simple but cute and good enough; the mechanics are not too difficult and I had fun trying to optimize my layout for my staff.”
    • “The graphics are very basic, which is a pity since a lot of the most compelling aspects of sea life and aquariums are the visuals.”
    • “The graphics are simpler than I had hoped, but the gameplay is interesting.”
    • “The graphics aren't spectacular, and it could really use a first-person view to appreciate the fish, but the game accomplishes what it sets out to do.”
  • music154 mentions

    The music in the game is generally described as pleasant and fitting, creating a relaxing atmosphere that complements the gameplay. However, many users note that the soundtrack becomes repetitive after a few hours, with a desire for more variety and additional tracks. While some players enjoy the music, others prefer to mute it and listen to their own playlists, indicating a mixed reception regarding its longevity and diversity.

    • “Musically, this game has a pleasant soundtrack that doesn't get old, and the ambience of a working aquarium is also a nice fit.”
    • “The music is super relaxing, and the visuals are pleasing.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic, and the gameplay is just fun.”
    • “The only gripe I have is that the soundtrack drives me mental.”
    • “The music is terribly repetitive; it gets me crazy. I would love to see a few more tracks added to increase diversity.”
    • “The soundtrack is dreary, boppy EDM muzak presumably purchased in bulk; I turned it off five minutes in.”
  • story133 mentions

    The game's story mode is generally well-received, providing a structured and engaging experience through a series of missions that introduce players to the mechanics of aquarium management. While some players find the missions repetitive and lacking a deep narrative, they appreciate the balance of challenge and reward, as well as the ability to unlock new content. Overall, the campaign serves as a satisfying tutorial that enhances the gameplay experience, complemented by a sandbox mode for more creative freedom.

    • “The story mode is very well balanced between how much work you need to put into completing each objective and how much reward (money, prestige, research points, etc.) you get.”
    • “The campaign/story is really fun to progress through as you never know what new aquatic life or management features will be unlocked.”
    • “Even though I don't enjoy campaigns that often in sim games, the one in Megaquarium was really well done, and you always feel like you are progressing in between the different missions.”
    • “Not much of a story though.”
    • “The game doesn’t have much of a story.”
    • “Each mission will give a small amount of background as to why the player is running a new aquarium.”
  • optimization51 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance on capable hardware and recent updates that have improved stability. However, many users report significant performance issues, particularly with larger aquariums, leading to frame rate drops and lag. While the developer is actively working on patches, longstanding optimization problems remain a concern for many players.

    • “The dev has put a lot of effort into polish, and with the performance updates, the game runs incredibly well even up through very large aquariums.”
    • “There has been a patch almost every day, if not every day, improving the performance of the game and quality of life.”
    • “I had quite a few tanks and guests all on the screen at one time in the sixth campaign mission, and I didn’t notice a dip in performance.”
    • “For a game that is three years post-release (with active updating), having these performance issues, reported years ago, still remain to this day is unacceptable.”
    • “I've played a good number of games from all sorts of devs, studios, and foss/open-source communities, and in all my almost two decades of PC gaming, I have never seen a game this horribly optimized.”
    • “While the game starts off at an admittedly smooth 60fps, the performance really 'tanks' the longer you play or the larger your aquarium gets.”
  • replayability33 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits high replayability, particularly due to its engaging sandbox mode, multiple difficulty levels, and a vibrant modding community that continually adds new content. While some players find the base game lacking in replay value after completing the campaign, many appreciate the endless possibilities offered by mods and DLCs, enhancing the game's longevity and enjoyment. However, a few users noted that once the campaign is finished, the replayability can diminish significantly.

    • “The vanilla selection of animals and scenery is great, but the workshop adds near infinite replayability.”
    • “The modding community gives this game infinite replayability.”
    • “The vanilla game is more or less infinitely replayable already, in my opinion, because of the four difficulty levels in campaign and the versatile settings in sandbox mode.”
    • “I liked this game initially, but it has zero replay value when my big facility is filled with hundreds of the same fish... boring.”
    • “Only downside is once you beat the campaign there isn't a ton of replayability.”
    • “It's good for what it is, but it has no replayability and a lackluster free mode.”
  • grinding29 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the complexity and variety it offers, others find it tedious, especially in the later stages where micromanagement and repetitive tasks become overwhelming. Many reviews highlight that the game can feel grindy, particularly when waiting for resources or managing staff assignments, leading to frustration with the pacing and task completion. Overall, the grind is seen as manageable for some, but can become a significant drawback for those seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game can feel a bit grindy when you're waiting for money, prestiging, and unlocking certain fish/machinery.”
    • “Extremely tedious to match up different types of fish for each tank.”
    • “The biggest fault, in my opinion, is that the end game can get a little tedious as you simply watch your prestige points slowly pile up.”
  • stability22 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting occasional freezes and glitches, particularly during transitions like starting a new day or when interacting with certain features. While some users have experienced significant bugs that hinder gameplay, others found the game relatively stable and enjoyable, noting that minor issues did not detract from their overall experience. Overall, while there are areas needing improvement, the game is considered playable with a few quirks and bugs.

    • “Sure, there is a lot that does need to be improved, but so far, I have encountered no glitches, and the game's progression is nicely paced between the levels that I've played.”
    • “This might be the best bug-free game on Steam.”
    • “Runs great on Linux (Mint 18.2, NVIDIA proprietary).”
    • “I love this game, but it's impossible to play properly due to the glitches.”
    • “Only downside is the game sometimes freezes up here and there, especially when starting a new day when the aquarium starts to get massive.”
    • “On top of this, mods or no mods, the game experiences random freezes, especially during the start of a new day or when guests enter the aquarium.”
  • humor16 mentions

    The humor in Megaquarium is generally well-received, with players finding it entertaining and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny, particularly in its quirky mechanics and unexpected events. While some users appreciate the lightheartedness and charm, others suggest that the game could benefit from additional humorous elements, such as more varied character interactions and animated behaviors. Overall, it strikes a balance between being a fun aquarium tycoon experience and providing moments of comedic relief.

    • “In conclusion, Megaquarium is a hilarious and entertaining game that lets you become the ultimate fishy overlord.”
    • “The funny thing is that this game passed off as an aquarium game, but in practice, this is an aquarium tycoon game, which puts you in the shoes of a mega aquarium owner (without the hassle of legal space expansion or animal licensing).”
    • “One of the quest texts made me laugh out loud.”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its serene and relaxing qualities, featuring whimsical visuals and soothing music that create an enjoyable escape from daily life. Players appreciate the light, pleasant mood that enhances the gameplay experience, allowing for focused expansion without distractions. Overall, the atmosphere is described as lovely and absorbing, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “What I liked most in the game was its cool, relaxing atmosphere; you are only focused on expanding your facility and not distracted by unexpected disasters.”
    • “The game has a lovely and absorbing atmosphere, which helps the hours pass by.”
    • “Something about the music, the atmosphere, the water moving and the fish moving around, the graphics being light on the eyes, all of that makes for a bundle of relaxation.”
    • “It doesn't detract from the gameplay, but detracts from the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Although it is really hard to lose in this game (it could ruin some games), the serene atmosphere is truly remarkable, offering a much-needed respite from the daily hustle and bustle.”
    • “Something about the music, the atmosphere, the water moving and the fish moving around, the graphics being light on the eyes, all of that makes a bundle of relaxation.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    Players report a profound emotional connection to the game, often experiencing deep sadness over the loss of virtual pets, reminiscent of childhood memories. The game's design and music enhance this emotional journey, making achievements feel rewarding and fostering a sense of attachment to the digital creatures. Overall, it is praised for its ability to evoke genuine feelings, making it a unique and memorable experience.

    • “When fish die under my care, I feel great sadness and it hurts me on an emotional level to the point where I have had to take a break from the game after losing my cherished hermit crab, Reginald.”
    • “In conclusion, this game has made me feel emotions that only the death of my childhood cat has, and I doubt I would find that kind of gut-wrenching pain anywhere else at such an affordable cost.”
    • “This is a fantastic, hugely addictive little management game with a great learning curve, and somehow gives you an emotional attachment to your digital fish.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    Reviews indicate a negative perception of the monetization strategy, with microtransactions being compared unfavorably to low-quality stock music. Some users express openness to alternative monetization methods, such as ads or charity events, suggesting a desire for more thoughtful approaches.

    • “Microtransactions are everywhere!”
    • “The monetization feels cheap and uninspired, like stock music from iMovie or a local access advertisement.”
    • “I wouldn't mind if they implemented running ads or charity events, but the current monetization strategy is frustrating.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

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Play time

35hMedian play time
46hAverage play time
28-82hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 20 analyzed playthroughs

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