Zen Koi Classic

About

Zen Koi Classic is a single player simulation game. It received very positive reviews from players.

Zen Koi Classic is a single-player simulation game that follows the life of a koi, growing from an egg into a majestic dragon. It features marvelous gameplay, ingenious graphics, and an outstanding soundtrack, though it involves lots of grinding and is often disrupted by annoying ads and bugs. Despite its flaws, it offers a unique and beautiful experience.

Genres & Tags

Simulation

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,974 reviews

graphics428 positive mentions

monetization220 negative mentions

graphics
562 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
76%
23%
1%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beauty and calming aesthetic, with many users highlighting the stunning artwork and smooth animations that enhance the overall relaxing experience. While most reviews commend the visuals as a significant draw, a few critiques mention inconsistencies in design among certain creatures and suggest improvements for a more cohesive look. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a visually engaging and soothing experience for players.
- “The graphics are stunning, and I have not encountered any glitches so far.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the music is soothing, and I love the breeding aspect of it.”
- “Beautiful graphics, soothing instrumental music, and you get to turn koi into dragons.”
- “The graphics are awful and it is very fun, but the graphics are awful and that is why I only put one star for graphics.”
- “The gameplay and visuals are the same for all types of koi, and there is not the slightest change there.”
- “No challenge at all except unlocking different colors, but to be honest, there's not much variety in the different designs and colors, and the game progresses at a real slow pace (unless you pay the price). The graphics are cute but not that good if you take a close look, and that pond looks more like a footbath.”
music
471 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
52%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall relaxing experience of gameplay. However, many users express a desire for more variety, as the repetitive nature of the soundtrack can become grating over time. Overall, the combination of beautiful graphics and tranquil music creates a serene atmosphere, making it a popular choice for stress relief.
- “The music is unique and very calming.”
- “Beautiful graphics, calming music.”
- “The music is soothing and it helps pass the time.”
- “Be prepared to listen to the same generic 'zen' music for every level.”
- “The only reason why I did not rate this game 5 stars is due to the music being a bit repetitive.”
- “I wish they would add new music... the one song becomes painful to listen to after the 300th loop.”
monetization
266 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
11%
83%
The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the frequency and intrusiveness of ads, which often disrupt gameplay. While some appreciate the option to earn in-game currency (pearls) through watching ads, they feel that the rewards are insufficient compared to the costs of in-app purchases, which can be steep. Overall, players desire a more balanced approach that allows for easier progression without excessive reliance on ads or costly purchases.
- “I love no in-game purchases - this game has lots of potential for diverse playability without dopamine gimmicks.”
- “Spend $5 once and no ads ever again.”
- “Another great thing about it is that although it states in-app purchases, you really don't have to spend money to enjoy playing!”
- “It's hard to earn pearls, and watching ads takes away from the experience.”
- “The only downside is the ads and how it's almost impossible to get pearls without buying them.”
- “Even for a free-to-play app, the amount of advertisements that interrupt gameplay is excessive.”
gameplay
134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
47%
2%
The gameplay of the game is generally described as simple, relaxing, and visually appealing, with soothing music that enhances the experience. However, many users find it repetitive and lacking in variety, leading to a sense of tedium over time. While the mechanics are easy to grasp and enjoyable for casual play, there are calls for more depth and variation to keep players engaged.
- “I love the simplicity of the gameplay paired with the beautiful graphics.”
- “Great relaxing gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is relaxing and addictive at the same time.”
- “I've taken one star off because gameplay is so redundant.”
- “Overall it's a graphically well done game and they have beautiful patterns to collect but the gameplay is tedious to say the least and a repeat of the same exact thing over and over again of hunting fish and gems.”
- “However the gameplay gets repetitive very quickly, and though the ability to earn the in-game currency via watching advertisements exists, to counter it the prices for slots rise exponentially.”
grinding
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, with players expressing frustration over the time-consuming tasks required to collect in-game currency and upgrade their ponds. While the game offers a soothing experience and beautiful graphics, many reviewers feel that the lack of variety in activities and the high demands for resources lead to a monotonous gameplay experience. Overall, the enjoyment is often overshadowed by the grind, making it a mixed experience for players.
- “It becomes tedious so quickly, and the idea that I might have to do that a hundred times over is ridiculous.”
- “Overall it's a graphically well done game and they have beautiful patterns to collect but the gameplay is tedious to say the least and a repeat of the same exact thing over and over again of hunting fish and gems.”
- “Collecting new koi and dragons is fun, but the gameplay quickly gets repetitive to the point of being tedious.”
stability
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
90%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent freezing and crashing issues, particularly after ads or updates. While some players have experienced smooth gameplay with no glitches, a significant number have expressed frustration over the game's tendency to freeze, leading to lost progress and a diminished experience. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a major concern for a large portion of the player base.
- “Beautiful fish and easy to learn; no glitches either.”
- “Clean and bug free.”
- “Runs great on my Nexus 6.”
- “I've heard really good things about this app and was excited to play, but I can't seem to get past that one scene where the fish make an egg... like it will spawn the fish and then it just completely freezes the game.”
- “I love this game, but it sure has glitches a lot.”
- “Since the last update, the game freezes up when trying to open the game.”
story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
65%
12%
The game's story is generally appreciated for its calming and beautiful presentation, with players enjoying the unique plot of transforming koi into dragons and the peaceful quests involved. However, some users find the storyline repetitive and lacking in variety, leading to boredom over time, while others express a desire for more engaging missions and multiplayer features to enhance the experience. Overall, while the story provides a relaxing backdrop, it may not sustain long-term interest for all players.
- “I love this game; it has a great story to it!”
- “I love Zen Koi; it's so interesting, it has its own unique plot on how to play it, and it's very peaceful. Thank you, creators.”
- “I love the relaxation and serenity of the story.”
- “This game truly sucks; it is a repeated storyline all the time and truly sucks.”
- “Sadly, the game does not function properly when you play it offline: no new quests for pond expansion, no hidden gems or pearls, and if you leveled your fish up while playing offline, it can happen that the level-up gets reset as soon as you go online again.”
- “It looks great and plays great, which is why I like it, but after one time through the story, there's just no incentive, and it begins to feel like work instead of fun.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
9%
27%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its relaxing and meditative qualities, evoking a sense of nostalgia and tranquility. Players appreciate the beautiful visuals and soothing music, which create an immersive experience akin to an underwater garden. Overall, the game is described as a peaceful escape, perfect for casual gameplay, despite its repetitive nature.
- “I love it, brings me back to simpler times with a relaxing atmosphere.”
- “Love the beautiful and calming atmosphere.”
- “The entire atmosphere is soothing, like an underwater garden.”
- “Zen Koi is a solid game with a relaxing atmosphere.”
- “The music engenders a peaceful atmosphere, the feeding koi a relaxing pastime.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the humor in the game to be light-hearted and enjoyable, often recalling funny moments from their childhood experiences, such as the absurdity of creating dragons or the quirky mechanics of following other fish. While the game is generally considered funny and relaxing, some users note that it can become repetitive at times. Overall, the humor adds a charming element to the gameplay.
- “I played this when I was younger, and I remember trying to make dragons; it was hilarious! I love this game so much.”
- “It's funny that you have to follow other fish to get another koi.”
- “Very relaxing yet funny as well.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game emotionally impactful, providing comfort during difficult times through its relaxing gameplay and music. The attachment to in-game characters, particularly the baby koi, evokes feelings of heartbreak when they are separated, highlighting the emotional depth of the experience. Overall, the game fosters a soothing atmosphere that resonates with players on a personal level.
- “It has helped me in the darkest of emotional times and relaxed my mind with the gameplay, the music, and having a past with it.”
- “Good but... the baby koi are getting transported to a different area which makes it heartbreaking, especially when you get attached to a baby koi, so please let them live with you.”
- “No running around, no clock to beat, no boring storyline.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
User feedback on optimization is mixed; while some report no performance issues at all, others suggest potential improvements, such as limiting persistent prey and disabling certain visual effects. There is uncertainty regarding whether the performance concerns are device-specific or related to the game's optimization.
- “I'm not sure if it's an optimization issue for my device or some other reason, but I'd like this to be looked at.”
- “No experience with performance testing, but you could try limiting the number of persistent prey and turning off the bubbles.”
- “I have never had any issues with its performance, not one.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game highly replayable due to its relaxing nature and the endless variety introduced by new breeds of koi, enhancing the overall experience. The simplicity of the gameplay, combined with soothing music, further encourages repeated play sessions.
- “Very relaxing, the collection element gives it good replay value.”
- “This game is beautiful, simple to learn, and has great replay value as the ability to introduce variety in the form of new breeds of koi is practically endless.”
- “The music is so relaxing, which makes the game more enjoyable overall.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is perceived as lacking depth, with the koi's design being intentionally simplistic to encourage players to invest in more visually appealing patterns. This approach suggests a focus on customization over intrinsic character growth.
- “Character design for the koi is intentionally mediocre so you'll pay for a more interesting pattern.”