Aquarist – Review

xboxoldies.com:

Tell me there’s a new sim, tycoon or business management game on the horizon and I’m first in line, after working in a pet shop in my younger years, I’ve been excited to get my hands wet with the aquarium simulator – Aquarist.

Starting off as a spritely 14-year-old, your father decides to reward you with your very own aquarium, within minutes you’re adding gravel, plants and decorations before introducing a few goldfish who’ll breed like crazy, allowing you to sell a few to fund your fish keeping habits.

This first stage is all pretty straightforward and thanks to a helpful tips system you’re guided as to what you need to buy and how to place it, before moving on to the next step. Once you’ve got your little Goldfish colony thriving, you’ll be beckoned downstairs to help your father deal with his own aquarium which soon reminds you he might not be the best fish role-model.

Covered in algae, you’ll have to remove the dead fish before cleaning the tank, and removing and washing the filter and heater before refilling with fresh water to start again.

This time you’re introduced to extra mechanics such as adding salt to make it a saltwater aquarium and using PH modifiers to make the water more suitable for certain fish as well as fine tuning the heat to create a better environment.

You’ll need to add certain items such as lighting a background and specific fish species, as your father watches on in amazement of your Aquarist skills.

The game continues with a few set-pieces where you’ll have to help out friends and family as you slowly build up your own aquarium empire, Story mode does a fantastic job of introducing you to all of the game mechanics, and each level unlocks more materials and equipment for you to use to create