Biotope (2019)

Developer: MBL Development
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Genres: Casual, Simulation, Strategy, Early Access
Rating: 2.1 of 5, 220 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 3.2 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A photorealistic, methodical aquarium simulation where you carefully balance budgets and ecosystems to cultivate and trade aquatic life.

relaxingatmosphericsemi-realisticstrategiceducationalmanagementchallengingslow-paced

What players say

Players uniformly call the game abandoned and unfinished, with development stalled around 2024. While the screensaver mode and detailed water parameters have fans, the game is plagued by bugs, crashes, and a lack of content. Water chemistry is unrealistic and frustrating, and those who enjoyed it often point to better aquarium sims like Aquarium Designer.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.