Megaquarium

Megaquarium is the next economic-simulation game from the developer behind Big Pharma, and applies the same sensibilities to public aquariums. You start with a few empty tanks and basic livestock and grow upward — toward a sprawling building filled with hundreds of guests, dozens of staff, and almost a hundred different aquatic species each with their own care requirements.

The species list runs across fish, sharks, crustaceans, corals, jellyfish, invertebrates and a turtle — ninety-seven in total. Each has specific needs around water quality, filtration, food and tank-mates. Mismatch them and animals fall sick; satisfy their requirements and guests stay longer and pay more. A research system, fed by guest-earned points, gradually unlocks new species and equipment as your aquarium climbs the prestige ladder.

Staff management runs in parallel. Hiring decisions trade off specialists against generalists, and a talk-scheduling system lets you plan exactly when, where and on what subject your staff lecture guests for extra income. Visitor needs — seating, food, drinks, toilets, the gift shop on the way out — are first-class systems that fold into the same economic loop as the tanks themselves.

A ten-level campaign teaches the systems through escalating scenarios; a sandbox mode with full customization and a random challenge generator keeps the loop replayable. Over a hundred placeable objects (filters, skimmers, nitrate reactors, chillers, balloon stands, paint and more) give the building side enough room to express layout decisions properly — and the depth of the simulation rewards anyone who actually thinks about how their visitors will move through their building.