Deal | This underwater city builder and colony sim is available at a 70% discount on Steam

After the Earth’s surface becomes a barren wasteland, surviving members of humanity venture to the only other biome capable of supporting life: the Ocean. Players will be able to build their “utopia” in the depths of the seas, exploring vast areas and constructing habitats across multiple levels of the Ocean floor. Like any good city builder, Aquatico will have players collect, manage, and optimize resources while maintaining infrastructure and surviving the challenges of the deep sea. 

While the seabed can be used to build core structures like production facilities, the “domed layers above will house your people from the dangers of the depths.” Players will be required to not only maintain their cities but also avoid the dangers of the ocean, such as sharks and whales, which could be agitated into aggression if you build too close or harvest resources near them.

The game offers an extensive technology tree, allowing players to experiment with how they create their settlements. “The route you take will determine the city you create.”  Players can develop drones and submarines to explore the unknown depths surrounding them, yielding rare rewards and resources that support life and the ability to expand their ever-increasing colony. 

Released in 2023 and developed by Digital Reef Games, Aquatico received a mixed reception from fans. Apart from some minor bugs, the common complaint was that the game lacked, ironically, depth. The game is meant to be a sandbox, but players report finding no clear-cut goals or objectives beyond the survival of their city.

Mechanics and features that sound good on paper, but ultimately serve no further purpose other than just being a hindrance. “You don't know when temperature changes are coming. They aren't broadcast in any meaningful way before or during. They're just there", a review stated. 

Some players refer to the game as a city-builder-lite. A scaled-down version of the complex mechanics and features that are found in many popular games of a similar genre. Frostpunk is cited as an example of a great city-builder that uses mechanics such as temperature and its effects on gameplay effectively. In contrast, Aquatico’s use of it left players feeling unfulfilled. 

Aquatico is available on Steam for $7.49 with a 70% discount that ends on the 8th of December. A soundtrack and the Founder’s Pack can also be purchased separately. The game offers a single-player experience with Steam achievements and family sharing options.