Update log
Full The Aquarium update
The complete published notes, normalized for clean reading and source attribution.
Extracted changes
- Gameplay
- Store
- Maps
Hello!
The Aquarium Demo will be available on Steam on May 13th, 2026. In this devlog, we want to share what you'll find in the demo and what's coming in the full release.
While building the demo, we had one question on our minds: Does the aquarium experience and the feel of fishing, the heart of the game, actually click? Everything you'll see in the demo is our answer to that question. Everything else, the village, daily routines, and new exploration areas, is being built on top of this foundation and will be with you in the full release.
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/4135330/The_Aquarium_Demo/"]
What's Waiting for You in the Demo?
Fishing, But Not the Way You're Used To
In most games, fishing is just a mini-game: fill the gauge, and the fish is yours. We wanted something different.
In The Aquarium, you catch fish in rivers and lakes with your hands, using gloves. You lean into the water, time it right, and hold the fish in your own hands. This feel is very different from moving a mini-game cursor. More direct, more satisfying.
"We wanted fishing to be one of our favorite parts of the game. The glove-catching mechanic makes you feel like you're truly part of the world the fish live in. Not from a distance with a rod, but from inside the water itself, without harming them."
When you want to venture further, you can hop on a boat and explore different fishing zones. Each zone has its own fish species and its own atmosphere.
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Design Your Aquarium
The fish you catch are waiting for their new homes. Our aquarium design system lets you create your own compositions with decorations, plants, and different themes. A lush Dutch-style planted tank, a dry desert-themed setup, or a vivid arrangement full of Malawi cichlids? The choice is yours. As you progress, you can purchase new aquariums and grow your collection. Each aquarium has its own ecosystem and character.
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Discover, Raise, and Breed Your Fish
Putting a fish in your aquarium is just the beginning. You feed them, grow them, and breed them. When the right conditions come together, fish produce offspring, and you collect them to expand your collection.
As you discover new species, your FishDex fills up. You can track which fish you've caught and which ones you're still chasing. The map module shows you what's happening across different zones.
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Aura System
There's a small bonus system inside the demo. You earn aura from everyday activities like drinking tea, making coffee, taking a shower, or sleeping, and you can spend it as a bonus while fishing. This isn't a mechanic that restricts you; it's a small touch that gives you an extra edge when your aura is high and adds a bit of rhythm to the game.
Thank you for being with us! Hear you soon!
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