Last updated: March 12, 2026
Why Megaquarium Is Trending Right Now
Megaquarium is surging—up 36% in the past week despite launching in 2018. This tells you something: word-of-mouth is carrying a 7-year-old indie title to new players. It hit 672 peak concurrent players in the last 24 hours, modest by AAA standards but solid momentum for a strategy sim flying under most radars.
The 96% positive rating (2,494 reviews) speaks louder than hype: players consistently praise the active developer who patches bugs, listens to feedback, and actually delivers free features alongside DLC. It's the Zoo Tycoon 2 successor the genre has been waiting for, and the thriving modding community lets you turn your aquarium into a prehistoric zoo if you want.
Key Stats
Trending in the Steam Strategy category with 672 concurrent players and Trending on Steam this week.
What the Community Is Saying
Players love the Zoo Tycoon 2 nostalgia, active dev team that actually listens, and a modding community that extends the game indefinitely. The honest knock: smaller player base and dated visuals compared to big-budget competitors, though neither matters if you're in the sandbox for the creativity.
The best zoo builder type game I've played since Zoo Tycoon 2. Gameplay is super fun and the devs actually listen to feedback and fix bugs. Cheaper, more functional, and much more fun than Planet Zoo. I can't recommend this enough to any player who enjoys the zoo building genre.
This game reminds me so much of Zoo Tycoon 2 when it comes to feel, i love how relaxing it is yet still entertaining and pretty (and the mod support is awesome)
One of my favorite games to hyperfixate on for a whole weekend. Dev is ACTIVE. Always putting out patches, responding to comments, and just occasionally releases some DLC (which usually comes with a free update that adds a lot of new features). The modding community is insane. Like actually you can just turn your aquarium into a zoo. A prehistoric zoo, even. It's wild over here.
Lovely game. Lovely mods. Lovely dlc. Love the devs. I love that I can play the game any way I like. More fish. More plants. More decorations, etc. Highly recommended!
get to live my dream of working with aquatics and SHAAARKS!! it actually plays amazingly on steam deck too
Creatures dying because staff won't fix filters. Staff are available tools are available and staff are 8 fix. Will not recommend while a major bug like this exists in the game.
Should You Play It? Pros & Cons
✅ Reasons to Play
- Active dev team that actually responds to feedback and ships regular updates (rare for indie)
- Phenomenal mod support—players transform the game completely, from cosmetics to core mechanics
- 96% positive rating across 2,494 reviews; Zoo Tycoon 2 fans call it the spiritual successor
- Runs great on Steam Deck; excellent performance for a management sim
❌ Things to Consider
- Smaller concurrent player base (672 peak) compared to Planet Zoo or Two Point Hospital
- Graphics are functional but dated—don't expect AAA polish on a 2018 indie budget
- Base game content is slim without mods; creativity/sandbox play required to hit 20+ hours
Should You Play Megaquarium?
Megaquarium holds overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam with a 96% positive rating, one of the most celebrated games in its genre on Steam. It attracts 672 players at its recent 24-hour peak, showing strong player retention for a Strategy title. The combination of strong developer support and passionate community has kept it highly rated over time.
Megaquarium is reasonably priced at $7.49 on Steam, developed by Twice Circled. Strategy enthusiasts who enjoy deep tactical decisions and long-term planning will find Megaquarium rewarding. The genre demands patience, and this title rewards it well.
Should You Play Megaquarium?
Megaquarium holds overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam with a 96% positive rating, one of the most celebrated games in its genre on Steam. It attracts 672 players at its recent 24-hour peak, showing strong player retention for a game title. The combination of strong developer support and passionate community has kept it highly rated over time.
Megaquarium is reasonably priced at $7.49 on Steam, developed by Twice Circled. Players who enjoy the game genre and want something currently trending on Steam will find Megaquarium worth checking out.
Common Questions About Megaquarium
Is this really the Zoo Tycoon 2 successor?
Yes. Players consistently cite identical appeal: design exhibits, manage staff, keep guests happy, watch your creation thrive. Megaquarium nails the relaxing-yet-engaging loop. The differences are scale (smaller), price ($7.49 vs. $50+), and mod support (stronger here). If you've been waiting 15+ years for a proper successor, this is it.
How many hours of gameplay are in the base game?
Depends entirely on you. The sandbox is limitless, so some players report 50+ hour hyperfixations. Casuals get 15-20 hours exploring mechanics. It's not a story-driven game with an endpoint—it's a creative sandbox. Mods add hundreds of hours if you engage with the community.
Is this multiplayer or always solo?
Solo only. No co-op, no PvP. The game is designed for you to relax and build at your own pace. Perfect for Steam Deck handheld sessions or lazy weekend binges.
Worth $7.49?
Easy yes. You're paying less than a coffee for a 96%-rated strategy sim with an active dev team and world-class mod support. Planet Zoo is $40, Two Point Hospital is $30—Megaquarium delivers comparable depth at 1/4 the price. Best value in the builder genre by a wide margin.
Is it free to play?
No, Megaquarium costs $672 on Steam. It is not a free-to-play game, though Steam sales occasionally offer discounts.
How many people play Megaquarium?
Megaquarium has reached 672 concurrent players at its 24-hour peak. Player counts fluctuate with updates, sales, and new content — check SteamDB for the latest live data.
