Insaniquarium

Insaniquarium
Developer(s)	Flying Bear Entertainment
Publisher(s)	PopCap Games
Designer(s)	George Fan[1]
Engine	PopCap Games Framework
Version	1.1[2] (January 23, 2008)
Platform(s)	Java, Palm OS, Windows Mobile,[3] Windows
Release date(s)	September 1, 2004[2]
Genre(s)	Puzzle, virtual pets
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: Everyone
Media/distribution	Download, CD
System requirements OS: Win 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista. Memory: 128 MB RAM. DirectX: 7.0. Processor: Pentium II, 350 MHz or faster.

Insaniquarium (stylized as InsaniQuarium!) is a computer game created by Flying Bear Entertainment and PopCap Games.

Insaniquarium Deluxe features enhanced graphics, new pets, new modes of gameplay, and a new type of currency called "shells". Shells are collected as the game progresses, and they can be used to create a custom Insaniquarium screen saver, to buy bonus pets or to increase the number of pets allowed in each tank.

Development

The first version of the game, developed by Flying Bear Entertainment, is Java-based and available as a free online game.^[4] During development a member of the team purchased a goldfish and examined its movements and behaviour.^[5] Shortly after, a PDA version was released. The latest version, Insaniquarium Deluxe, was released in September 2004 for PC.

Gameplay

Player uses the mouse to feed fish and fight aliens

Players must manage a tank of guppies and other aquatic creatures, each stage begins with two guppies in the tank or one breeder which creates guppies.^[6] Guppies and other fish drop money, which can be collected by the player and used to purchase fish food and upgrades, such as more aquatic creatures, more filling food, and powerful lasers to repel attackers.^[7] Each creature must be kept alive by feeding, whether through fish food bought by the player or other species of fish in the tank. In addition to feeding fish, the player must protect the fish from aliens that periodically enter the tank and attempt to eat the fish. The aliens must be clicked on repeatedly with the mouse pointer in order to defeat them.^[8] The deluxe version of Insaniquarium contains eight different aliens, but in the original Java version there are four.

Insaniquarium can be played in Adventure, Time Trial, or Challenge mode.

In adventure mode, a player advances through five tanks. Tanks 1-4 have five levels but tank 5 has only a level in which a player must beat the final boss in order to complete the game.

Time Trial mode restricts the player to completing the first tank in five minutes and in ten minutes for the three subsequent tanks. Egg pieces no longer count towards finishing a level, but instead add a random pet into the tank (always starting with three pets). Each piece cost doubles the previous one, with the first shell starting at $100. The goal of the Time Trial mode is to make as much money as possible; a 5% of the total money earned will be transformed into shells.

Challenge mode is similar to Adventure mode, but the cost of each item on the board rises 1% for every five seconds of game time. Buying an egg piece resets the cost of all of the items except for the other egg pieces (the current price will freeze), and several seconds afterwards the costs will start to rise again. The difficulty and number of aliens allowed in the tank also rise as time progresses. Unlike in the adventure mode, after five minutes all purchase options are open so that there is no need to purchase specific upgrades or special fish to be able to buy other items or egg pieces.

There is also a sandbox mode, accessible when the silver/gold trophy is achieved. After getting either trophy, players must go to the title screen and enter the Konami Code. It allows full access to unlimited amounts of fish, pets and aliens.

Aliens

Sylvester: The weakest alien. An eyeless dark blue alien with the least health and a tail.

Balrog: A cross between a lion and merman with a yellow-orange color and dreadlocks. He has a little more health than Sylvester.

Gus: A fat alien that is humanoid with a fish tail, is immune to blasters and must be fed pellets until he blows up.

Destructor: A ground assault robot that fires missles at its targets. Missles can be destroyed by blaster bolts.

Psychosquid: Despite the name "Psychosquid" he is a six armed octopus equipped with a fork, a meat cleaver and a flyswatter. He has a dormant mode where he turns sky blue and if shot, can regain health instead of lose it.

Ulysses: A rock made cyclops or golem that fires energy balls and does ground assaults like Destructor. Energy balls can't be destroyed, but can be deflected back at Ulysses, damaging him.

Bilaterus: A two-headed skeleton snake that must have both his skulls destroyed. (Strike at first vulnerable head, then second.)

Dr. Cyrax: The commander of all aliens. He can't hurt fish but sends mini-Sylvesters who can.

References

1. ^ Insaniquarium Readme: Credits
2. ^ ^{a b} Insaniquarium Readme
3. ^ "Insaniquarium". PC Magazine. 2004-04-06. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1546512,00.asp. Retrieved 2008-04-14. 
4. ^ Sikora, Drew. "Interview with Flying Bear Entertainment". GameDev.net. http://www.gamedev.net/columns/interviews/insaniquarium.asp. Retrieved 2008-04-04. 
5. ^ McConnaughy, Tim. "IGF:Insaniquarium". GameSpy. http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/january02/igffish/. Retrieved 2008-04-04. 
6. ^ Rupert, Samantha (2006-05-30). "Insaniquarium Deluxe Review (PC)". gamedaily.com. http://www.gamedaily.com/games/insaniquarium-deluxe/pc/game-reviews/item/5317/1200/. Retrieved 2008-04-14. 
7. ^ Bibby, Jay (2004-06-04). "Insaniquarium". Jay Is Games. http://jayisgames.com/archives/2004/06/insaniquarium.php. Retrieved 2008-04-04. 
8. ^ Palley, Steve (2005-08-26). "PC Insaniquarium Deluxe Review". GameSpot. http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/insaniquariumdeluxe/review.html. Retrieved 2008-04-04. 

External links

• Insaniquarium Homepage
• Flying Bear Entertainment
• Guide, FAQ, Forum and Resource Center, officially supported by Flying Bear