Fishdom

• Title — Fishdom • Developer — Playrix • Publisher — Playrix • Series — Fishdom • Released — * Windows/Mac19 June 2008 • Nintendo DS • Nintendo DSi/Nintendo 3DS • iOS/Android (Deep Dive)10 December 2015 • Genre — Puzzle game, social game • Modes — Single-player • Platforms — Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, iPadOS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS

The object of the game is to solve puzzles and earn coins to set up and decorate a virtual aquarium. Using in-game currency the player is able to purchase different species of fish, decorations, and "comfort" items to make the environment more pleasant for pet fishes. Filling all of the three meter gauges measuring the progress will unlock one of the trophies: bronze, silver, or gold. Adorned and themed tanks can be used as a smartphone screensaver. Levels are based on a standard for "match three" mechanics: the player swaps two adjacent gems to make matches of three or more. Each of the rounds takes place on a different grid and poses a challenge to earn golden tiles by matching gems at least once over each one. Some of the tiles are locked and have a different color; to unlock them the player must match gems consecutively over multiple turns. When three or more objects are matched simultaneously, one of the bonuses appears: firecrackers, depth bombs, dynamite charges, or lightning. The puzzle board must be cleared before the player runs out of moves, otherwise the level must be repeated in order to progress further. The platform also provides mini-games, holiday-themed upgrades, pearl tournament challenges, and a 3D-simulation of a scuba mask which allows the user to dive into the deep sea. By 2019, Playrix changed the gaming model to "freemium", in which various currencies such as diamonds can also be purchased in the app.

Despite seemingly good reception at first, some believe the game to be pay-to-win, as it appears to them that the game has nearly impossible levels, which usually need the game's boosters to easily beat. Others also call out the game for false advertising, since the pin-pulling puzzles in the advertisements are rarely seen in-game. This portion of negative reception can also be applied to Playrix's other games, such as Homescapes and Gardenscapes: New Acres, some also applying it to the company itself.