The goal of this game is exactly that of the original, namely to develop a virtual aquarium. This is accomplished just as one would do in real life. Players simply buy fish, accessories, and various creature comforts for the tank. The keyword here is buy as players need cash in order to buy all of this stuff. Cash is earned by completing match-3 levels before time runs out. In these game levels, players must match three identical pieces in a row by clicking on two adjacent pieces to swap them around. A swap is only successful if it creates a match. Tiles contain various pieces like ghosts, pumpkins, wizard hats, starfish, crabs, and even seashells.
Some of these pieces sit atop golden tiles. Every level contains a specific amount of these golden tiles that the player must collect in order to proceed to the next level. The level ends once the player collects all the golden tiles or runs out of time. In some levels, these special tiles are silver and not gold. These tiles must be matched twice in order to clear them. Some tiles are locked, meaning their corresponding pieces can only be freed by matching them with other tiles. Various power-ups like bombs, dynamite charges, warheads, and lightning bolts are offered throughout the levels. These items can destroy multiple pieces in one go.
Fishdom: Spooky Splash lets players choose from about 200 different types of fish and accessories. This variety provides a virtually unlimited number of aquariums one may create and design. Clicking on the eye button at the top of the screen pauses game-play, hides the playing board, and allows you to view the aquarium while listening to the game theme song. A bonus screen-saver featuring your very own personalised aquarium awaits should you successfully complete the entire game. As a result, the titles publisher claims this virtual aquarium provides a fully interactive, customisable environment for players to enjoy.
It is hard to say who the mixed aquatic/haunted house theme will appeal to. One doesnt generally think about ghosts and goblins while making a fish tank. Adding lighting and accessories to this virtual fish tank doesnt seem to be as spooky as the developers would like players to think. While the original title lays claim to several gaming awards, it is not clear whether or not this title will bring anything new to the table in order to gain awards of its own. The titles publisher claims the game provides endless replay value to gamers. While this may be so for casual players and match-3 enthusiasts, hardcore gamers will quickly grow bored with this title despite its playability, graphics, and overall appeal. Matching tiles will get old for this type of player regardless of how well the graphics and sound are made. When it comes to making electronic fish tanks, lets just say that the hardcore crowd would rather not.
Fishdom: Spooky Splash is suitable for all gaming audiences. It is available for play on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Nintendo DS platforms, as well as an online browser-based edition through games.com.