Jennifer a strong willed recent graduate of Environmental Protection University is looking for employment. As a marine biologist she has many talents and skills to be useful at the world’s foremost aquarium run by Old Barney a close friend of her grandpa. However, Jennifer wants to prove herself and get the job on her own merits, but with no or little money, she cannot produce the kind of aquarium to impress her cat. At her grandpa’s suggestion, she goes diving for the many treasures sitting at the bottom of the sea. With these finds she can make enough money to buy necessary fish, plants and equipment to make an fantastic tank to win her the job at Water is Life Foundation.

Fishdom H2O is an underwater hidden object play. After clicking on all the listed items in 3 minutes, you reach your goal and move on to the next level. In between the levels you can purchase the supplies for your aquarium. At the top right there are 3 meters you must increase to 100% before moving on to another project or aquarium. The 3 meters are fish, beauty and comfort. The fish category lists all the different species of fish that is available for purchase. The beauty section will allow you to buy plants to beautify your tank and the comfort will let you put in lights and air filters to make your fish at home. After filling up all the meters, you will win a star.

Mini games are fun and played very quickly. You get 2 minutes to click in all the vases in the scene, collect all the gold items (including gold bullions, gold coins, golden bowls and vases) from the bottom of the ocean, find 10 items such as hourglasses, guitars and more. You may dive without your oxygen tank and must look for 1 of 3 items listed as quickly as you can.

Fishdom H2O is a lively and fast-paced hidden object game. Each scene is 3 minutes. Quite fast for most hidden object plays, but it is enough time to find all your items. If you can’t find your object before the time runs out, use the hint button to have the seahorse point out your item. In addition look for more seahorses in each scene to increase the number of your hints.

This is a great game and the scenes are doable in 3 minutes, however there always the relaxed mode. I like the colorful graphics and underwater scenes. The aquarium and screen saver are fun to create and enjoy. The only suggestion I have is to add a couple of match games from the first Fishdom for variety.

Features of Fishdom:
-Underwater Hidden Object
-20 Sea Creatures
-Accessories and Decorations
-Bonus Screensavers

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Jump into the big blue ocean and swim your way to the top of the food chain in the Mac game Feeding Frenzy. Andy the angel fish must eat smaller sized fish in order to grow and reach the top of the fish kingdom. When you are small you are eaten by the larger fish so it’s imperative for you to quickly work and eat as much as possible and grow larger while keeping away from the bigger predators.

There are 2 modes of play in Feeding Frenzy: New Game and Time Attack. New Game is easier way to the top, however has limited lives. Time Attack is more difficult with unlimited lives, but it is timed. You use the mouse to guide Andy through the blue waters of the sea. By using the left click you can speed the feeding action faster using the Fish Dash attack, but you must beware of the larger fish or Andy will get eaten very quickly. The bubble above Andy’s head will let you know when you are large enough to eat bigger fish. When going on to the next level, there are interesting and educational facts about the sea. You are so into the game, you have to scan these facts quickly so you can get to the next level faster.

The bonus stage allows Andy to eat all minnows before time runs out for points. The Frenzy Meter will fill up for double points. The starfish do not help him grow but will give you points. Watch out for the Lion Fish, it can chase Andy down. Pearl will give you extra points also, but the clam can clamp down on him for lunch. Eating a school of fish will garner you 500 points.

Although Feeding Frenzy is a very simple Mac game, it is darn fun. When you have a few moments to spare, play this game just for enjoyment. You only have to think when you have to avoid the big fish. I was so into this game I didn’t check out the screen savers. This game is fun and addictive for everyone.

Features of Feeding Frenzy:
-Eat to the Top of the Food Chain
-Many Levels
-Sea Life
-Power-ups
-Screen Savers

You may also like:
Tasty Planet

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Big Kahuna Reef 2: Chain Reaction is the sequel to Big Kahuna Reef, but the developers went way beyond the scope of follow-ups to make an action filled and fun Mac game. Yes, it has the same music, exotic fish and the scenic reef, but it goes further than the first game by adding a lot more chain reactions, new fish, new reefs and a lot of explosive pieces making it a more dynamic play.

The game has 2 modes, Action and Relaxed. Action is timed and your time is up when the fluid in the Kahuna Tiki head runs out. You begin with 3 lives and if you do not finish a level, you lose a life. You can also use a life to extend your time. Relaxed play lasts until the board is cleared. There are 3 areas of difficulty. You begin the game at Kahuna Quest where you must match 3 or more sea items in order to complete the level. After completing a set number of levels you unlock the next section, Tiki Challenge. It has a lot more difficult levels to play. This section is not only challenging but can also get a little demanding with the Tiki jumping and making noises. The third group is the Other Adventures, and it is where you will find over 600 themed levels created by players around the world. In addition to the hundreds of levels to play, you can create your own and submit it to be used in the game.

There are many extras to this game play, some similar to the earlier version and many new surprises. It feels like the game play moved along faster due to more chain reactions, dynamite, regular and nuclear bombs. The larger the explosive, the bigger the area cleared. The explosives are best used after manipulating the play so they are in the best possible position for the most effective use. As well as the helps in this game, there are many obstacles to clear the game board: steel boxes (need 2 matches to clear), single and double chains (2 and 3 matches to clear), and the ominous Kamehameha Skeleton fish (creates more boxes when matched). The puzzle boards are different and more challenging. The irregular shapes make it more dangerous to haphazardly make matches. Strategy must be used to avoid leaving boxes in hard to play corners. Other new bonuses are the shark eating license plate level and diving penguins.

Although Big Kahuna Reef 2 had all the familiar themes of the first game, there are a lot of excitement and movement to this new version. I enjoyed BKR 2 so much more and know you will too. So if you liked the first version, you will like this second one even better. Try it out and see for yourself.

Features of Big Kahuna Reef: Chain Reaction:
-Oceanic Adventure
-40 Exotic Sea Creatures
-over 750 levels
-Quest to become the Big Kahuna
-Save games

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

If you are a Fishdom fan, you’ll love Mac match 3/sim sequel game Fishdom 2 with more colors and game boards to play. Build and decorate your dream aquarium with fish galore. Take a photo of your tank and sent it to your friends. Make sure your fish are comfortable or they will start complaining.

The play is to match 3 or more of the same kind of items to clear the board and in addition you must make the matches over the gold tiles to complete the level. Higher levels will have the gold tiles in a corner alcove making clearing it more difficult. Larger matches will earn you power-ups to destroy tiles on the board. Some bonuses like the firecracker will destroy only 1 tile. The depth bomb will clear 2 tiles and the bigger bombs like lightning and warhead will clear more tiles. The blocks in the game can be chains locking an item until a match can be made. Double chains and metal tiles will take 2 matches to release the token.

Playing the match 3 games will earn you money to buy supplies for your own fish tank. You have the option to buy different and exotic fish, decorate your tank with plants and ornaments or buy comfort items to keep your fish healthy. At the top right of the tank you will see meters displaying the fish, beauty and comfort. Each one of these categories must be filled to earn trophies, and in turn, open up another tank for you to decorate. You can also take photos of your tank or view them by clicking on the eye in the top left corner of the screen.

In addition to the match 3 and sim plays, you can play a hidden object game. You click on the many jewels and gems hidden in an aquatic scene and win a fish for your growing tank.

Although Fishdom 2 is very similar to 1 and the seasonal games, if you are a match 3 player, you’ll enjoy the animated tokens, the intense colors, fun music, screensavers, desktop backgrounds and the addictive and familiar nature of this game. Try it relaxed or timed (if you want a little more challenge) play for an entertaining afternoon.

Features of Fishdom 2:
-120 Fun and Exciting Levels
-Earn Bronze, Silver or Gold Trophies
-Photos, Desktop Background, Screensavers

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Mac game Big Kahuna Words is part of Reflexive’s successful Big Kahuna match game series. The music and the oceanic reef scenes are identical to the match plays. The puzzle formation, power ups and blocks are also very familiar. However, the similarities end there. You return to the depth of the blue seas to form words instead of matching 3 items to garner points.

The play is simple to learn but forming the words will be a challenge even with the hint button. You can play either relaxed or the action timed mode. You click on letters touching each other to form a word. You can drag one letter to another to swap positions. If you have trouble configuring a word, click on the hint button and then move over the letters to see what word can be made. The longer the words, the more points you will get and also earn you a bonus word bomb to destroy letters. You must make words over the stones to destroy the square and after all the stone blocks are gone, the level is complete. If the square is metal then you must make a word over it 2 times to destroy. If the square is locked you must use that letter at the beginning of the word.

The many power-ups are the wild cards, explosives and bonus words. There is a volcano level where the letters on the board will change. Statistics are given after each level and this data will encourage you to do better in the next stage. Also after each level you return to the reef to release fish, turtles and sharks to the waters for your screensavers. In addition, interesting information is given when choosing your items to release into the ocean.

Big Kahuna Words is an enjoyable challenge to your brain fitness in the higher levels when the puzzle boards in various unusual shapes and many blocks will test your mental capabilities. You will need to summon all your brain cells when dealing with the small corners with just consonants, but will savor revenge when an explosive destroys some of those very letters that are in your path to completing a level. Big Kahuna Words is not as funny as Bookworm Deluxe but is just as difficult and addictive in its play. If that is not enough, you also get a great screensaver to sit back and enjoy the beautiful reef.

Features of Big Kahuna Reef:
-2 Play Modes
-Coral Reef Screensaver
-Word Creation Rewards
-More Levels Online

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Arcade games are usually not my favorite type of Mac game, but Aqua Park changed my mind with its colorful cartoons, 3 game modes, merits, screensavers and fun action. What more do you need?

The story is simple. You have invented a helium tank that can encapsulate fish in order to catch them for your new aquarium park. Your cursor is the tank and you click and point on a fish to send it up to the boat. You need enough points to earn a bronze star for you to continue on to the next level. The bar at the bottom of the screen will let you know how much more time you have until your next star and the end of the level. It’s fairly easy to reach the bronze star, but the silver and gold take a little doing.

As the levels increase, so does your challenges. Sometimes you will have 2 different types and colors of fish and 2 boats. You must match the color of the fish to the color of the boat. Other times you will have obstacles like the puffer fish or sunfish that will pop your captured fish. Another block in your game will be the helium tank. It will run out quickly. You can wait until it replenishes or you can click on the tanks floating down from the ships. Other things that float down from the top are the clocks (gives you extra time), the bubble nets (float it down to where there are a lot of fish and it will trap all of them and float them to the boat), cutie pie (will stop all the fish to look at her), disco ball (the fish will start dancing), cameras (the fish will stop to smile and have their picture taken) and speed boosters (will send the fish quickly to the top). There’s so many bonuses at the beginning that you wonder what will be next.

After a few levels you earn things for your aquariums. These aquarium scenes can be used as fun screensavers for your computer. Also you will unlock other modes and challenges.

This arcade game is fun because you can get past a few levels easily without getting discouraged. Of course, the levels will increase in difficulty, but you will be able to see different backgrounds, fish and complete your aquarium park. Even though the play is repetitive, you find yourself interested in the different types of fish and objects, they can conjure up for this Mac game. It is also challenging enough for gamers who wish to be tested. You can do this by reaching the gold star every time. Finally, this Aqua Park is just plain fun and different from the many sim and hidden object games that are out there. Give it a go and see if you agree with me that it is time for a change of pace.

Features of Aqua Park:
-3 Game Modes
-Fun and Challenging Levels
-Many Fish to Collect

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Fishdom: Frosty Splash is one of the holiday themed match 3/sim Mac plays made after the original Fishdom first came out. The other 2 are Spooky Splash (Halloween) and Harvest Splash (Thanksgiving). Frosty Splash with its Christmas like music and decorations gives your tank a festive appeal.

The swap match 3 or more like items to destroy whether timed or not is a very relaxing and easy play. This is where you will earn money and points from making large matches as quickly as possible. You must swap a sea creature or shell with 2 or more of the same pieces to destroy the gold tiles. You can accomplish this with the help of the bombs, dynamite and other wonderful explosives that will take out many objects in one fell swoop. The lightning will remove all of 1 type of item on the board.

The blocks in this game are the single chains, double chains, the board layout (many in forms of animals, Christmas tree, heart, etc.) and metal tiles will try to deter you from finishing the level in time.

After you earn money from the match games, you can start buying items for your fish tank. You need to satisfy the fish, beauty and comfort levels of the tank in order to earn trophies and to buy more tanks. You can also click on the eye at the top left to view your tanks at any time.

As a match player I went through the match games quickly without buying anything until I earned a lot of money, but you can buy anything after each level if you have enough money for your item. The items in Fishdom: Frosty Splash are Christmasy things like the fish with a santa hat, a lopsided Christmas tree and cold, frosty items.

This winter holiday game is very similar to the first Fishdom but with Christmas like music and objects. I didn’t find the match games challenging, but they were still fun to do. Filling the tank with bought items is not much of a novelty after playing the initial Fishdom. The artwork in all the Fishdom games are colorful and enjoyable, but the almost Christmas tunes gets a little mundane after awhile. I would suggest you try all the different Fishdom games and see which one suits you the best. I think Fishdom: Frosty Splash may have more power-ups and bonuses than the initial game, but see what you like.

Features of Fishdom: Frosty Splash:
-Design Festive, Holiday Tanks
-100 Winter Decorations
-Screensaver

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

For all you diehard Mac match 3/simulation Fishdom players here’s another game, one with a fall theme. This time you’ll see cornucopias, fall colors and pilgrim’s hats. There are fish, plants and filtration systems to make a beautiful autumnal fish tank.

The play is exactly the same as the other Fishdom match games: Spooky Splash and Frosty Splash. You play a match 3 game to earn enough money so you can fill a fish tank full of fish, plants, and comfort items. The tank and the items in the bowl are almost identical to the other Fishdom games. You need to fill the water scene with fish, beauty and comfort items to keep the environment healthy and happy. In order to meet their needs, you must play match 3 games to earn cash to buy items. You can also photograph your tank.

In the match 3 levels you swap 2 items to make matches of 3 or more of the same icons either horizontally or vertically. The icons are exactly the same ones used in the other Splash games like the stingray, conch shell, turtles, jellyfish and more. Additional items to round off the objects are the harvest types. Even some of the shapes of the game boards are identical. The powerups from the firecrackers to the lightning is also the same. The blocks are your usual chains, double chains (must match over 2xs), the metal tiles (2xs), etc.

If you really liked the other Fishdom games, you’ll want to try Harvest Splash. However, if you are new to the Fishdom series, you may want to try all of them to see which one suits you the best or which seasonal holiday you like. They are all about the same so you probably need to get only one or two. The Frosty Splash appears to have made the most effort in doing a theme game because the music is Christmas-like and objects related to the theme. I give this Fishdom: Harvest Splash 3 out of 5 because of the similarity to the other games but still a solid play.

Features of Fishdom: Harvest Splash:
-Autumn Themed Fish Tanks
-Match 3 Plays
-Sim Game

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars