iFishTank – Review

Our rating:

By: iFishTank

Version #: 1.0

Date Released: 2009-07-24

Developer: Fide Software

Price: 1.99

User Rating:

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First there was Koi Pond, now there’s iFishtank.  While you shouldn’t compare the two, it’s hard not to.

Koi Pond was a craze, a movement, something revolutionary.  When it first came out, Koi Pond was combination of lush graphics and innovative interaction.  The way the water rippled when you touched it, the smooth movement of the fish as they swam, even the way the lilly pads floated all seemed so fluid.

iFishtank does have some nice features that Koi Pond doesn’t have—you can “move” (or at least zoom and pan) around the fish tank, there are more fish and more types of fish, and the perspective gives you more of a heads on point of view.   It’s also nice that no matter how I turn my iPhone, the tank rotates appropriately.

But iFishtank doesn’t have the smoothness found in Koi Pond.   While you can ‘tap’ on the glass to feed the fish; when the fish are up close, they look very blocky and ‘computerish’ to me.  Zooming around the fishtank, you notice the blotchiness of the bitmap being stretched.  The edges of the tank, instead of being fluid water are just another bitmap.

I suppose that the biggest problem with iFishtank isn’t really it’s fault.  It’s actually very nice, the problem is that Koi Pond was executed that much better.  It’s sort of the Zune vs. iPod debate.  If the iPod was never around, the Zune would be really cool.  But, unfortunately for the Zune, there is an iPod.  And unfortunately for iFishtank, there’s Koi Pond.

Quick Take

Value: Low

Would I Buy Again:  No

Learning Curve: None

Who Is It For: Virtual Fish Lovers

What I Like:  Cute "features’ compared to other fish apps, but the quality wasn’t there.

What I Don’t:: Everything looked too flat and unrealistic

Final Statement: The interactive features, 3D views, etc. all sound great, but this app fails to deliver.