Last Updated on June 1, 2024 by Jhonni Jets
Incremental games are a genre of game known for their hands-off and gradual gameplay. Rather than requiring constant input from the player, incremental games allow progress to continue even when not actively playing through idle gameplay and automatic upgrades. This gradual style of gameplay has led to incremental games becoming very popular for casual and idle play. If you enjoy watching your progress steadily increase over time through tiny improvements, then incremental games are perfect for you. In this article, we will take a look at 5 of the best incremental games available that focus on gradual, incremental upgrades through various mechanics to deliver satisfying gameplay in a low-effort way.
1. Cookie Clicker
Cookie Clicker is often credited as one of the original incremental games that helped popularize the genre. Released in 2013, the game tasks the player with clicking on a giant cookie at the bottom of the screen to earn in-game currency called cookies. These cookies can then be spent to purchase upgrades like cursors that automatically generate cookies even while idle. Over time, as more powerful upgrades are unlocked, the player’s cookie income grows exponentially through this virtuous cycle of incremental gains. Cookie Clicker manages to make the act of clicking ceaselessly addictive through its clever system of goals, milestones, and achievements that are spread out over long periods of incremental progress. Its simple but satisfying gameplay loop of clicking, upgrading, and seeing numbers get bigger has resonated with millions of players and cemented Cookie Clicker as a classic of the incremental genre.
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2. Adventure Communist
Adventure Communist is a colorful mobile idle-style incremental game from the studio Hyper Hippo. Much like its predecessor Adventure Capitalist, the game revolves around sending citizens of communist nations to work in various industries to produce resources. These resources can then be used to research upgrades that improve production rates or unlock new industries. Over time, as more industries are made available and upgraded, the player’s overall earnings per second rapidly grows through this incremental process. Unlike most incremental games where progression follows an S-curve, Adventure Communist features periodic revolutionary events where citizens overthrow the current government for a new one offering even greater rewards. This spicying up of the standard incremental gameplay with planned disruptions helps keep things feeling fresh. With its charming retro art style and idle-friendly gameplay, Adventure Communist is great for grabbing a quick dopamine hit throughout the day through incremental progress.
3. Antimatter Dimensions
Antimatter Dimensions is an impressive idle-based incremental game from popular dev Anthropic. The gameplay revolves around using “dimensional upgrades” to generate a resource called “antimatter” which can then be spent on even more powerful upgrades. On the surface, it may seem like your standard incremental fare. However, Antimatter Dimensions distinguishes itself through features like an innovative tree of 128 different dimensional upgrades to progress through, sophisticated balancing to keep upgrades feeling meaningful, over 1000 different achievements to pursue, various antimatter challenges to complete, and deep endgame content for hardcore players. Its polished and robust systems create an extremely satisfying experience of watchful optimization and steady improvements unlocking new dimensions of growth. With its laser focus on incremental upgrading mechanics, sublime balancing, and tons of engaging long-term goals, Antimatter Dimensions is a must-play for fans of gradual, idle-style progression in incremental games.
4. Kittens Game
Kittens Game is an text-based incremental that charmingly masquerades as a game about cute kittens but is actually a deep simulation of an evolving civilization. Players allocate resources like wood, food, and science towards upgrades that improve production, unlock new technologies, and expand their village. Over many generations of incremental tweaks, industries are researched to transform resources into new goods, infrastructures are constructed, and new scientific eras are pioneered – all growing the civilization gradually over multiple stages. Where Kittens Game excels is in simulating interconnected systems where each incremental upgrade has rippling effects that open up new progress paths. Mastering its webs of interdependencies between resources, industries, and technologies creates incredibly stimulating puzzles of optimization. Underneath its adorable kittens vibe lies a spectacularly designed incremental experience that rewards experimentation and planning out meticulous progress strategies to optimize one’s incremental civilization. Its scope and systems make Kittens Game highly replayable for fans of deep, hands-off progression games.
5. Sandcastle Builder
Sandcastle Builder is a fantastical incremental game that tasks players with magically growing a sandcastle through casting upgrades and spells. Starting small, casting simple early spells earns mana which can then purchase upgrades to augment spellcasting power – like enhancing individual spells, unlock special buildings that passively generate mana, or even alter the very rules of magic. This system creates an engaging loop of steady optimization where each incremental enhancement opens new avenues for even greater mana generation. Beyond its fun core casting mechanic, Sandcastle Builder also features a bevy of bizarre systems, humorous lore, and whimsical achievements that give the game immense colorful charm and replay value. With its clever take on progressive magic and focus on constant tiny refining of one’s magical mastery, Sandcastle Builder stands out as one of the most delightfully creative incremental games around. Its endlessly adaptable systems and goofy charm ensure there is always new potential for incremental growth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best incremental games understand that gradual, long-term progression can be just as engaging and satisfying as rapid short-term gains, if implemented well. The games highlighted here are shining examples of captivating the player through systems of optimized incremental growth that continually open new doors for progress through tiny steps. Whether clicking cookies, expanding civilizations one kitten at a time, or casting magical spells to grow enchanted sandcastles, these titles understand the simple joys of watching numbers gently trend upwards overtime through careful planning and minute refinements. Their focus on incremental progression through satisfying optimized loops makes them perfect idle experiences for casual play sessions or long-term idle cultivation. For fans of gently climbing progression curves, these incremental games will keep you engaged through countless phases of satisfying gradual upgrades.