What is an Idle Game?

Just imagine a game that runs on autopilot even if you are not playing it. You would set it up, make a few choices, and then go on with the flow of leaving it to work by itself. Sounds interesting, right? That is the unique selling proposition of idle games, silently established among gamers. Simple yet surprisingly addictive, these games are, for better or worse. They let you make progress in them while you’re not present, giving you a satisfaction from watching things grow without constant need for effort. Let’s get into why idle games are so attractive and get into how these work, why people love them, and introduce you to five of the best idle games.

What is an Idle Game?

An idle game is where a game automatically progresses even while you are not playing it. Players would start this game with clicking to get one resource or money or points and continuously use the resource for buying upgrades. Upgrades help the game continue by itself, so you needn’t click all the time. Over the months, the game just keeps running in the background, and you can check in to do more upgrades or see how far you have progressed.

The best thing about idle games is that they are easy and relaxing. You don’t need to strain or play constantly to be able to make some progress. Unlike action games that demand quick reflexes or puzzle games that need deep thinking, idle games let you take a step back and watch things happen. You can play them while doing other things, or you can simply leave them running when you are busy. These games are so appealing because they can be so easily accessible. It is possible to play them on a phone, in a web browser, or on a computer. This can be fitted into the day.

Gameplay

The gameplay of idle games is very simple, yet very addictive. Players at first need to do simple things such as click for resources. Tapping means gathering coins, chopping trees, or item production. Early on in the game, the player needs to work actively, and as you advance in the game, it just goes on autopilot. It is the unlocking of the possible upgrades such that the game may play itself.

As you advance, you can invest in upgrades that allow you to automate the activities. For instance, machines and workers could do the job themselves, so you won’t have to spend any time on those activities. That is when things get very interesting. Having all of that automated, you can set the game to cruise in its forward motion for a good many hours at this point. This is the key characteristic of idle games and just what makes them so relaxing and fun to play: that ability to continue on without requiring your undivided attention.

Although called “idle,” these games do not dispense with strategy completely; players do have to think about when it’s the time to spend prudently. It’ll be up to you whether to spend your little hard-earned upgrades or save up for something bigger.

Best Idle Games

5. Garden Galaxy

Garden Galaxy is a very serene idle game where you create your garden with all the random stuff. From plants to furniture to decorations, you can pretty much do what you want in your garden. Every time you get new stuff, so you never know what’s going to happen in your garden, and that’s the aspect of getting something new every time. You could sort or sell items that you might not need later since you are collecting items in themed sets. You can also alter the lights and background of your garden to suit your style. Best of all, the game runs even when you’re not playing; your garden continues growing while you are away.

4. Chillquarium

Chillquarium is a rather soothing idle game wherein you purchase fish, raise them in real-time. In the game, it is possible to sell the fish for profit or store them with the hope of making money off the visitors. The idea is creating and personalizing the aquarium with rare and exotic fish. The unlocking of new fish happens through booster packs, and the growth of such fish can be accelerated with feeding frenzies. In addition, with soothing day-night cycles, Chillquarium offers everyone an incredibly peaceful, easy-going experience.

3. Mr. Mine

Mr. Mine is another idle game where you dig deep inside the earth to find treasures and secrets. You begin with a minuscule team of miners; as you dig, you unlock better drills and special buildings to help you dig faster. You can find hard-to-get items, complete quests, and have some surprise in store for you. It’s fun and exciting playing along because the more you dig, the more there are those rewards.

2. Cookie Clicker

Cookie Clicker is extremely simplistic idle game in which you’re meant to just click on a gigantic cookie to generate more cookies. Your cookies would help you in buying upgrades, such as grandmas and cookie factories that may automate the process of cookie production. As time progresses, cookie production speed increases. It goes on playing when you are not; it seeks to produce as many cookies as possible. This is easy to play and worthwhile to watch how progress might go.

1. Rusty’s Retirement

Rusty’s Retirement is a pretty relaxing idle-farming game in which you let Rusty handle the farming as you go off and do something else. It can be run underneath your screen, and thus can be easily multitasked. Here, you unlock new crops as you advance and then use those to make biofuel to sell. It is a smooth, stress-free game that quietly works while you are busy with other things.

So, have you tried any idle games before? Which one is your favorite? Let us know on our socials here!