The idle gaming genre has taken on a whole new meaning in the past one year. From a mobile-dominated genre focused on AFK gaming, to a work companion built for productivity, millions of players have clocked in over millions of hours into this genre, whether they’re running a café or planning their retirement.
If you’re looking to dip your toes into idle gaming, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite games out there. From ones that will keep you on track at work, to ones that are a little less involved, here’s a quick snapshot to kickstart your journey!
A great starting point… Rusty’s Retirement
Rusty’s Retirement was the first idle game to go truly viral, and for good reason. Not only did it pioneer the bottom-of-the-screen format, it remains one of the most polished idle games and a great place to begin your journey. In the game, you plant crops and watch Rusty get to work as he waters, nurtures, and harvests crops. Use those crops to produce biofuel, which you can use to expand your farm and upgrade your helper bots across a variety of biomes.
Key Features
- Available in horizontal and vertical mode
- Focus Mode for less distraction
- Built-in Twitch integration
Built for productivity… Spirit City: Lofi Sessions
Rather than an idle game, Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is more of a gamified productivity tool. Customise your character and virtual room, discover and collect Spirits, and facilitate your real-life tasks with a host of productivity features, set to a soothing lofi soundtrack and fully customisable soundscape. Not only that, Mooncube Games frequently updates the game with both free and paid cosmetic DLCs.
Key Features
- Built-in productivity tools
- Free and paid cosmetic DLCs
- Stream-friendly music library
Perfect for dual monitors… Cast n Chill
Cast n Chill stands out for its gorgeous pixel art landscapes that evolve based on the time of day, making it both an interactive wallpaper and a perfectly chill idle game. In the game, you explore lakes, rivers, and oceans to catch fish and upgrade your gear, all with your loyal companion by your side. This is also one of the more laid-back idle games we’ve played, which makes it perfect for players who just want to vibe without worrying about gameplay.
Key Features
- Best in full screen mode
- Plenty of landscapes to choose from
- Play either Active or Idle Mode
For a desktop companion… Weyrdlets
Developed by Malaysian studio Weyrdworks, Weyrdlets is a virtual pet game that puts a friendly companion right on your desktop. Spend time collecting items to customise your pet and its home, or utilise the built-in productivity tools to keep your tasks on track. If you’re into decorating, the game also has an active community where you can show off your newest creations.
Key Features
- Free base game with in-game purchases
- Available in Multiplayer Mode
- Built-in Twitch integration
For longer playthroughs… Not Monday Café
Not Monday Café is the new kid on the block, but one that we can’t stop playing. Developed by Thailand-based Sunny Syrup Studio, this idle restaurant management game allows you to manage and decorate your dream café, from growing fresh ingredients on your farm, to cooking and serving delicious dishes. This is also one of the longer idle games we’ve played, with a seemingly endless list of upgrades, expansions, and new menu items to unlock.
Key Features
- Longer playtime per playthrough
- Built-in pomodoro timer
- Built-in Twitch integration
For more gameplay… Maltese’s Fluffy Onsen
Maltese’s Fluffy Onsen is a simulation game that takes up a little more of your focus. In the game, popular Korean characters Maltese and Retriever run a bathhouse and help their animal friends unwind. If you’re looking for idle games with a little more to do, this one offers management gameplay with plenty of new locations and decorations to unlock for your bathhouse and characters.
Key Features
- Longer playtime over multiple playthroughs
- Creature collector component
- Built-in Twitch integration
Wishlist these games on Steam, and top up your Steam Wallet on Codashop to earn bonus rewards!
