Incremental games have evolved significantly since their inception. The genre gained prominence with games like "Cookie Clicker" but has roots tracing back to "Progress Quest" in 2002. Over the years, developers have introduced intricate mechanics and narratives, transforming these games into complex ecosystems.

Incremental games, often referred to as idle or clicker games, are a unique genre that captivates players through a blend of simplicity and complexity. At its core, the gameplay revolves around performing rudimentary actions—such as clicking or waiting—to amass resources. Over time, these resources can be invested in various upgrades, which in turn accelerate resource accumulation.

For instance, in "Wizard Banished," you start with limited energy that regenerates slowly. You can collect bugs by clicking on icons, which increases your maximum energy. Snails can be lured using these bugs to enhance your energy regeneration rate. Alternatively, you can sell bugs to villagers for gold, another valuable resource. The game presents you with choices: Do you focus on energy, gold, or a balance of both? Each decision impacts your progression speed, but fear not, for the game is forgiving of mistakes. As you advance, new upgrades and mechanics are unlocked, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.

Incremental games often incorporate "prestige" mechanics, allowing players to reset their progress for various bonuses, adding layers of strategy and replayability.

Incremental games are a diverse genre with a multitude of subgenres, each offering unique gameplay mechanics and experiences. Below is a list of some of these subgenres:

• Idle Game: Games that accumulate resources over time without the need for constant player interaction. Progress continues even when you're not actively playing.
• Clicker Game: Requires constant clicking or tapping from the player to progress. The more you click, the more resources you gather.
• Idle Clicker Game: Combines elements of both idle and clicker games. You can speed up your progress by actively clicking on certain elements.
• Prestige Game: Focuses on the "prestige" mechanic where players reset their progress to gain bonuses. The reset is a core gameplay element.
• Managerial Game: Players act as a manager, making decisions that affect resource accumulation. Often includes business or economic themes.
• RPG Incremental: Combines RPG elements like leveling up and quests with incremental mechanics. Offers more complex gameplay elements.
• Strategy Incremental: Incorporates strategy elements, requiring players to make tactical decisions to optimize resource gathering.
• Simulation Incremental: Simulates real-world activities or systems, where progress is incremental.
• Narrative Incremental: Story-driven games where the narrative unfolds as you progress incrementally.
• Multiplayer Incremental: Allows multiple players to contribute to incremental progress, often in a competitive or cooperative manner.
• Adventure Incremental: Features exploration and adventure elements, often with a map or dungeon to navigate.
• Puzzle Incremental: Incorporates puzzle-solving elements that can speed up or unlock new avenues of incremental progress.
• Tower Defense Incremental: Combines tower defense mechanics with incremental growth, often in terms of tower upgrades.
• Crafting Incremental: Focuses on crafting items as the main form of incremental progress.
• Farming Incremental: Centers around agricultural activities, where you plant, harvest, and sell crops incrementally.
• Combat Incremental: Features combat elements where you incrementally improve your fighting abilities or army.
• Educational Incremental: Designed to educate the player about a particular subject while offering incremental gameplay.
• Survival Incremental: Combines survival elements like resource management in a hostile environment with incremental mechanics.
• Space Incremental: Set in space, often involving the incremental gathering of celestial resources or planetary colonization.
• Trading Incremental: Focuses on trading resources or stocks as the main form of incremental progress.
• Exploration Incremental: The main focus is on exploring new territories or dimensions as a form of incremental progress.
• Social Incremental: Designed to be played in a social setting, often with features like leaderboards and guilds.
• Incremental Card Game: Incorporates card game mechanics, where the deck improves incrementally.
• Incremental Board Game: A board game format where players make incremental progress around a board.
• Incremental Puzzle Game: A subgenre of puzzle games where solving puzzles leads to incremental progress.
• Incremental Tycoon: A business simulation game where you make incremental progress in building your own empire.
• Incremental Dungeon Crawler: Combines dungeon crawling with incremental mechanics, often with loot-based progression.
• Incremental City Builder: Focuses on building a city incrementally, often with resource management elements.
• Incremental Dating Sim: Incorporates dating simulation elements where relationships progress incrementally.
• Incremental Roguelike: Combines roguelike elements with incremental mechanics, often with randomly generated levels.

History

Incremental games are a genre that combines simple actions with complex decisions, offering a unique blend of engagement and relaxation. Games like "Wizard Banished" exemplify this by introducing various mechanics and choices as players progress.

Benefits

Incremental games offer a unique blend of relaxation and engagement. They are perfect for multitasking, allowing players to feel a sense of progression without requiring constant attention. The genre also appeals to our psychological need for growth and achievement, often leading to a "just one more click" mentality.

Tips

1. Prioritize Upgrades: Focus on upgrades that provide long-term benefits.
2. Balance Resources: Know when to save and when to spend.
3. Experiment: Don't be afraid to reset and try different strategies.
4. Patience is Key: Some of the best rewards come from letting the game idle.
5. Understand Prestige: Use the prestige mechanic wisely to maximize bonuses.
6. Set Goals: Having a target can make the grind more enjoyable.
7. Research: Look up tips and tricks from the community.
8. Take Breaks: Avoid burnout by stepping away occasionally.
9. Explore: New mechanics are often hidden; don't be afraid to click around.
10. Enjoy the Journey: Remember, it's not just about the end; the journey matters too.