Gaming is usually about winning. The definition of “winning” being subjective, it’s not just about “beating” the game; there are tons of small victories to be had, depending on the genre. With the feeling of success hanging in the balance of keeping a player engaged, it’s been compelling to start exploring a certain genre that’s gaining a lot of traction on Steam: the incremental game. A genre that has taken on several forms, whether it be wave-based challenges with upgrades in between or building up an economy with the intent to prestige, there are already dozens of Very Positive/Overwhelmingly Positive titles available to sink into.

The first incremental game I stumbled upon is arguably the genre’s most popular, Cookie Clicker. Crossing paths with the “clicker” and “idle” genres, I didn’t realize it at the time, but this was a game where the purchasing of upgrades and an eventual prestige was its focal point. Managing a currency (or multiple) is tantamount to incrementals, and as much time will be spent in the upgrade/buying screens as in the actual combat/overview screens. Keeping an eye on what to focus on next sounds like a chore, but it is actually part of the appeal of incremental games: honing in on your next big success.

Witnessing your progress is another massively addictive part of incremental gaming. It’s what hooked me into roguelite gaming, as both of these genres are all about the upgrades. In the case of incremental, though, a modicum of the difficulty doesn’t lie within reflexes in combat. It’s all about resource management and long-term decision-making. One upgrade may bear fruit in the late game, whereas an instant gratification upgrade nets you an edge to lead you to easier purchases into a snowball effect. On top of that, deciding on upgrades within prestiges to make subsequent runs a cinch is a whole meta-game within itself.

There really is no shortage of great incremental games to dig into at this time. Astro Prospector is an easy segue from roguelikes with its bullet-hell nature, whereas Tower Wizard can truly show you how gradual prestiges can deliver on the speediness of runs in no time at all. My personal favorite has been Digseum, requiring me to put on my thinking cap to maximize the bite-sized runs, as well as blazing through early levels in the late game. Typically aligned with a minimalist presentation, they’re all designed to run on just about any computer, removing any barriers to entry in that realm.

The best part about incremental games? Since they’re designed to be short-but-sweet experiences, they’re all priced cheaper than a cup of coffee. With most games dancing around a $2.99 price point, it’s a no-brainer to grab one on a whim, beat it in a long sitting, and come away with an immense feeling of satisfaction. It has been an immense pleasure snatching up all of these games, and realizing there’s even more to discover down the road by simply typing “incremental” into Steam’s search bar. With most of these games dropping in 2025, I’m seriously excited for the future of incremental gaming.

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