The Ultimate 12 New Idle Games Like Cookie Clicker With Deep Progression In 2025

The idle gaming revolution, sparked by classics like *Cookie Clicker* over a decade ago, is stronger and more complex than ever. As of December 13, 2025, the genre has evolved far beyond simple clicking, offering players intricate systems of prestige, deep RPG mechanics, and complex resource management that reward long-term strategy over constant attention. If you've tired of the Grandmas and Portals of the original, you're in luck: the current landscape of incremental games is bursting with fresh, highly addictive titles that promise hundreds of hours of satisfying, exponential growth. This list focuses on the newest and most critically acclaimed titles, moving past the simple clicker to explore games with genuine topical authority and deep, satisfying progression loops. The core appeal remains the same—watch numbers go up—but the depth now rivals full-fledged RPGs. The best games similar to *Cookie Clicker* today are those that master the "prestige" loop, where you reset your progress for a permanent, powerful bonus, allowing you to scale to unimaginable heights. We've compiled the top 12 most engaging and up-to-date incremental games that are dominating the scene in 2025, ensuring your next obsession is just a click away.

The New Era of Idle RPGs: Deep Progression and Grind

The most significant evolution in the idle genre is the fusion with Role-Playing Games (RPGs). These titles take the satisfying number-crunching of a clicker game and layer it with skill trees, gear, combat, and exploration, creating a rewarding experience that plays itself while you’re away.

1. Melvor Idle: The RuneScape-Inspired Masterpiece

*Melvor Idle* is often cited as the gold standard for deep, long-term incremental games, especially for those who appreciate the skill-based grinding of *RuneScape*. Unlike traditional clickers, *Melvor* offers a vast, fully-fledged RPG experience where all 20+ skills—from Woodcutting and Mining to Combat and Magic—progress while you're offline. The game’s appeal lies in its incredible depth, offering an endgame that can take months or even years to fully explore. It's a perfect example of a zero-player game that requires strategic planning and resource allocation. * Key Entities: Melvor Idle, Jagex (Publisher), Skill-based progression, Deep combat system, Zero-player game. * Unique Hook: It captures the essence of an MMO grind without the demanding time investment, making it one of the best idle games with deep progression.

2. NGU Idle: The King of Exponential Growth

For players who crave complex, intertwined systems, *NGU Idle* (Number Go Up) is arguably the deepest idle game available. The game is a masterclass in meta-progression, constantly introducing new mechanics like 'Energy' and 'Magic' that feed into dozens of interwoven systems. The core loop involves managing various resources to level up your 'NGU' stats, which in turn boosts everything else. It’s infamous for its sheer volume of content and the satisfying feeling of breaking through a seemingly impossible wall of numbers. * Key Entities: NGU Idle, Deepest idle game, Complex meta-progression, Energy/Magic mechanics, Time-sink incremental. * Unique Hook: It’s a game for those who feel *Cookie Clicker* is too simple; *NGU Idle* is a genuine incremental game with a massive skill ceiling.

3. AFK Journey & Legend of Mushroom: The Mobile Powerhouses

The mobile market is dominated by Idle RPG Games, and two of the freshest titles in 2025 are *AFK Journey* and *Legend of Mushroom*. *AFK Journey* is a sequel that builds on the success of *AFK Arena*, offering high-quality 3D graphics and a compelling team-building/gacha system. *Legend of Mushroom*, meanwhile, offers a more accessible, heartwarming take on the genre, rivaling the ease of play of classic clicker games but with a full RPG structure. These are perfect for players looking for a visually appealing, character-collection-focused experience. * Key Entities: AFK Journey, Legend of Mushroom, Idle RPG, Gacha mechanics, Mobile-first incremental games.

Tycoon and Simulation Clickers: Resource Management Focus

These games take the fundamental *Cookie Clicker* loop—buy buildings to generate currency—and apply it to a specific theme, adding layers of management and simulation complexity.

4. Idle Miner Tycoon & Egg, Inc.: Vertical Empire Building

While not brand new, *Idle Miner Tycoon* and *Egg, Inc.* remain the undisputed champions of the idle tycoon subgenre. *Idle Miner Tycoon* challenges you to manage a full mining operation, hiring managers and upgrading shafts to maximize profit. *Egg, Inc.* is a bizarre, highly addictive game where you breed chickens and research futuristic technologies to create the most valuable eggs in the universe. Both offer a clear, satisfying visual representation of your exponential growth. * Key Entities: Idle Miner Tycoon, Egg, Inc., Tycoon sim, Management mechanics, Prestige system.

5. AdVenture Communist & AdVenture Capitalist: The Satirical Duo

From the same developers who brought you *AdVenture Capitalist* (a foundational clicker game) comes the satirical sequel, *AdVenture Communist*. Instead of chasing profit, you are tasked with generating 'Comrades' and managing resources like Potatoes and Land. These games are renowned for their humorous writing, simple yet effective progression, and the introduction of 'Events' that offer temporary, unique challenges. They are the perfect AdVenture Capitalist alternatives for a lighthearted, yet engaging, experience. * Key Entities: AdVenture Communist, AdVenture Capitalist, Hyper Hippo, Satirical theme, Event-based gameplay.

6. Milky Way Idle: The Fresh Space-Themed Entry

One of the freshest faces in the genre is *Milky Way Idle*, which launched in early access in March 2025 and received its first major content update in April. This game brings the familiar *Melvor Idle* style of deep skill progression to a space-faring theme. Players manage various space-related resources and skills, providing a new setting for the addictive loop of leveling up and resource management. It's a must-try for those looking for the absolute newest idle games. * Key Entities: Milky Way Idle, Early access 2025, Space-faring theme, Newest idle game, Skill-based progression.

The Pure Incrementalists: Clickers with a Twist

These titles stick closer to the *Cookie Clicker* formula but introduce a specific, often complex, twist that adds a layer of intellectual challenge and topical authority.

7. Realm Grinder: Faction-Based Progression

*Realm Grinder* is a classic that remains highly relevant due to its incredible replayability. The game’s unique twist is its Faction system. Early in the game, you choose a faction (e.g., Elves, Goblins, Angels, Demons), and this choice dramatically alters your available upgrades, strategies, and progression path. To truly master the game, you must play as every faction, using their unique bonuses to unlock permanent upgrades for all future runs. * Key Entities: Realm Grinder, Faction system, High replayability, Strategic depth, Classic incremental.

8. Kittens Game & Magic Research: Text-Based Complexity

For the purist who values mechanics over graphics, *Kittens Game* and *Magic Research* are two highly-praised, pay-once titles (often with no in-app purchases) that offer intense complexity. *Kittens Game* starts simply—gathering wood for kittens—but quickly spirals into a complex civilization management game with religion, space exploration, and resource trading. *Magic Research* is a similarly text-heavy game focused on discovering, researching, and casting spells, offering a unique fantasy spin on the genre’s mathematical core. * Key Entities: Kittens Game, Magic Research, Text-based incremental, Civilization management, Pay-once games, No IAP.

9. Trimps: The Strategy-Focused Incremental

*Trimps* is a highly-respected strategy incremental game that uses a unique combat and resource system centered around little 'Trimps' (creatures). The game is known for its clever design and massive depth, requiring players to constantly adjust their strategy based on the current 'Zone' and enemy type. It's a game that rewards smart, tactical play rather than simple brute-force clicking, making it one of the best clicker games with deep strategy. * Key Entities: Trimps, Clever design, Zone-based combat, Tactical incremental, Highly-respected community game.

10. Clicker Heroes 2: The Evolved Clicker

The original *Clicker Heroes* was a pioneer, but its sequel, *Clicker Heroes 2*, refines the formula with a focus on deep talent trees and an automated progression system. While you still click to defeat monsters, the core of the game is building an automated system of upgrades and skills that continue to progress your character even when the game is closed. It’s a perfect bridge between the old-school clicker and the modern idle RPG. * Key Entities: Clicker Heroes 2, Talent trees, Automated progression, Monster-slaying incremental, Evolved clicker.

11. RO Idle Adventure Plus & Chrono Forge: Upcoming 2025 Releases

For those looking ahead, 2025 is bringing even more titles. *RO Idle Adventure Plus* is slated for a February 2025 release, promising a new take on the idle adventure formula. Following that, *Chrono Forge*, a time-traveling idle game, is also scheduled for release this year. Keeping an eye on these upcoming titles is key for any fan of the genre looking for the next big addiction. * Key Entities: RO Idle Adventure Plus, Chrono Forge, Upcoming 2025 releases, Time-traveling idle game, Fresh content.

12. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms: D&D Clicker

*Idle Champions* takes the world of *Dungeons & Dragons* and turns it into an idle game. Players collect and manage a roster of famous D&D heroes, strategically positioning them to maximize their damage and gold generation. The game’s depth comes from its constant stream of new characters, formations, and event challenges, making it a favorite for fans of both the idle genre and tabletop RPGs. The system of resetting for a higher multiplier is central to its addictive core. * Key Entities: Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms, Dungeons & Dragons, Formation strategy, Hero collection, Event challenges.

Why Modern Incremental Games Are So Addictive

The shift from simple clicker games to complex incremental games with deep progression is the reason for the genre's continued topical authority. The modern idle game is a master of psychological reward loops. The primary driver is the concept of Prestige or Ascension. This mechanic, popularized by *Cookie Clicker*'s 'Heavenly Chips,' allows you to reset your progress but gain a permanent, often massive, multiplier. This turns what would be a grind into a cyclical, highly satisfying sense of accelerated growth. Each new run is faster and more powerful than the last, creating a constant feeling of forward momentum, even when you're not actively playing. Furthermore, the integration of Idle Mechanics means that progress is made passively. The game is designed to reward you for *not* playing, turning downtime into a resource. This makes them the ultimate addictive idle games for busy people, allowing you to manage a complex empire or RPG character with just a few minutes of play per day. The best titles in 2025 are those that perfectly balance the active clicking/management phase with the passive, exponential growth phase.