Desktop looking a little lifeless? Thankfully, a contemporary resurgence in incremental games, often called “idlers,” allows even the busiest bees to incorporate some whimsy back into their tech.
Virtual pets, widgets, and other interactibles are seamlessly integrated right onto your desktop, and like a houseplant potted near the sun, they require little else. Even if you’re OOO, many of these low-key titles progress without player interaction.
With the added zhuzh of a cute idler, you can add a little lightheartedness to your workspace. Whether you’re looking for a more involved point-and-click or want to take a wait-and-watch approach, these 10 low-profile downloads — all available via digital game retailer Steam — add some excitement without being distracting or demanding.
Rusty’s Retirement
This self-sufficient farming sim sits right at the bottom of your display, so you can let your cyber-crops catch some rays while you catch up on your workload. Intermittently supervise your sun-soaked plot of land without having to worry about how your not-so-green thumb might impact the harvest. The best part? It’s only $6.99.
Ropuka’s Idle Island
For just a few bucks, you can invite relaxation-loving frog Ropuka and his grassy isle to join your home screen. As he mows the ever-growing terrain, keep hold of any clippings! You can trade those in later for some cute and quirky property enhancements.
Fish to Dish: Idle Sushi
In Fish to Dish: Idle Sushi, players are pulling double duty. As a fisherman and sushi chef, you’re doing all the work yourself, but who would’ve thought such a jam-packed schedule would be so cute? Surrounded by sea life, players must fish for today’s fresh catch and transform each scaly critter into a striking sushi assortment.
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Tiny Pasture
Tiny Pasture, a charming desktop idler available for just $5.99, plants precious digital pets right onto your screen. Have a Tamagotchi in the 90s? You’re already ready to start! Affordable Tiny Pasture DLC is abundant, too, so if you get attached, there’s plenty more where that came from.
Gourdlets
Watercolor-inspired illustration amplifies the cuteness in Gourdlets (as if it needed help!). Curate a quaint vegetable community in a game free of high-pressure scoring or demanding objectives. Play at your own pace and live leisurely alongside your thriving veggie village!
Not Monday Cafe
If you played “restaurant” as a kid, you’re a shoo-in for a management gig at this farm-to-table desktop cafe! Grow and gather ingredients that you’ll later plate up and serve to some precious, hungry guests.
Not Monday Cafe is available on Steam for just $8.99, making it a markedly cheaper alternative to opening a real mom-and-pop shop.
Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat
Craft your cushy small biz just how you want it in Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat. Color-coordinate your front-loaders, spruce up the space with custom decor, and kick off the start of your community-serving enterprise. If only I could get the “clean laundry” smell to come through the display, too…
Maltese’s Fluffy Onsen
Operate your own onsen, a traditional Japanese hot spring bath facility. At your hospitable spa-like retreat, furry, four-legged visitors can engage in social interactions or unwind independently. Keeping an eye on your operation is simple — just check the bottom of your screen!
My Little Life
Play “house” without the added expenses in My Little Life. Despite a breadth of career options and other customizable elements, this idle sim is far less involved than titles like The Sims, so you don’t have to worry about their personal journey while simultaneously juggling your own.
Idle Waters
Thankfully, real-life fishing has enough idle time that a desktop version doesn’t feel like too much of a stretch. Hang back, catch fish, enhance your equipment, and ultimately curate your own aquarium of sea life.
When fishing, anglers must remain continually attentive. In Idle Waters, however, your hard work won’t be for naught when you log off.
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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