Cookie Clicker

About

Cookie Clicker is a free-to-play incremental game where you bake cookies to make more cookies, using a variety of upgrades and helpers. With over 600 upgrades, 500 achievements, and additional features like mini-games, a dragon pet, and community-made mods, there's always something new to discover. Your progress is saved to the cloud, ensuring your cookie empire is safe. Enjoy the musical stylings of C418 as you bake to your heart's content.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 45,102 reviews

music363 positive mentions

grinding248 negative mentions

The humor in 'Cookie Clicker' is widely praised for its quirky charm, clever writing, and satirical take on capitalism, providing an entertaining experience.
The addictive gameplay combines idle mechanics with engaging progression, making it appealing for both casual and dedicated players.
The charming pixel-art graphics and relaxing soundtrack create an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall gameplay experience.

Many players find the gameplay to be repetitive and grindy, especially in the later stages, requiring significant time investment for completionist goals.
The game suffers from stability issues, including crashes, graphical glitches, and memory leaks, which can lead to frustrating experiences.
While the game has a unique charm, some players criticize the lack of a traditional narrative and depth, describing the story as minimal or non-existent.

music
796 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
54%
1%
The music in Cookie Clicker, composed by c418 (known for his work on Minecraft), has received widespread acclaim for its relaxing and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the soothing soundtrack, which complements the idle nature of the game, making it enjoyable to play in the background while engaging in other activities. While some users noted the repetitiveness of the tracks, the majority agree that the music is a significant draw for the Steam version, making the purchase worthwhile for fans of the genre.
- “The soundtrack, composed by c418 (of Minecraft fame), is a delightful surprise, providing a chill and oddly fitting backdrop to your cookie empire.”
- “The game’s music is amazing and fits perfectly with the gameplay, but that’s no surprise since it was composed by c418.”
- “The soundtrack, handcrafted by none other than c418, provides a relaxing and immersive experience.”
- “You will be forever forced to listen to fake Minecraft music even when closed by task manager, the same song, for all eternity.”
- “I wished it had more variety of music background soundtracks; in the current state I play, there is only one soundtrack that plays in a loop.”
- “The music had no right to slap this hard.”
gameplay
783 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
70%
3%
The gameplay of "Cookie Clicker" is characterized by its addictive simplicity, revolving around clicking to generate cookies and using them to purchase upgrades, which creates a satisfying progression loop. While the game offers a variety of mechanics and mini-games that add depth, many players find the core gameplay can become repetitive over time, especially in the later stages. Overall, it successfully combines idle mechanics with active gameplay elements, making it appealing for both casual and dedicated players, though some may find the complexity overwhelming.
- “The game shines as an idle experience—letting you step away while your cookie count grows exponentially—but it’s also incredibly engaging if you want to dive deep into its mechanics.”
- “Cookie clicker is a deceptively simple game that offers deep and engaging gameplay mechanics.”
- “Its addictive nature, balanced gameplay, and charming presentation make it a standout title in the vast sea of gaming options.”
- “The gameplay grinds to a halt rather quickly and is thus rather time-consuming and mindless.”
- “Not exciting at all, no strategy to it, no gameplay, nothing.”
- “The gameplay is unapologetically shallow and repetitive.”
humor
387 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Cookie Clicker" is widely praised for its quirky charm and clever writing, with players enjoying the absurdity of its premise and the amusing descriptions of upgrades and achievements. Many reviews highlight the game's satirical take on capitalism and its self-referential jokes, which contribute to a light-hearted and entertaining experience. Overall, the blend of dark humor, whimsical elements, and playful commentary keeps players engaged and amused throughout their cookie-baking journey.
- “Lore is pretty funny and messed up, great commentary on modern day capitalism.”
- “The quirky upgrades, hilarious descriptions, and witty pop culture references inject the game with a delightful sense of humor that never fails to bring a smile to your face.”
- “The humor and charm sprinkled throughout the game, from quirky upgrades to amusing achievements, add a delightful layer of personality that enhances the overall experience.”
- “Hahaha--that's still not funny.”
- “I've realized I'm not funny and my attempts at humor keep me awake at night, so maybe I'll write something 'normal'.”
story
387 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
70%
8%
The reviews for the "story" aspect of the game are highly mixed, with many players noting a lack of traditional narrative or depth, often describing it as minimal or non-existent. However, some players appreciate the quirky and absurd lore that emerges through gameplay, finding it engaging and even emotionally resonant at times. Overall, while the game may not have a conventional story, it offers a unique blend of humor and unexpected twists that some players find compelling.
- “The way the game manages to spin an actual story that is equal parts funny, shocking, and creepy out of such a simple, abstracted gameplay loop is fantastic.”
- “The lore and incredible storytelling you get from the news articles at the top of the screen is incredible; the game mechanics and minigames are all interesting, unique, and enjoyable.”
- “Cookie clicker is one of the most story-rich games I have ever played.”
- “It's a game that you play when you don't feel like committing to a story or trying too hard; there's no dialogue or cutscenes, there's no need to be on your top game, you just get comfy in your chair and click cookies, and damn is it addicting.”
- “The story is as deep as a puddle.”
- “Interesting game but obviously no story whatsoever.”
graphics
291 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
73%
1%
The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many users praising the charming pixel-art style and vibrant visuals that enhance the whimsical tone of the gameplay. While some reviews mention minor graphical errors, the overall aesthetic is described as delightful and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's appeal. Players appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness of the graphics, which evoke nostalgia while providing a visually satisfying experience.
- “10/10 game, graphics are so good that you would forget that it's a game.”
- “The graphics are so detailed I forget I'm playing a game.”
- “The game's visuals are bright and cheerful, and the sound effects are delightful.”
- “The controls are awful, the graphics are terrible, and there's no movement.”
- “My PC met the game's specs, I set all the graphics on minimum, and it still locked my PC into a forced shutdown three times just because I hovered over a description or tried to close a menu.”
- “It's a fun game until your game crashes and then gives you a black screen when you reopen the game; I tried everything and it did not work. A lot of people have problems where the game will not start at all, like my game runs, you can hear when you click the cookie (if you can find it), but there is no graphics, just a black screen.”
grinding
275 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
9%
90%
The reviews highlight that "Cookie Clicker" is a highly grindy game, particularly in the late stages, requiring significant time investment to achieve completionist goals. While many players find the grinding aspect enjoyable and rewarding, others describe it as tedious and time-consuming, often needing to balance it with other activities. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate idle and clicker mechanics, but it may not be suitable for everyone due to its extensive grinding requirements.
- “This is fun and not grindy.”
- “That still doesn't cover the fact that it takes 2.36 'years' to get all towers to level 10 for all those achievements with the best setup but not farming seed logs.”
- “A fair bit of grinding.”
- “If you like watching paint dry and divorce papers on your desk the next day because you spent the entire week farming cookies, I think this one's for you!”
- “You have some stuff to do in addition to speed up the cookie gathering, sure, but it's extremely tedious to get the later achievements and there's just not that much gameplay there to enjoy.”
- “The amounts of grinding you'll need to get all the achievements are just unreasonable.”
monetization
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
33%
39%
The monetization model of the game is highly praised for its lack of advertisements and microtransactions, offering a one-time purchase option that enhances the experience without ongoing costs. Players appreciate the $5 price for the Steam version, which provides additional features like cloud saving and mod support, while the free browser version is also available but includes ads. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ethical approach to monetization, allowing players to enjoy the gameplay without the pressure of in-game purchases.
- “The game is also dirt cheap and unlike all the other mobile idles we're used to, this one has no premium currency and no in-game purchases; if you bought the game, you bought the game.”
- “No microtransactions, just a flat one-time purchase!”
- “It's a clicker game not bogged down by microtransactions, and the granddaddy of all clickers.”
- “In a way, I sort of hate Cookie Clicker for starting the idle game trend, because all of its successors greedily injected in-app purchases into a game that did not need them.”
- “The only early (and very, very minor) criticism I have is that this port of a beloved free-to-play game (the web version is supported by unobtrusive ads and some Patreons) is $5.”
- “Basically the game responsible for spawning 8.3 billion iOS clones which serve as advertisement platforms between allowing you to press 1-2 buttons on screen before asking you to watch another advertisement.”
replayability
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
52%
5%
The game's replayability is highly praised, with many players noting its endless layers of upgrades, achievements, and community-made mods that enhance customization options. While some reviews mention a lack of replayability after completion, the inclusion of prestige systems and various gameplay elements keeps players engaged and encourages repeated play. Overall, the game is regarded as having exceptional replay value, appealing to both casual players and completionists alike.
- “Highly recommended for anyone looking for a fun and endlessly replayable game!”
- “The inclusion of community-made mods through Steam Workshop further enhances the game's replayability and customization options.”
- “The game has endless replayability and addictiveness.”
- “No replayability.”
- “It's not a game that has much replayability after finishing it (since it's an idle game), but it would also feel kind of pointless to leave it at 80-90% and just get on with life.”
- “The game was significantly smaller, with less content, less features, and less replayability.”
optimization
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
64%
9%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements over the browser version, including smoother performance and lower resource usage. However, some users have reported issues such as lag spikes, high CPU usage, and memory leaks, suggesting that while the game is generally well-optimized, there are still areas that require further refinement. Overall, the game runs well on a variety of systems, but players may experience performance hits when running it in the background or during intensive gameplay.
- “Same classic browser game as it ever was, but smoother, more optimized, and makes good use of the PC platform.”
- “The game's balance between active clicking and passive progression ensures that it caters to both casual players seeking a relaxing experience and hardcore enthusiasts craving optimization challenges.”
- “In addition, the optimization is amazing, often taking less CPU and memory than its HTML-based counterpart, even sometimes using as little as 0.5% of my CPU.”
- “The game is very poorly optimized though.”
- “Game suffers from bad optimization featuring insane memory leaking; when it launched almost ten years ago it worked perfectly in a browser, and now as a native application it eats up to 2GB of working memory.”
- “Not sure why, but the optimization is horrible for the port to Steam, PC from web.”
emotional
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' deep attachments to its whimsical yet poignant narrative, with many expressing feelings of nostalgia, joy, and even sadness as they navigate its quirky world. The juxtaposition of lighthearted cookie-clicking with darker themes, such as the "grandmapocalypse," evokes a range of emotions, making it a surprisingly impactful experience for an idle game. Overall, players find themselves emotionally invested, often reflecting on personal memories and connections while engaging with the game's unique charm.
- “The emotional weight of this dilemma is truly overwhelming.”
- “It has a wonderful story, very emotional; I almost cried.”
- “But then I somehow stumbled into Cookie Clicker again, and it reminded me of all those memories, all those moments we had together while she was playing it, or the conversations we had about the game, even, sometimes, she explaining to me the tricks she discovered that made her a lot of cookies really fast and stuff like that, and it made me feel a lot better somehow, trying to see the game through her eyes, trying to remember how I felt when we were together and why I loved her so much...”
atmosphere
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
45%
15%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming pixelated graphics, whimsical soundtrack, and lighthearted tone, creating an inviting and immersive environment. Players appreciate the delightful cookie-themed visuals and the engaging sound design, which together foster a cozy and endearing atmosphere that encourages prolonged gameplay. Additionally, the game's quirky humor and unique elements, such as the grandmapocalypse, add depth to the overall experience, making it a standout in the genre.
- “Delightful presentation: charming pixelated graphics and a whimsical soundtrack by C418 create a lighthearted atmosphere.”
- “Immersive atmosphere - captivating environment.”
- “The game's tongue-in-cheek humor, quirky upgrade names, and amusing achievements create an endearing atmosphere that draws players in and keeps them coming back for more.”
- “He could sense a subtle shift in the room's atmosphere, a heaviness that made him shiver.”
- “The soundtrack creates a comfortable cozy atmosphere.”
- “The game's sound design and music are simple but effective, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
stability
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
84%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a generally bug-free experience, while others encounter significant issues such as freezing, graphical glitches, and crashes. Notably, problems arise when using boosts or during specific events like "cookie storms," leading to a frustrating gameplay experience for some users. Additionally, there are concerns about memory leaks and interference with other applications, indicating that the game's stability may vary widely depending on the user's setup.
- “The game runs great on Steam Play.”
- “There are no glitches.”
- “It's completely bug-free.”
- “Only major gripe I have was whenever I got a cookie storm, I'd get tons of visual glitches all over the game screen, and the only thing that fixed it was closing the game and restarting.”
- “First, it does not even start properly; it crashes instantly. Yes, there is a thread that several people are affected. It needs some complicated workaround. Then it at least starts, but still slow and has some graphical glitches... on a clicker game!”
- “There are three key problems with the game at the moment: it's buggy, it has a memory leak, and it breaks controller support for any other games running at the same time.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is highly praised, with players noting a compelling storyline and emotional depth, particularly highlighted by a poignant ending. However, one review humorously critiques the character development of the cookies, suggesting a lack of depth in that aspect. Overall, the main character's journey resonates strongly with players, enhancing their overall experience.
- “Best game ever! This game has the best storyline of any game I have ever played, with great character development. The ending was very sad when the main character died. :(”