Industry Idle
- September 13, 2024
- Fish Pond Studio
- 169h median play time
"Industry Idle" is a simulation game where players build and manage over 130 factories, produce and trade 90+ resources, and navigate a realistic market simulation. The game features 12 procedurally generated maps, detailed data tools, and the ability to unlock powerful policies. Players can choose their own playstyle, either micromanaging every detail or trusting the game AI, and can earn offline based on their company's valuation. The game also includes prestige mechanics and upgrades.
Reviews
- Engaging gameplay that combines resource management and trading mechanics, appealing to fans of games like Factorio.
- Active developer support with frequent updates and a friendly community that enhances the gaming experience.
- The game is free to play with optional DLC that adds value without being necessary for enjoyment.
- Progression can stall quickly, leading to repetitive gameplay and a lack of clear direction after initial hours.
- The user interface can be unintuitive, making it difficult for new players to understand game mechanics and manage resources effectively.
- Recent updates have introduced mechanics that limit trading and progression, frustrating players who prefer a more relaxed idle experience.
- gameplay51 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this idle game is characterized by a deep and intricate system that includes unique mechanics like trading and production cycles, but it suffers from a lack of clarity and an inadequate tutorial, making it difficult for players to fully grasp its complexities. While the game offers engaging elements such as real-world city bonuses and a player-driven economy, recent updates have introduced frustrating limitations like trading quotas that detract from the overall experience. Despite its immersive mechanics, many players find the gameplay tedious and poorly designed, leading to a mixed reception.
“This is a fun little idle game with some fun trade and chatting mechanics too.”
“The economy mechanic of the game is quite unique, player-based.”
“If you love production-type games but none of the 'pressure' mechanics like biters in Factorio, then this is the game for you.”
“It lacks character and feels tedious in the end, plus it could benefit from a proper in-game tutorial or some scenarios to teach you the different game mechanics.”
“Gameplay pushing the player outside of the game for info = poorly designed and infuriating time waster.”
“Terrible logistical control, poor electricity management, poor production cycle control, when buying from local you have no way to determine how much the price will increase.”
- graphics19 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as simplistic and low in detail, with some users noting that the visuals lack color and clarity, making gameplay elements hard to distinguish. However, the clean interface and symbolic icons are appreciated for their functionality, allowing players to focus on strategy rather than visual flair. Overall, while the graphics may not impress, they serve the game's immersive and complex gameplay well, appealing to those who prioritize depth over aesthetics.
“Definitely recommended, especially if your system is low spec and can't handle graphic-heavy games.”
“Simplistic yet pleasant graphics.”
“The game is not graphics laden, using symbolic icons on a crisp and easy to understand interface to explain things instead and it works very well.”
“The game's graphics made it hard to make anything out; the tutorial did not explain what the % on the side meant, nor how to connect routes together, how to use the central bank, or how to make money through exports.”
“There are zero fancy graphics.”
“Something about the art style means everything feels the same.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- -29 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and lacking in character, often leading to a sense of boredom over time. While some note that the grind becomes more manageable with permanent upgrades, others feel that the game could benefit from better tutorials and more engaging mechanics to alleviate the repetitive nature of grinding. Overall, the grind is seen as both addictive and frustrating, with mixed opinions on its impact on the overall enjoyment of the game.
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
“The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel well-earned.”
“I love how the grinding mechanics encourage exploration and experimentation with different strategies.”
“It lacks character and feels tedious in the end, plus it could benefit from a proper in-game tutorial or some scenarios to teach you the different game mechanics.”
“It is a fun game, but after a while it's just grinding and nothing happens anymore.”
“1/6 value would be great -- in my opinion -- but this number is a joke, and the game is a massive grinding bore to play it like it's a real game.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it grating and quickly muting it due to its repetitiveness. However, others appreciate its relaxing quality, suggesting it complements a casual gaming experience well, even if it may not suit everyone's taste. Overall, while the music may not be universally appealing, it serves as a background element that allows for a laid-back gaming atmosphere.
“This should have the 'Sit Back and Relax' award because it is a game that you can just sit down and play by yourself while watching videos or listening to music, and it's just relaxing and easy to play.”
“So this game is 9/10 as the music isn't really my style.”
“Overall missing a lot of quality of life features, grating music and obnoxious sound effects that got muted in under a minute.”
“Music that would turn off after 5 minutes.”
“Obnoxiously slow early progression that is outright punishing to poking your nose around to try something out.”
- story4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game lacks a substantial story, leading to a slow progression that becomes increasingly difficult to navigate as the plot unfolds, leaving players feeling unable to make meaningful changes in time.
“No story.”
“The game gets slow as the price of plot increases exponentially, but by the time you figure it out, it's too late to make changes.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game features a straightforward monetization model, offering two affordable DLCs that significantly expand content without any intrusive ads or microtransactions. Players appreciate the lack of aggressive monetization tactics, allowing for a more enjoyable gameplay experience focused on progression.
“Fun idle game with an easy to learn, hard to master system that once you get feels really nice to have everything set up. No ads either, with 2 cheap DLCs that add pretty much triple the stuff and locations for $10.”
“It is undeniably an idle game, but there is zero monetization besides the expansion pack, which is exclusively just more content.”
“Because it's not based on making you watch ads or buy microtransactions, the actual game and progression is quite enjoyable.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while the game design aims for optimization, players experience significant performance issues, leading to a mixed perception of its overall optimization quality. Despite the intention for efficiency, the actual performance is described as subpar.
“Performance 9/10”
“While it is not compulsory to make everything organized, it is part of the game design to make everything as optimized as possible.”
“There is nothing to draw or calculate, but the performance is just garbage.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits stability issues, with some critical bugs that can significantly impact gameplay, such as malfunctioning warehouse features. Despite these problems, players still find the game enjoyable and engaging.
“It's a bit buggy, and some bugs are fatal (e.g. the warehouse doesn't work as intended), but it's a very fun and interesting idle builder game.”
“Tried to resolve it using their suggested troubleshooting steps including setting my profile to public and meeting the criteria to be excluded from having a Steam limited account.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever updates aimed at balancing gameplay for both cheaters and honest players, while also featuring amusing scenarios, such as running a quirky business selling maple syrup shoes in Vancouver, which adds a lighthearted and entertaining element to the experience.
“It's funny because each of these updates aims at stopping cheaters while trying to help the normal players without impacting them.”
“I went on and bought the expansion pack DLC, and I absolutely do not regret my purchase. Setting up shop in Vancouver and starting my business selling shoes made from maple syrup got me laughing so hard!”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is marred by poor support and a toxic community, leading to a negative overall experience for players.
“Terrible game support and toxic atmosphere.”