Melvor Idle
- November 18, 2021
- Games by Malcs
- 71h median play time
Get on SteamMelvor Idle is a browser-based simulation game that offers a unique idle gaming experience. It combines elements of RPG, management, and strategy games, allowing players to manage resources, fight monsters, and complete quests. The game features various skills to learn and master, including combat, fishing, and cooking, providing hours of addictive gameplay. However, it requires a subscription to access all features, which might not appeal to all players.
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Reviews
- gameplay740 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Melvor Idle is a blend of idle mechanics and traditional RPG elements, drawing heavily from the systems of RuneScape. While it offers a deep and engaging experience with numerous skills and progression paths, many players find the gameplay loop repetitive and reliant on micromanagement, especially in the early stages. The game is praised for its addictive nature and extensive content, but some criticize its lack of intuitive mechanics and the absence of a more dynamic gameplay experience, leading to a perception of it being a "spreadsheet fantasy."
“It takes the best aspects of idle mechanics and blends them with a rich, RuneScape-inspired RPG system that keeps you hooked for hours on end.”
“The depth in gameplay is staggering for an idle game—there's so much to explore, from combat and crafting to farming and fishing, with every skill feeling meaningful and rewarding.”
“Melvor Idle is a captivating idle RPG that offers a rich blend of gameplay mechanics and progression systems.”
“Boring gameplay loop”
“A lot of mechanics are really unintuitive, and gear progression is absolutely awful.”
“In fact, I would argue it's much less interesting once you've learned the core gameplay loop.”
- grinding612 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Melvor Idle" is a central feature that players either love or find tedious. Many appreciate the game's ability to capture the satisfying progression of traditional MMORPGs like RuneScape while allowing for idle gameplay, enabling players to engage in grinding without the time-consuming tasks of active play. However, some reviews highlight that the game can become overly grindy and repetitive, with certain skills requiring significant time investment and micromanagement, which may detract from the overall enjoyment for some players.
“A take on RuneScape without a monthly subscription, no tedious carpal tunnel clicking, no running from point A to B for a 12-hour long quest, and a built-in bot.”
“RuneScape but no tedious in-world balancing (bank running, inventory full).”
“It's not a game I would normally care about as I love adventuring, not grinding out numbers.”
“It's a painfully grindy, uneventful game with little payoff and the UI is terribly inconsistent and difficult to grasp.”
“The very definition of tedious, this game likes to waste your time in the most dreadful ways possible.”
“At some point grinding started to take so long that I completely lost interest in the game.”
- graphics280 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of Melvor Idle are largely described as simplistic and minimalistic, often compared to a spreadsheet rather than a traditional game, which may not appeal to players seeking high-quality visuals. While some appreciate the clean and functional design, others criticize the lack of animations and the generic art style, feeling it detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game prioritizes gameplay mechanics over visual appeal, making it suitable for those who prefer a more streamlined, idle gaming experience.
“The game’s charm is further enhanced by its pixel art style and relaxing soundtrack, creating a pleasant and immersive experience.”
“The visual design of Melvor Idle is simple yet effective, focusing on clarity and functionality rather than elaborate graphics.”
“Incredibly fun for what it is, which is just skilling on Runescape without staring at the graphics.”
“It isn't much to look at, there's no sound at all, no animations and basic visuals.”
“There's also no real graphics, and the game looks almost entirely like a spreadsheet.”
“The graphics can come across as relatively 'cheap' as a lot of the graphical images and pictures of foes/items come across as quite generic and some even bordering on lookalikes of those Facebook/Twitter emojis.”
- monetization244 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is highly praised, with users consistently noting the absence of microtransactions, which is a rarity in the idle game genre. Players appreciate the straightforward purchase model, where the game is bought upfront with optional DLCs that do not affect core gameplay, allowing for a relaxed and enjoyable experience without aggressive monetization tactics. Overall, the game's commitment to a no-microtransaction policy has been seen as a significant positive, enhancing player satisfaction and community engagement.
“In a world filled with microtransactions or shady practices, this game delivers on its promise.”
“The developer values community feedback, constantly pushes content and hotfixes, and hasn’t riddled the game with microtransactions.”
“Honestly, the best idle game on the market with no silly microtransactions to boot.”
“Since it is though, I have a much harsher criticism: this is an advertisement that you pay for.”
“I used to play a lot and I mean a lot of runescape, but recently it seems the game has lost its personality and I have grown very frustrated with the game's overall lack of polish, pay-to-win microtransactions, and many other issues I won't mention here or this review will turn into a book.”
“I'm not seeing the level of depth I hoped for, especially for the price tag, when other similar games also on other platforms (realm grinder and wami) do it for free and instead have options to buy things to support to replace ads.”
- story198 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its minimal presence, with many players noting the absence of traditional quests and narrative depth. While some appreciate the freedom and incremental progress of the idle gameplay, others express a desire for more structured storytelling and quests to enhance engagement and provide clearer goals. Overall, the game is seen as lacking in compelling narrative elements, making it less appealing for those seeking a rich RPG experience.
“There is lore, a story, and the skills and items all make sense in the context of this game.”
“Seriously, this game has some depth and even a story to string you along.”
“By fighting monsters, leveling up, and training different professions, you will develop a plot that will be unique to you.”
“Very little to no story, so no drive to get anything done.”
“There's no 'story' element to it, there's no 'why', there's no world building at all.”
“It's the leveling and grind experience in its purest form, so it's a downside for players expecting worldbuilding or at least some story.”
- music90 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's music aspect has received mixed feedback, with many players expressing disappointment over the complete absence of sound effects and a soundtrack. While some appreciate the relaxing nature of the gameplay without music, others feel that the lack of audio detracts from the overall experience, suggesting that incorporating a soundtrack, even from nostalgic sources like Old School RuneScape, would enhance immersion. Overall, the consensus leans towards a desire for at least minimal musical accompaniment to enrich the gameplay atmosphere.
“The game’s charm is further enhanced by its pixel art style and relaxing soundtrack, creating a pleasant and immersive experience.”
“By far the best idler with a crisp visual style and breathtaking soundtrack!”
“Half the joy of having Runescape on a second monitor is the sound design, from chopping trees to the music in Catherby while you fish, and the little jingles that play when you level a skill.”
“The game has no music or sound, and very little in the way of graphics.”
“This game apparently has no music or sound effects whatsoever, making it even more dull than it already is.”
“Where is the music? It just feels way too weird playing this game in silence.”
- optimization38 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 37 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players highlighting significant performance issues, particularly on mobile devices and during late-game play, leading to bugs and stuttering that detract from the experience. While the skill synergies and mechanics offer a deep and engaging optimization experience, the overall performance problems have made it frustrating for some users, suggesting that the game is currently unoptimized and buggy. Despite these concerns, some players still find enjoyment in the optimization aspects, indicating that the core gameplay remains solid.
“All of the skills complement each other, and ultimately make you better at combat. This rabbit hole of optimization of what to do next can get very addicting.”
“The skill synergies make everything connected and provide depth on optimization, and the combat managed to keep things interesting in the end game with high-tier drops and unique mechanics.”
“There is some problem solving to be had, and some math if you want to be the most optimized you can.”
“Today, it is an unoptimized and buggy mess from the DLC extensions that it is barely playable once you get far enough.”
“I want to give it a thumbs up but the performance on PC is horrible.”
“Resources would sometimes not be given out correctly or would outright disappear, icons frequently needed multiple clicks to register, and occasional stuttering issues made Melvor feel like a cheap flash game from the early 2000's.”
- humor34 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of clever in-jokes, amusing references to other games like RuneScape, and a lighthearted approach to gameplay, such as the appeal of "funny numbers" and the absurdity of botting without consequences. While some players find the abundance of memes excessive, the overall community and developer humor contribute positively to the experience, making it enjoyable despite a noted lack of funny quests. The game's design and art are also praised, enhancing the comedic elements throughout.
“As other reviews have hilariously pointed out: it's like botting but you don't get banned for it, ha!”
“The best part about RuneScape without having to worry about the worst: you get to see funny numbers go up, but without having to actually play the game!”
“Love the interface, love the skills, love the RuneScape references and the dev humor.”
- stability22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs and glitches, particularly in the later stages and with DLC content, making it nearly unplayable for some. While it runs well on Linux and offers crossplay options, the mobile and browser versions are described as inconsistent and prone to issues. Overall, many players advise caution due to the game's unstable performance.
“Runs great on Linux, with crossplay to web and smartphone.”
“Runs great on Linux, with crossplay to web and smartphone.”
“Today, it is an unoptimized and buggy mess from the DLC extensions that it is barely playable once you get far enough.”
“Super buggy, don't bother.”
“The game is fun and fills the RuneScape gap; however, it is pretty buggy and after a month of playing, both my characters just deleted.”
- replayability16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, featuring multiple game modes, a variety of combat and non-combat skills, and ongoing content updates that keep players engaged. Even after maxing out characters and completing all content, alternative modes provide additional replay value, making it a worthwhile investment for both casual and dedicated players.
“Amazing game replay value and worth every cent.”
“With three different game modes, 8 different combat skills, as well as 16 non-combat skills, there is a lot of replayability in this title.”
“The progression is long and good, but even if you completely max your character and complete all the dungeons and progression, there are alternative game modes as well which add some replayability.”
“Excellent idler with lots of content and updates, heavy replayability.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Melvor Idle is praised for its serene and calming atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for relaxation among idle game enthusiasts. While the art design is well-received, some players express a desire for optional sound effects to enhance the overall experience. The game's interconnected systems further contribute to its appealing atmosphere, avoiding the pitfalls of number bloat common in the genre.
“Melvor Idle offers a serene and calming atmosphere, making it a perfect game for relaxation.”
“Its zen atmosphere and skill-based progression make it a satisfying choice for fans of idle games.”
“The atmosphere and art design are lovely in this title, and I agree with other reviewers that the interconnected systems design is quite good for avoiding exponential number bloat that other idle games find themselves relying upon.”
“No sounds or music to help enhance the atmosphere of the game.”
“It should be telling my favorite feature is the non-free-to-play atmosphere.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its simplistic design and wholesome representation, which resonate positively with players. However, the potential for pay-to-win mechanics and the disruptive impact of hackers can undermine this wholesome experience, leading to frustration among users.
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in idle games often suffers due to poor character designs, which can disrupt player immersion. While some games excel in other areas, unattractive character aesthetics can detract from the overall experience.
“There are a lot of great idle games where immersion (if it’s such a thing with this genre) gets broken because of ugly mob/character designs.”
