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NGU IDLE

NGU IDLE Game Cover
96%Game Brain Score
humor, gameplay
grinding, monetization
96% User Score Based on 10,381 reviews

Platforms

PCTabletSteam DeckWindows
NGU IDLE Game Cover

About

NGU IDLE is a single player simulation game with a comedy theme. It was developed by 4G and was released on October 1, 2019. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

NGU Idle is a Free To Play Idle game that's full of weird humor, tons of upgrades and hundreds of hours of content! Try out NGU Idle today and experience the joy of Numbers Going Up!

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96%
Audience ScoreBased on 10,381 reviews
humor642 positive mentions
grinding122 negative mentions

  • The humor is engaging and entertaining, featuring a mix of absurd and self-aware jokes that enhance the game's charm.
  • The gameplay mechanics are deep and rewarding, providing a satisfying progression system that keeps players invested.
  • The game offers high replayability with diverse features, quests, and customization options, appealing to fans of the idle genre.
  • The humor can become repetitive or forced over time, with some players finding it unfunny.
  • The gameplay loop can feel overwhelming and repetitive, leading to a sense of grind that may frustrate some players.
  • The graphics are simplistic and crude, which may detract from the experience for those seeking more polished visuals.
  • humor
    647 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "ngu idle" is a standout feature, characterized by a mix of absurd, juvenile, and self-aware jokes that often reference pop culture and internet memes. While many players find the humor engaging and entertaining, some feel it can become repetitive or forced over time. Overall, the game's quirky writing and comedic elements contribute significantly to its charm, making it a fun and addictive experience for fans of idle games.

    • “The humor is ridiculous, the dev is delightfully snarky, and the progress bars never stop giving that sweet, sweet sense of achievement.”
    • “The art is fun, stylized, and thematically coherent and there is a very healthy dose of humor that really shows how much care was put into making this game.”
    • “The game is hilarious and surprisingly engaging.”
    • “Pathetic, this 'game' is just another lousy calculator designed for babies that like clicking things that turn green, and don't even get me started on the mind-numbing, unfunny jokes under the poorly drawn images.”
    • “Okay, sure, it's got really interesting mechanics that are simultaneously broad and deep, an excellent specimen of an incremental game, yadda yadda but, and no one else is saying it, the game is aggressively unfunny.”
    • “Really unfunny but the core gameplay is amazing.”
  • gameplay
    513 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Ngu Idle is characterized by its intricate mechanics and engaging progression systems, offering a mix of active and idle play that keeps players invested over long periods. While the game features a humorous narrative and a plethora of mechanics that unlock gradually, some players find the gameplay loop can become repetitive and overwhelming due to the complexity of resource management. Overall, it stands out as a unique entry in the idle genre, appealing to those who enjoy deep mechanics and the satisfaction of watching numbers grow.

    • “Quite possibly the best idle game ever. I haven't even gotten close to finishing it, but the content and amount of in-depth mechanics really flesh out the game.”
    • “The gameplay is amazing! You unlock completely new mechanics, bars to fill, and multipliers to your stats as you go!”
    • “The mechanics have a great amount of depth that is slowly fed to the player through natural progression and is given good explanations for new players, not to mention the wacky but charming sense of humor that is spread across all facets of the game.”
    • “But for me, it quickly devolved into a numbers treadmill with diminishing returns — both mechanically and mentally.”
    • “You're constantly chasing slightly bigger stats, but the actual gameplay loop gets incredibly repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay loop isn't anything that you haven't seen before, with layering multipliers onto multipliers ad infinitum.”
  • story
    306 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a chaotic blend of humor, absurdity, and pop culture references, often described as a "lengthy shitpost" that evolves as players progress through various boss battles. While many players appreciate the quirky and entertaining narrative, some find it disjointed and lacking depth, especially in later stages. Overall, the story serves as a lighthearted backdrop to the gameplay, providing amusing context and engaging flavor text that enhances the idle experience.

    • “This game has it all: 300+ hand-drawn bosses (yes, a flock of Canada geese counts), 350+ wacky items, upgrades for your upgrades, and a story so absurd it somehow works.”
    • “The constant stream of goofy story, art, and mechanics shows more than anything that the developer had a blast making this, and the feeling is contagious.”
    • “The story is witty and funny, and I love the way 4g talked to the community and interacts with the fan base.”
    • “The story is often nonsensical, but still humorous and able to be followed.”
    • “The 'story' gets clearly weaker over time (even though it was barely funny in the first place) up until the end when the developer realized he needed a finale.”
    • “The story sounds like a very bad Rick and Morty/MCU fanfic, with as many plot holes as you'd expect.”
  • graphics
    200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are a polarizing aspect, with many users describing them as simplistic, reminiscent of MS Paint, and intentionally crude, which some find charming and fitting for the game's humor. While the visuals may lack polish and sophistication, they are often seen as a secondary concern to the engaging gameplay and addictive mechanics, appealing to those who prioritize fun over aesthetics. Overall, the graphics are considered minimalistic and quirky, contributing to the game's unique identity rather than detracting from the experience.

    • “The graphics are stunning.”
    • “The visuals can take some time to get used to, but the variety of illustrations and a consistent style makes it aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.”
    • “The crude art style is easily one of the highlights of the game, and it goes double to make the game feel like it's a passion project that never lost sight of its initial vision.”
    • “However, it falls short in graphics, making games like Cookie Clicker more visually appealing.”
    • “The game features really lackluster MS Paint-looking 2D visuals (does the developer not know 3D graphics became mainstream in the mid-1990s?).”
    • “The graphics are essentially handmade in something like MS Paint and there is no attempt to hide it.”
  • grinding
    131 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with many players acknowledging it as a core aspect of the idle genre. While some find the grind enjoyable and addictive, often appreciating the humor and mechanics that accompany it, others criticize it for being tedious and overwhelming, particularly in the later stages. Overall, the game is described as heavily grind-focused, appealing primarily to those who enjoy long-term progression and idle gameplay, but it may frustrate players seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “Sure, it's there, but it's not tedious, because every time you rebirth it's actually worth it.”
    • “Not grindy at all.”
    • “Definitely not grindy at all.”
    • “The grinding feels tedious, with minimal rewards that do little to excite or engage; they have to make the grind worthwhile.”
    • “It's become way too tedious, and looking around on the Discord, the tediousness just rises and rises from now on.”
    • “The game is good at what it is for the first half, but late game the balance is off and the mechanics start to slip; I suspect because it was developed as people were playing, so normal (without unreasonable grinding) progression wasn't balanced well.”
  • monetization
    61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization in the game features optional in-app purchases and microtransactions that are not required for progression, allowing players to enjoy the game fully without spending money. While some users find the monetization approach to be ethically sound and supportive of the developers, others criticize it as potentially toxic, suggesting that it can create a temptation to spend money to expedite progress. Overall, the game is praised for its lack of intrusive ads and the ability to play without feeling pressured to make purchases.

    • “In-game microtransactions are present, but they are not required to play or win.”
    • “It is free after all, and it doesn't feel restricting at all to avoid microtransactions altogether, so that's good.”
    • “The pacing of the unfolding game mechanics is impeccable, and while I would recommend supporting the game financially because it's awesome, the game is enjoyable without any of the optional in-game purchases.”
    • “This kind of monetization is toxic, especially when attached to such a low effort crapfest of a game.”
    • “On pricing and value for gamers, this isn't really free as the game is infested with mobile app store-like microtransactions.”
    • “Tl;dr: the only real compelling part of the game is slowly elongated in such a way that it all but requires a series of microtransactions to continue.”
  • music
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a mixed reception regarding the game's music, with some praising the soothing soundtrack and memorable themes, while others criticize the lack of sound effects and overall musical presence. Several users express a desire for a more robust musical score, suggesting that the game would benefit from a professional orchestral arrangement. Overall, the music aspect appears to be a significant point of contention, with some players enjoying it and others finding it nearly nonexistent.

    • “I love the soundtrack <3”
    • “Soothing soundtrack too ;).”
    • “The game does not gain any points for being nice to look at or having a great soundtrack.”
    • “Ngu idle is very bare-bones, lacking sound effects or music and also featuring artwork that looks as though it was created via the use of Microsoft Paint.”
    • “The soundtrack is non-existent.”
    • “Did I mention the music is just... silence?”
  • optimization
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is a double-edged sword; while it offers deep and engaging systems for players who enjoy min/maxing and strategic decision-making, some users report performance issues, particularly in earlier versions. Overall, the game runs smoothly on Steam, allowing for background play without significant resource drain, making it accessible for both casual and hardcore players. However, those less interested in optimization may find the focus on it overwhelming.

    • “The level of min/max optimization is astonishing if that’s your thing, and it’s incredibly addictive.”
    • “Ngu is essentially a never-ending series of major and significant goals by its design, and the complex interactions of its feature-rich systems lend themselves greatly to optimization and decision making on how best to progress to accomplish those goals.”
    • “You can take it easy if you like a relaxed idle game, or you can go hardcore; there is a lot of room for optimization.”
    • “This game was the most time I've sunk into anything in one sitting. I would go to school only planning optimizations for this game, and looking back at all the things I could have done with this time makes me sad.”
    • “Run the game minimized to avoid wasting resources due to bad optimization.”
    • “But it is a lot of optimization most of the time, so if you're not into that, maybe this game isn't the one for you.”
  • emotional
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players appreciate its heartfelt story and engaging narrative, others feel that the gameplay can lead to a frustrating cycle of addiction and existential dissatisfaction. The game's idle mechanics may provide temporary enjoyment, but they can also leave players feeling unfulfilled and trapped in a repetitive loop. Overall, it evokes a range of emotions, from enjoyment to frustration, depending on the player's experience.

    • “What a great story, and pretty heartfelt too.”
    • “If you play this game you will never be emotionally fulfilled again, it's like being stuck in a maddening loop of numbers, deadlines and odd existential satisfaction.”
    • “It always comes back after emotional crisis.”
  • replayability
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players noting its diverse features, engaging mechanics, and the satisfaction of watching numbers grow. Users highlight the enjoyment derived from its quests, challenges, and customization options, making it a standout in the idle game genre. Many anticipate even more replay value with potential future updates.

    • “I've reset my game once before just because it's such a fun idle game with so much replayability because of its diverseness.”
    • “Lots of replayability, so expect a lot of hours to be put into this game if you do not have the moolah to shortcut it, but it is enjoyable seeing numbers going up to ridiculous quantities. For any fan of dangerouslyfunny on YouTube, or any casual idler fan, this game is for you.”
    • “A game that offers the same satisfaction as Clicker Heroes by letting the numbers go up, but with more great features like a fun storyline, quests & challenges, player customization, and good replayability.”
    • “Not sure how much replayability is on offer.”
    • “I hope 4g will add more content to NGU Idle; that would make the game a lot more replayable.”
    • “Plenty of replayability.”
  • stability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, users report that the game exhibits some minor bugs, particularly with cloud saves and resolution changes, but it remains stable compared to many other titles in the industry. Despite these issues, players appreciate its consistent performance and lack of major glitches, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “Cloud save is buggy.”
    • “It's a bit buggy.”
    • “Also, heads up, changing the resolution is buggy (at least for me), so I don't recommend it; you should just play on the normal window size.”
  • atmosphere
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is reminiscent of the early internet era, blending nostalgia with a unique comedic style that appeals to some players. However, opinions on its atmospheric quality may be influenced by personal biases, suggesting that potential players should consider a broader range of reviews before forming their own judgment.

    • “The unique atmosphere and comedy this game has is able to keep me entertained.”
    • “Like Cookie Clicker but with its own atmosphere of the early internet epoch.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players praise the game's character development for its engaging storytelling and humor, highlighting that taking the time to explore the narrative leads to enjoyable and memorable encounters. The rich character arcs contribute significantly to the overall experience, making it a standout in the idle game genre.

    • “The humor in this game is also top-notch. If you take your time to read everything, there is a ton of enjoyable story and character development that makes you want to explore more of the ridiculous encounters.”
    • “This is a real idle game that deserves recognition for its rich storytelling and character development along your journey!”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way throughout the game.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices in character development left me feeling like my decisions didn't matter at all.”
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465h Median play time
1244h Average play time
47-1643h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 67 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

NGU IDLE is a simulation game with comedy theme.

NGU IDLE is available on PC, Steam Deck, Windows and Tablet.

On average players spend around 1244 hours playing NGU IDLE.

NGU IDLE was released on October 1, 2019.

NGU IDLE was developed by 4G.

NGU IDLE has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its humor but disliked it for its grinding.

NGU IDLE is a single player game.

Similar games include Idling to Rule the Gods, Antimatter Dimensions, Leaf Blower Revolution: Idle Game, Farmer Against Potatoes Idle, Idle Research and others.