Cookie Clicker Review

I didn't think I would one day sit down and review Cookie Clicker, an inane game. Since 2014, it's been a lonely Chrome tab that accumulated cookies while I surf the web. It's a silly little game that I love. Who wouldn't want to learn more? With the Steam release and the ability to save my saves, I was forced to write a few words.

A little history first, the game was released back in 2013 by Orteil and DashNet at https://orteil.dashnet.org/cookieclicker/. The game is constantly being updated and new features are added every year. The game was mentioned on a gaming site, and I recall that I heard about it. Cookie Clicker was the first thing I looked up and I decided to give it another go. It was free and offered an idle game. As I said, I've been playing since 2014 and have had 2 separate saves throughout the years. After being unable to transfer a save to an older computer in 2015, I had no choice but to start again. My current save is now over 1,995 days old with 25 ascensions. Playsaurus published this Steam release. It includes music from C418, and the Steam version is a carbon-copy of the one you see online.

The gameplay is very simple, as with many idle games. Click on the upgrades to add production facilities as you have the funds. Cookie Clicker will show you how many cookies have been made. To earn more cookies, click on the huge cookie to your left. As you bake more cookies, you will be able afford more cursors, grandmas who will bake more cookies per minute, farms that will produce more cookies per hour, and so forth.

It's an endless process with no end in sight. Although I have set myself a goal to attain all achievements, these goalposts are constantly shifting with new updates and more achievements. You can also use your cookies for upgrades. These upgrades can be anything from increasing the number of cookies you receive from buildings to increasing your overall cookie multipliers. You can opt to actively participate in your cookie production by looking out for golden cookies. You will receive bonuses for short periods of time if you click on them. You can also activate seasonal events, which offer you unique cookies and some even additional perks. Sugar Lumps can be earned over time. These sugars can be used to increase your cookie production or for other bonuses.

While clicking is one thing, side activities can make the game more interesting. For example, you could pursue Cookies Per Second to increase your CPS. To grow seeds and help your modifiers, you can upgrade your farm. This section can be time-consuming as you cannot unlock all seeds unless the seeds are bred together. To increase your cookie earnings, you can also get in on the cookie stock market by buying/selling stocks in cookie endeavors. If you are looking for something that will grab your attention and keep you engaged, this is not the place. Cookie Clicker seems more laid back than other idlers.

Once you feel like you are producing the maximum amount of CPS, you can ascend to a new beginning. You may be familiar with prestiging. Ascending starts your run over, but activates your achievement unlock bonuses and any upgrades that carry forward. You will be able use the third currency that you have been earning, Heavenly Chips, as you Ascend. These Heavenly Chips, which you slowly accumulate over your run, can be used to buy upgrades that are carried over between ascensions.

You might be wondering what the graphics look like. This isn't a graphically intense first person shooter. It's more spreadsheet-oriented. It's still pleasing to the eye. Although the screens that I have attached might seem busy, this screen is actually much deeper into the game. Your screen will be easy to read when you first start. As you progress, the UI will become more intuitive and easier to understand. The artwork is beautiful and easy to see. The giant cookie on the left looks good enough to eat. There are also a few small animations scattered throughout the game that are both fun and not too distracting. The Steam version features background music by C418. It's a relaxing mix of tunes that works well with a game like Cookie Clicker.

Because many people approach these games differently, it's difficult to assign a score to them. While I prefer to let the game run the show and build my empire slowly, others might be more involved. This is not the game for you if you want to keep your fingers busy while earning. Cookie Clicker is my favorite idle game. After importing my web saved into Steam, I spent 5 minutes just watching the achievements appear. Who doesn't love that feeling of endorphin rush? Cookie Clicker is peaceful, fun, and respectful of your personal time. This idler doesn't need to be watched and you can watch the numbers grow at your own pace. Cookie Clicker can be played in two ways. You can manage each aspect and make sure they get done right, or you can let it chill while you watch YouTube. It feels a bit meta that I have made cookies at home and had the game make cookies for me.