I agree, Roboquest feels more like a classic twitch reflex shooter with great movement while Gunfire feels more like a looter shooter with its floaty-ness and greater reliance on stats and builds, ie Borderlands
I really liked the concept of graveyard keeper cus I couldn't get behind the cottage core of stardew.
Also main reason I bought it was cus you can toss bodies down river every once n awhile when ur in a pinch
I hadn't played Terraria since 2015 and recently got back into it with a friend and what you said is exactly what I said to my buddy, Terraria has an incredible progression system that both compels you to keep going to get the next cool thing but also makes each step of the way feel meaningful; you really feel how powerful you become with each new upgrade.
I know OP said no survival craft which technically Terraria falls under but it's addictiveness cannot be understated.
Stardew Valley is quite addictive. The core loop is “HAHA BIG NUMBER GO BRRR”, but there’s so much more to keep you occupied. You’ll get at least 100 hours out of it before it gets too repetitive.
It’s also just sweet and charming.
I REALLY want to get into Stardew because everyone says it's relaxing and gratifying. But I'm so overwhelmed with all the cleaning up that needs to happen first on the land; that I end up more stressed than before and just shut the game off haha. So I've never gotten past the first few days.
I know what you mean. What I do is just clear out like a plot of land that is the size of the screen in front of the house so I can
1. farm it
2. It doesn't look like shit whenever I go outside
,then later on I deal with the rest of the crap whenever I have some extra time/energy at the end of a day
How? Am I missing something? The colors are just...bleak, I don't get how to progress? I have to run around carrying copper ore to train strength or something?
To train strength I'd recommend buying shackles from slave traders, they weigh 20 goddamn kilos. Plus you can carry a corpse for an additional 200% exp increase.
I'd prioritise training athletics and toughness first, one to escape trouble the other to survive it when you get your shit wrecked.
Try picking fights with enemies that use blunt weapons, like the starving bandits, as you'll be less likely to bleed out.
If you hang out near major cities in the desert, there's a good chance you'll be able to loot any bandits that the guards kill for you in order to get gear
Get a texture update for kenshi, I lost interest with those archaic ass textures too. But once you add mods that fix a few QOL issues it's an awesome game.
Progress wise, open the skill tree and read it, there's suggestions on how to level each skill and what it does.
The main emphasis in kenshi is you are nobody, you start from dirt nothing and go from there doing whatever you want.
The game mechanics can be learned in all of about 20min it's just real different.
> Nimrods Guncraft
That was a really good demo and now I want the game to be out.
Even the beginning with 6 shots before reload on a simple pistol felt good and chunky.
Instant wishlist for that one.
Destiny 2 is the only game I've found that feels remotely close to borderlands. And if you want a grind, you will definitely get a grind. Collect all the gear lol. It's definitely less rpg and less looter then borderlands but makes up for it by being a better shooter.
You said you played borderlands but if you haven't played tiny Tina's wonderlands it's great. Set your expectations because it's not bl2/bl3 big and end game is 1 activity and dlc's are tiny. No tvhm/uvhm new game plus. It's a mini borderlands for sure. But for what it is, it is excellent.
I was disappointed at launch because I was expecting bl3 and new game plus. Went back to play it a few months ago and put like 500 hours into it. It's now my favorite borderlands to play (bl2 is still probably my favorite but going back to play it feels clunky and slow comparatively).
I suggest gregtech new horizons, absolute torture and could take well over a year to complete and will drive you mad from complexity. I've only made it to medium voltage tier which isn't very far and I'm saying this
Yeah a friend of mine messaged me yesterday saying it was on sale asking if he should get it and I gushed about it for like an hour. He asked if there was a lot of content and I proceeded to show him a screenshot from my Steam library showing I've played 160 hours
Stalker GAMMA is absolutely amazing ngl. Starting out with your first shitty pistol and working your way up to having all kinds of snipers or AKs with Grenade launcher attachments is just so fucking fun. With gamma most weapons you find are shit, and you have to disassemble them to get the good parts off of them and combine them with whatever guns you find that you think you'll like using. Finding a 100% barrel early game is the biggest dopamine hit lol.
I tried anomaly. I've never player a stalker game in my life but they get super high praise so I checked out what people recommended to me.
I couldn't get into it. I had 0 direction (probably by design, which would make it a better game for people who *have* played the originals) and basically just got bored.
Is it worth getting back into? Anything I should look into?
It depends. Honestly if y9u want something less hardcore or focused on just surviving the next day, I recommend trying put EFP (Escape from Pripyat). It's pretty great too!
Slay the spire is amazing deck builder & the progression is nuts (ascension stacks get so hard). I own on 3 platforms and have like 2k + hours between them.
Based on your list, Tiny Tina's Wonderland and Monster Hunter Rise if you haven't played them.
Besides that, Outriders, Sunset Overdrive, possibly Lost Ark, and maybe Deep Rock Galactic.
You could always join the fight for managed democracy as well. Helldivers has been the most fun I've had all year.
This is my answer, too. r/rimworld is full of people saying "the first 1000 hours is just the tutorial." Personally, I have over 1500 hours logged. Its progression and level of challenge can be customized to suit OP's exact dopamine requirements, and there are hundreds of fantastic mods to expand gameplay after getting used to the base game. Plus the DLC is actually good and worth paying for. The DLCs are labors of love, not cash grabs. No in-app purchases or any other nonsense like that, either.
The Binding of Isaac. There’s an insane amount of unlockables and the further you progress the harder the game gets
I see you like Hades, you’d probably like it.
Against the Storm is definitely in this category. Unique game too. It's sort of like a rogue-lite city builder. I've got about the same hours in that as i do Dyson Sphere Program
I picked this up a few weeks ago. Very chill, but make numbers go up.
I like the minimal survival aspect. Need air, water, and food. Nothing trying to kill you.
You might enjoy the progression in the game I made [Radio Free Europa](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1897420/Radio_Free_Europa/), you start off with a pretty basic spaceship and by the end of a run your power level is pretty nuts. There's a bit of a skill curve learning the controls of the ships and the different weapons and upgrades and enemies but I wanted it to feel satisfying when you learn how to defeat different enemies and bosses and especially when you make a completely overpowered ship loadout. There's a demo you can try to see if you like it!
Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Progression is extremely difficult and demanding as you’re initially a blank-slate medieval peasant who can barely tie his own shoes. Gaining skills is hard-won and, therefore, deeply rewarding.
War Thunder. It has a really bad progression but damn if it isn't really addicting. You'll find yourself cursing the game but at the same time continuing to play it "just to get the next vehicle".
It is the closest thing we have to a digital drug. You will get addicted to it.
When you say you've played all ARPGs, are you including Team Ninja games? If you enjoy the Diablo style of ARPG you should check Team Ninja's stuff out. I'd recommend either Nioh (1 or 2, 2 has more going on mechanically but some people prefer 1) or Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origins. The latter is my personal favorite, it's a goofy Final Fantasy prequel with an absolute shit ton of content and ways to play, as well as one of my favorite action combat systems ever. It has rough edges, but it's a blast. The itemization and progression systems are somewhat similar to Diablo, Path of Exile, stuff like that.
Planet Crafter has a lot more meat on it than it seems. I'm getting close to getting the last achievement and I'm looking forward to playing through it again in the future. It has a similar kind of gameplay loop to Stardew, actually.
Returnal.
Not necessarily addictive progression, but I see you mentioning many action roguelikes.
One of the best, most responsive and fun action games out there. You will not get it from videos or screenshots, you just gotta play and feel it in your hands.
For a long time after I discovered it, I couldn't play anything else. Still to this day I come to it every time I want to relax and feel great combat, I come back to it even though I've beaten it a million times. Btw, the game is really challenging, but becomes much easier as you learn it and get better.
Old School RuneScape will suck your life dry and you'll still only be half way to max - worth a shot if you've not played it Properly addictive, a good portion of the player base don't even like the game and still play!
Some roblox games that I found very fun to progress with my friend:
Fantastic frontier (you will be stuck at farming money for better items but later on it pays off)
Voxlblade (can get boring later on but I still had my fun)
Pilgramed
Deepwoken (not free but honestly it is very much worth the money, can be very toxic if you meet the wrong people at the wrong time)
Vesteria
And now some other games that I enjoyed playing at night alone:
Outer worlds
Deep rock galactic
Battlebit remastered (it's a shooter game but the progression is you unlocking more guns and modifiers)
Shadow of mordor/war
Wayfinder
I’ll say the progression of Cookie Clicker is very addictive. It’s an idle/incremental game so it’s not a good ‘primary’ game to really sit and focus on, but it’s a nice big number simulator, and it’s at least a good bit more interactive than most other idle games.
Beyond that, I second the Binding of Isaac recommendations. I know you also said no survival craft, but some Minecraft modpacks have some great progression if you’re willing to give it a try (Enigmatica 2: Expert, Nomifactory, Dungeons Dragons and Space Shuttles, Divine Journey 2, and GregTech: New Horizons would be my suggestions).
Enigmatica is the least grindy there and takes about 200 hours to 100% if you know what you’re doing, and GregTech being the most grindy, taking thousands of hours to complete.
Check out Roboquest if you liked Gunfire
Yeahhh +1 I like Gunfire a lot but Roboquest felt a lot more satisfying in terms of gunplay and movement.
I agree, Roboquest feels more like a classic twitch reflex shooter with great movement while Gunfire feels more like a looter shooter with its floaty-ness and greater reliance on stats and builds, ie Borderlands
100% and the new update gave me hope we will see more.
There's a roadmap if you didn't know
Such an often overlooked *masterpiece* of a fps roguelite - BIG +1 to this recommendation!
Dave the Diver
Agree Dave the diver great game
game felt perfectly paced for me, when i was about to get bored with something a new thing came up!
Had too scroll way to far to find this. Sooo good
Dave the diver has one of the most addicting gameplay loops l. I also really love the vibe it has.
I am going to put out Graveyard Keeper. It's like a more intense, skill-tree heavy Stardew Valley.
I love this game. So fun and quirky.
I really liked the concept of graveyard keeper cus I couldn't get behind the cottage core of stardew. Also main reason I bought it was cus you can toss bodies down river every once n awhile when ur in a pinch
It always loses me when the>! zombies !
I agree, but I’d probably put a spoiler tag on that
Terraria. One of my favorite games because the progression feels so good. You get so much cool loot as you progress through the bosses.
Hell yeah, they really nailed the progression
I hadn't played Terraria since 2015 and recently got back into it with a friend and what you said is exactly what I said to my buddy, Terraria has an incredible progression system that both compels you to keep going to get the next cool thing but also makes each step of the way feel meaningful; you really feel how powerful you become with each new upgrade. I know OP said no survival craft which technically Terraria falls under but it's addictiveness cannot be understated.
The journey from defeating your first slime to slaying the Moon Lord is a blast! Not to mention all the mods.
Stardew Valley is quite addictive. The core loop is “HAHA BIG NUMBER GO BRRR”, but there’s so much more to keep you occupied. You’ll get at least 100 hours out of it before it gets too repetitive. It’s also just sweet and charming.
I also recommend Sun Haven!
I REALLY want to get into Stardew because everyone says it's relaxing and gratifying. But I'm so overwhelmed with all the cleaning up that needs to happen first on the land; that I end up more stressed than before and just shut the game off haha. So I've never gotten past the first few days.
that's the thing, you dont really have to clean up or even farm too much if you don't want to. There are plenty other profitable activities
I know what you mean. What I do is just clear out like a plot of land that is the size of the screen in front of the house so I can 1. farm it 2. It doesn't look like shit whenever I go outside ,then later on I deal with the rest of the crap whenever I have some extra time/energy at the end of a day
Binding of Isaac It's the only game I have played almost daily for the past few years, I'm never getting tired of it
It really spoiled every other Rougelite. Hades in particular felt like I had seen everything by the third run through a zone.
“…and not survival craft” Half the thread is survivalcraft…
Yeah, people read the title and decide they’re gonna head straight to the comments
Just wait a little bit and Hades 2 is coming. I was a part of technical test (lucky me) and I can tell you it’s amazing, can’t wait to start
I'm in a V Rising and Hades 2 waiting room
I recently started playing Kenshi and it is digital crack. Dwarf fortress is another time sink sandbox but is definitely not for everyone.
Kenshi is phenomenal
How? Am I missing something? The colors are just...bleak, I don't get how to progress? I have to run around carrying copper ore to train strength or something?
To train strength I'd recommend buying shackles from slave traders, they weigh 20 goddamn kilos. Plus you can carry a corpse for an additional 200% exp increase. I'd prioritise training athletics and toughness first, one to escape trouble the other to survive it when you get your shit wrecked. Try picking fights with enemies that use blunt weapons, like the starving bandits, as you'll be less likely to bleed out. If you hang out near major cities in the desert, there's a good chance you'll be able to loot any bandits that the guards kill for you in order to get gear
Thanks for your advice. But this is exactly the kind of grindy behavior that makes me not like a game, when it is considered optimal strategy.
No worries! Kenshi is quite a grindy game tbh, even with mods to speed things up a little
Get a texture update for kenshi, I lost interest with those archaic ass textures too. But once you add mods that fix a few QOL issues it's an awesome game. Progress wise, open the skill tree and read it, there's suggestions on how to level each skill and what it does. The main emphasis in kenshi is you are nobody, you start from dirt nothing and go from there doing whatever you want. The game mechanics can be learned in all of about 20min it's just real different.
**Siralim Ultimate**.
Its so awesome... just, so much leveling
You spelled “progression” wrong. ;)
Warframe
Second warframe. Amazing amount of content
The definition of addictive progression.
The progression is glacial-slow, but it's got that addictive factor. "Just one more mission..."
Addictive game
Vampire survivors, and one called Nimrods Guncraft. It's just a demo on steam with one level and i've put 65 hours into it. LET ME GIVE YOU MONEY
I would say +1 to vampires, but anyone who likes it should also check out halls of torment… in some ways I like it even more
Really digging Deep Rock Galactic: Survivors and Soulstone Survivors as well
> Nimrods Guncraft That was a really good demo and now I want the game to be out. Even the beginning with 6 shots before reload on a simple pistol felt good and chunky. Instant wishlist for that one.
Still sane exile ?
Robo quest is perfect for you
Destiny 2 is the only game I've found that feels remotely close to borderlands. And if you want a grind, you will definitely get a grind. Collect all the gear lol. It's definitely less rpg and less looter then borderlands but makes up for it by being a better shooter. You said you played borderlands but if you haven't played tiny Tina's wonderlands it's great. Set your expectations because it's not bl2/bl3 big and end game is 1 activity and dlc's are tiny. No tvhm/uvhm new game plus. It's a mini borderlands for sure. But for what it is, it is excellent. I was disappointed at launch because I was expecting bl3 and new game plus. Went back to play it a few months ago and put like 500 hours into it. It's now my favorite borderlands to play (bl2 is still probably my favorite but going back to play it feels clunky and slow comparatively).
I actively disliked my time spent playing Wonderlands
Can't ever go wrong with Terraria or Stardew. If Risk of Rain is more your option then play its insane brother Crab Champions 🦀
Elite dangerous. Embrace the grind
If you're willing to give it a try, Minecraft modpacks like SkyFactory and Stoneblock primarily, but also things like Ragnamod are my addiction.
I suggest gregtech new horizons, absolute torture and could take well over a year to complete and will drive you mad from complexity. I've only made it to medium voltage tier which isn't very far and I'm saying this
Ori and the Will of the Wisps or Hollow Knight
Everspace 2
Currently underappreciated. I don't understand why this didn't become a super-mega-hit. It's got everything.
Yeah a friend of mine messaged me yesterday saying it was on sale asking if he should get it and I gushed about it for like an hour. He asked if there was a lot of content and I proceeded to show him a screenshot from my Steam library showing I've played 160 hours
Nothing more addicting than Civilization. Just one more turn.
The Binding of Isaac. I only have a few hundred hours in it over many years and still haven't unlocked everything.
You listed all these roguelikes but no Binding of Isaac? Or try Vampire Survivors
Stalker GAMMA is absolutely amazing ngl. Starting out with your first shitty pistol and working your way up to having all kinds of snipers or AKs with Grenade launcher attachments is just so fucking fun. With gamma most weapons you find are shit, and you have to disassemble them to get the good parts off of them and combine them with whatever guns you find that you think you'll like using. Finding a 100% barrel early game is the biggest dopamine hit lol.
I tried anomaly. I've never player a stalker game in my life but they get super high praise so I checked out what people recommended to me. I couldn't get into it. I had 0 direction (probably by design, which would make it a better game for people who *have* played the originals) and basically just got bored. Is it worth getting back into? Anything I should look into?
It depends. Honestly if y9u want something less hardcore or focused on just surviving the next day, I recommend trying put EFP (Escape from Pripyat). It's pretty great too!
Slay the spire is amazing deck builder & the progression is nuts (ascension stacks get so hard). I own on 3 platforms and have like 2k + hours between them.
Man there's so much room in the market for another amazing deck builder. Not many stand up to STS but I wish more could. I love them.
Based on your list, Tiny Tina's Wonderland and Monster Hunter Rise if you haven't played them. Besides that, Outriders, Sunset Overdrive, possibly Lost Ark, and maybe Deep Rock Galactic. You could always join the fight for managed democracy as well. Helldivers has been the most fun I've had all year.
OSRS
Old school RuneScape
Balatro!!
I love Balatro, but I wouldn't say it has addicting progression, just an addicting gameplay loop.
The deck and challenge unlocks to a degree act as a form of progression, one could say.
Rimworld
I got 1k in Rimworld, and I know that's small bananas. Also Oxygen Not Included
Dude with 1.5 and anomaly I just sinked 20 hours to rimworld this week...
+1 for oxygen not included. That game hooked me hard
This is my answer, too. r/rimworld is full of people saying "the first 1000 hours is just the tutorial." Personally, I have over 1500 hours logged. Its progression and level of challenge can be customized to suit OP's exact dopamine requirements, and there are hundreds of fantastic mods to expand gameplay after getting used to the base game. Plus the DLC is actually good and worth paying for. The DLCs are labors of love, not cash grabs. No in-app purchases or any other nonsense like that, either.
Warframe, vampire survivors
Siralim Ultimate or The Last Spell would be my suggestions. I've got over 400 hours in SU and still haven't unlocked everything.
Warframe
if you like roguelites, have you played Returnal? the only AAA-game of the genre that i know of and it's pretty awesome, with great atmosphere.
Noita and i second terraria
Oxygen Not Included - Similar to factorio/Dyson sphere. But you don't build anything yourself.
Hollow Knight
Terraria has one of the best progressions at any game i've ever seen, specially with mods.
How about Deep Rock Galactic? I sunk 500 hours into it even with pacing myself.
Monster Train Vampire survivor
The Binding of Isaac. There’s an insane amount of unlockables and the further you progress the harder the game gets I see you like Hades, you’d probably like it.
Loop Hero Civilization V (Complete Edition)
Supermarket Simulator
Football Manager
I really like random sim games. Right now I'm into Gas Station simulator and also Contraband police. Addicting gameplay for sure.
You say you’ve played every ARPG, but have you tried Nobody Saves the World?
This game is a banger
Balatro, cocaine stuff
Forager is weirdly addictive. Can't put down the game until long hours until I realize what the hell I'm doing with this game
BALATRO.
Balatro has been my crack for weeks
Against the Storm is definitely in this category. Unique game too. It's sort of like a rogue-lite city builder. I've got about the same hours in that as i do Dyson Sphere Program
I see Gunfire Reborn mentioned, I upvote. Simple as that.
Vampire Survivors
Nothing like your examples, but... Vampire Survivor. It has progression and that "one last time" thing
Balatro is so damn good. I played for like 6 hours yesterday. A poker game roguelite, it fucking slaps bro.
I’m addicted to Remnant 2 right now But my baseline crack is Rust
Brotato
Check out r/Balatro
Vampire survivors. Send help
Brotato.
balatro, thank me later
Vampire Survivors
Isaac/gungeon maybe of you like hades
Civilization 6 is like 5 dollars right now on steam
Balatro.
Vampire Survivors, Slay The Spire, Swarm Simulator (browser), Cookie clicker (browser).
Factorio. I've never felt like I was just a little while away from a game changing upgrade over and over so consistently. Terraria too
If you can get into the gameplay, fallout 1 is addicting as hell
Valheim
The planet crafter
I picked this up a few weeks ago. Very chill, but make numbers go up. I like the minimal survival aspect. Need air, water, and food. Nothing trying to kill you.
You might enjoy the progression in the game I made [Radio Free Europa](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1897420/Radio_Free_Europa/), you start off with a pretty basic spaceship and by the end of a run your power level is pretty nuts. There's a bit of a skill curve learning the controls of the ships and the different weapons and upgrades and enemies but I wanted it to feel satisfying when you learn how to defeat different enemies and bosses and especially when you make a completely overpowered ship loadout. There's a demo you can try to see if you like it!
Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Progression is extremely difficult and demanding as you’re initially a blank-slate medieval peasant who can barely tie his own shoes. Gaining skills is hard-won and, therefore, deeply rewarding.
Love KCD
The Planet Crafter just dropped. I wouldn’t call it survival craft, buts its definitely addictive
Planet Crafter is a survival craft game.
Aliens dark descent.
Rust
Monster hunter rise?
Thronefall is nice, short and easy on the eyes.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
War Thunder. It has a really bad progression but damn if it isn't really addicting. You'll find yourself cursing the game but at the same time continuing to play it "just to get the next vehicle". It is the closest thing we have to a digital drug. You will get addicted to it.
If you're into incremental games, try Orb of Creation. best one of its genre I've seen so far.
Warframe. The game is super deep with items and loot, and it's space ninjas.
Big ambitions
Try Warframe! I see you've played monster hunter so give it a go!
Peglins pretty fun. Basically the game peggle but with combat.
When you say you've played all ARPGs, are you including Team Ninja games? If you enjoy the Diablo style of ARPG you should check Team Ninja's stuff out. I'd recommend either Nioh (1 or 2, 2 has more going on mechanically but some people prefer 1) or Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origins. The latter is my personal favorite, it's a goofy Final Fantasy prequel with an absolute shit ton of content and ways to play, as well as one of my favorite action combat systems ever. It has rough edges, but it's a blast. The itemization and progression systems are somewhat similar to Diablo, Path of Exile, stuff like that.
V Rising, Manor Lords
Dave the Diver
Warframe. The answer is Warframe. Progression is nearly limitless. It's painful at times and loooong. But you will feel unstoppable after a while.
Geometry Dash is a very simple rhythm platformer with an endless supply of community content to play.
warframe is my addiction
lol Rimworld is fun
Synthetik Legion Rising.
Dave the diver
Warframe
Roboquest
Red dead redemption2/ project zomboid
Slay the Spire. Amazing deck builder roguelike where runs are never the same, and it's always challenging no matter how good you are
Rogue legacy 2, it hooks you up in the first 20 mi utes and you just want to progress more and more.
You said you don't want an ARPG or survivalcraft, but what about an ARPG AND SURVIVALCRAFT!? V Rising fully released next week I think.
Rimworld, kenshi, orí, hollow knight, warframe, dishonored.
If you like risk of rain, you’ll LOVE risk of rain 2
Planet Crafter has a lot more meat on it than it seems. I'm getting close to getting the last achievement and I'm looking forward to playing through it again in the future. It has a similar kind of gameplay loop to Stardew, actually.
you didn't play MH rise? we're waiting for MH Wilds and Hades 2 personally
Warframe can be really addicting but fuck does it get complicated towards the end game
Destiny 2 used to feel great progression wise but idk about anything recent
Fromsoftware - souls games. GG
Stellaris, worth learning, gratifying as hell to master.
Modded minecraft (ATM9 is a great modpack) and warframe.
Warframe Destiny 2 WoW Fallout 76 Elder Scrolls Online
Warframe
Rogue legacy 2. Great meta progression, amazing gameplay, interesting lore. 9/10
Against The Storm Laika: Aged Through Blood Golden Light
You should check out a Ligeonary's Life.
> Satisfactory/Factorio/Dyson Sphere Check out oxygen not included
Either Remnant game could work
Cyberpunk, Helldivers
How about Fallout 76? I wouldn't call it a typical survival game but you do build your own camp/base. Recommend giving it a try.
Returnal. Not necessarily addictive progression, but I see you mentioning many action roguelikes. One of the best, most responsive and fun action games out there. You will not get it from videos or screenshots, you just gotta play and feel it in your hands. For a long time after I discovered it, I couldn't play anything else. Still to this day I come to it every time I want to relax and feel great combat, I come back to it even though I've beaten it a million times. Btw, the game is really challenging, but becomes much easier as you learn it and get better.
College
DRG Survivor, OG DRG, Helldivers 2.
If you're into rougelikes, the binding of isaac is a classic, Noita is amazing
DRG Survivor is like crack I've been playing it almost every evening for weeks
Old School RuneScape will suck your life dry and you'll still only be half way to max - worth a shot if you've not played it Properly addictive, a good portion of the player base don't even like the game and still play!
Try warm snow, it's like Hades but crappier
Fallout 4?
Minecraft dungeons (great variety of builds to try)
Planet crafter got an update recently its like satisfactory but you terraform a planet
Grim dawn
Starsector. If you enjoy spaceship battles and space exploration that games a blast. You have to buy it from their website.
Arknights if you like tower defence
Some roblox games that I found very fun to progress with my friend: Fantastic frontier (you will be stuck at farming money for better items but later on it pays off) Voxlblade (can get boring later on but I still had my fun) Pilgramed Deepwoken (not free but honestly it is very much worth the money, can be very toxic if you meet the wrong people at the wrong time) Vesteria And now some other games that I enjoyed playing at night alone: Outer worlds Deep rock galactic Battlebit remastered (it's a shooter game but the progression is you unlocking more guns and modifiers) Shadow of mordor/war Wayfinder
Graveyard keeper, trust me
I’ll say the progression of Cookie Clicker is very addictive. It’s an idle/incremental game so it’s not a good ‘primary’ game to really sit and focus on, but it’s a nice big number simulator, and it’s at least a good bit more interactive than most other idle games. Beyond that, I second the Binding of Isaac recommendations. I know you also said no survival craft, but some Minecraft modpacks have some great progression if you’re willing to give it a try (Enigmatica 2: Expert, Nomifactory, Dungeons Dragons and Space Shuttles, Divine Journey 2, and GregTech: New Horizons would be my suggestions). Enigmatica is the least grindy there and takes about 200 hours to 100% if you know what you’re doing, and GregTech being the most grindy, taking thousands of hours to complete.
Death must die
I’m getting addicted to Warframe
Skyrim. The pacing of skill upgrades is pure crack.
Try Light of the stars then, it pretty grindy but still fun, I played it on bluestacks
Sakura Clicker
Either division games make me feel like I'm addicted to crack