Recursive (2026)

Developer: Xero
Platforms: Windows, Linux
Genres: Casual, Indie, Simulation, Strategy
Rating: 4.2 of 5, 42 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 14 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A satisfying loop of incremental progression where every upgrade feeds into another system, creating a feeling of unstoppable growth through strategic resource management.

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What players say

Players say Recursive is a short idle game, around 20 hours, with an active developer who fixes issues quickly. The three minigames are a point of disagreement: some find them fun, while others call the Iron Fortress dull and the mining minigame frustrating. The power creep is short, and the crafting system and upgrade tree divide opinion, with some players recommending an autoclicker.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.