Milky Way Idle

create game -> create artifical barriers and limitations -> offer convenience to remove artifical barriers and limitations -> public statement about how you dont need more money -> release feature that only benefits whales/p2w -> claim not to be predatory and open about monetization.
seen this plenty times, i tolerated it for a while in this case because i thought it was a good game but as these stories go, the devs get greedier and the first things to go are integrity and fairness in favor of more $$$

I used to really enjoy Milky Way Idle. It had a great balance of chill progression and competitive edge, especially with the leaderboards. But the recent decision to introduce a monthly subscription-based membership after the full Steam launch feels incredibly disappointing — and frankly, a bit exploitative.

Leaderboards were one of the game’s main features — the backbone of its community and its competitive drive. By locking significant advantages behind a paywall, it undermines the integrity of that system and alienates players who supported the game early without expecting it to turn into a subscription trap.

It doesn’t just affect progression — it fundamentally shifts the tone of the game from strategic idle fun to “pay more to matter.” That’s a slap in the face to the playerbase that helped build the community in the first place.

If the future for this game is to cater to whales then im out.

2/10

Edit to respond to dev:

Releasing the Moo Pass now—right as the player count reaches an all-time high—feels disingenuous. It gives the impression of a paywall being dropped at the peak of popularity, which might just be coincidental but feels gross to me.

& 5% isn’t negligible imo.

Edit to respond to dev:

Your response only reinforces why I wouldn’t recommend this game. Are you really not embarrassed to be combing through every negative review trying to argue with players? I’m entitled to my opinion, just like anyone else. I’ve never seen a developer act this combative with their own community. Reviews are meant for player feedback—not personal battlegrounds. Disagreeing is fine, but trying to invalidate every criticism because you don’t like it just makes you look unprofessional. My opinion stands, whether you like it or not.

Edit:

Since leaving my original review, I’ve seen even more concerning behavior from the dev. Instead of addressing feedback professionally, they retaliate against players who criticize them — including banning my former guild member from their discord without clear rule violations, warnings, or a proper appeal process. The dev openly admitted to monitoring guild associations to justify bans, showing they take criticism personally rather than constructively. It’s clear this isn’t just bad management — it’s a hostile environment toward anyone who challenges them.

Old players who hoarded resources for years before Steam launch now permanently dominate the economy, making new players irrelevant.
After gaining popularity upon Steam launch, the dev immediately pivoted to pay-to-win, planning on selling major bonuses that undermine the market economy is significant ways and even potentially paywalling basic features that have been developed separately from the main game as a greasemonkey script.
Endgame is a repetitive grind with no real payoff.
If you’re looking for a new idle game and don’t mind being permanently second-class without opening your wallet, it might be worth a casual try.
Otherwise, steer your ship elsewhere.