Jiahao

A desktop idler that is difficult to figure out at first, especially when it comes to understanding what it actually has to offer. There is an English translation for most of the interface, but much of it provides little useful information, so you are left figuring things out by clicking through different options. The character’s spoken lines, which also appear as text in speech bubbles, are not translated. Both the lines and the moves that the character, Haoge, can perform are randomized. Once you unlock them, you can trigger them whenever you want.

The main goal is to keep the idler running and earn money to buy consumable food that increases something called HaoYi. Reaching certain amounts of HaoYi unlocks the next tier or bundle of lines and actions that Haoge can perform. There is also a stock market feature that can supposedly be used to increase HaoYi, but it feels more like rigged gambling since the money you invest is always lost.

There are a few standard desktop app features as well, including a music and ambient sound player, daily task reminders, sticky notes, and a Pomodoro timer intended for studying. Progress is extremely slow, as you would expect from a desktop idler, but unfortunately there are not many engaging mechanics to give you a reason to keep it running for more than a few hours.