The AFK Arena sequel is a gorgeous gacha idle game filled with adorable hamsters

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AFK Arena is one of the most addictive idle games I've ever played, but AFK Journey improves upon it in every way. Everything about it is amazing, from its stunning character designs to its strategic battles to its immersive world. While it's techniquely an idle battler, it's a game that's impossible to tear yourself away from.

There's always something to do in AFK Journey, and if you feel like playing it for hours, you can absolutely do so. That flexibility might be my favorite thing about the game. The gameplay had me hooked right from the start, so I got in a good long play session before I took my first break. When I came back, there were tons of idle rewards waiting for me. I love that I can switch between playing it non-stop and treating it as a standard idle game.

Not only can you play AFK Journey in different ways, but there's a good range of content. I spent most of my time taking down enemies in party-based battles, but I could also test my skills with tactile drills that limited me to one or two characters. As I traveled on the world map, I could collect treasure, gather materials, and even solve some simple environmental puzzles! I was always switching from one activity to another, and that kept the game from feeling boring, even after hours of play.

At the start of the game, I had the chance to create my own character, which I appreciated even though the customization options were limited. Several characters automatically joined my party as part of the story, but I recruited my most interesting and powerful party members through the gacha system. I was able to pull plenty of characters without spending money, including an amazing Epic character.

If you've played the original AFK Arena, you'll spot some familiar faces and locations. That said, you can easily dive into the sequel without playing the first game. AFK Journey is more focused on story and lore than the original, but it's designed to be new player friendly. Most of the dialogue has English voice acting, which makes the narrative feel more immersive. So far, it seems like a pretty standard fantasy story, but there are little details, like the cute hamster characters, that make it feel unique.

Even though AFK Journey is still in beta testing, it already feels incredibly polished. Currently, the Beta is only available is specific regions, but if the game is available to you, you should absolutely download it on TapTap and check it out. If you can't play it yet, keep an eye out for the full release. It's a fantastic mobile RPG that idle fans won't want to miss.