Factory building games offer a unique thrill, combining creativity, strategy and automation into an addictive experience. We’re looking at the best factory building games, where you will manage complex production lines, defend your empire and explore alien worlds.
Factorio
Let’s start our list with one of the staples of the base building and automation genre: Factorio. Released in 2020, this is the ultimate game for anyone who loves the thrill of building, transforming and maintaining their industrial empire. What started out as simple – cutting down trees and building conveyor belts by hand – quickly developed into a huge, automated production powerhouse. Everything can be automated to the point where you can barely do anything.
But great industrial power also brings great responsibility, as the local wildlife has little interest in the region’s relentless expansion. Get ready for fierce battles as you defend your growing empire. But what actually works Factorio shining is its infinite depth. Every session feels like a new challenge, even after hundreds (or thousands) of hours. This is one of the best factory building games we have ever played. Smooth controls, clever mechanics, and an ever-growing list of mods keep us coming back for more.
Satisfying
Latest 1.0 release of Satisfying made us excited to pick it up again, and we weren’t disappointed! This is not surprising because the developer is none other than Coffee Stain Studios. On a vast alien world, your sole mission is to build the most efficient and expansive factory the universe has ever seen. Build towering structures and dominate the landscape, using the planet’s natural resources to support your industrial empire. The world is huge, and you are free to build wherever you want.
Automate everything. Build conveyor belts that traverse mountains and transport resources by truck, train, or even drone. Explore and exploit unfamiliar terrain. Whether you’re driving a truck or flying a jetpack, the world is full of secrets and resources to uncover. With endless customization options, a vast world to conquer, and an ever-present urge to customize, Satisfying offers a unique, almost zen-like experience. But be careful, you might lose track of time!
form 2
Four years after release formzfactory building game form 2 has been released in Early Access. This top-down game is all about building huge factories that are infinitely layered. The goal? Automate the transformation of simple geometric shapes into complex designs.
The beauty of form 2 lies in the balance of complexity and relaxation. There is no time limit. There are no enemies. Resources are unlimited, so you can delete, redesign, and rebuild endlessly without penalty. form 2 perhaps not for the ultra-hardcore factory simulation crowd, but for anyone looking for a relaxed, puzzle-focused factory experience that prioritizes creativity and improvement, this game is an absolute gem.
Big Small Workshop
If you’re looking for something more casual than what you’ve seen so far, try this colorful indie game Big Small Workshop. Imagine a unique workshop where your hardworking employees create everything from rubber ducks to electric guitars. As Big Boss, you’ll manage a busy factory floor, juggle machines, and coordinate your team to meet ever-changing customer demands.
Design efficient production lines to produce more than 50 unique products made from various materials. The game may seem cute, but the challenges escalate quickly, requiring strategic thinking and quick decision making. Big Small Workshop is more of a management and simulation game than a pure factory building game, but we think it’s a great time for fans of the genre.
CASTING
If Factorio And Minecraft have a baby, it will probably look like that CASTING. This Early Access title sends you to a mysterious, unexplored planet where you build a vast automated factory. Guided by your AI companion, Carl, you’ll move from hands-on resource mining to managing intricately optimized production lines, building everything from towering machines to complex networks of conveyor belts.
The freedom to build wherever your imagination takes you is groundbreaking. Sculpt the landscape block by block as you explore dynamic, fully destructible environments. The satisfying gameplay loop is reminiscent of Factorio And Satisfyingand the game offers a fun yet engaging experience for both genre veterans and newcomers alike. We believe CASTING is one of the best factory building games of 2024 so far.
Captain of industry
In the Captain of industryYou lead a small group of hardy survivors as they transform an uncharted island into a thriving industrial center. As your settlement grows, learn advanced technology, trade with neighboring islands, and even dream of launching your own space program! The game offers over 150 unique products to explore, ensuring each playthrough feels fresh and exciting.
The logistics system is a game changer, allowing you to automate the delivery of resources in trucks that can be upgraded and expanded as your empire grows. The ability to change the shape of your surroundings adds a strategic touch, allowing you to shape the landscape to suit your ambitions. The gameplay is addictive, and Captain of industry continues to grow! The developer is committed to improving the experience and actively engaging with the community.
Rift Breaker
If you like factory building games with a bit of tower defense gameplay mixed with some RPG and survival elements, Rift Breaker very suitable for you. Step into the shoes of Captain Ashley S. Nowak, an elite scientist equipped with a cutting-edge mecha suit known as “Mr. Riggs.” Travel through a one-way portal to Galatea 37, a mysterious planet on the edge of the Milky Way, and build a base that will pave the way for humanity’s colonization of this alien world.
As you gather resources, research innovative technologies, and strengthen your defenses, hostile creatures lurk around every corner. Prepare to face endless waves of enemies as you expand your industry and disrupt the natural order of Galatea 37. What really happened Rift Breaker Apart from that it is an addictive survival mode. The amount of content is incredible, and the soundtrack makes every battle feel epic.
Factory City
Factory City is about building, automating and enhancing vast factories in a 3D landscape. You’ll harness the power of conveyor belts, trains, chutes, pipes, and even airships to keep production running smoothly. Your mission? Providing nearby villages with everything from food to magical artifacts, expanding their borders and unlocking new technology along the way. With no enemies or threats to thwart your plans, the focus is purely on logistics.
You can shape the terrain, create custom maps, and even use Steam Workshop to add your own twists. Factory City strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and depth, with enough complexity to keep things interesting without overwhelming you. Plus, the cute visuals and unobtrusive music make for a relaxing yet rewarding logistical puzzle that rivals the best in the genre.
Dyson Ball Program
The next game on our list of the best factory building games will take you to space and allow you to build an intergalactic factory! You start with a small workshop in a large space and build it into an efficient industrial powerhouse. As an aerospace engineer working for COSMO, you will shape the future of humanity by empowering a supercomputer called CentreBrain. Each universe is unique, filled with celestial wonders like black holes and neutron stars, giving you new challenges and opportunities to explore.
One of the best parts is how creative you can be. You have complete freedom to design your Dyson Ball, from the smallest details of its structure to the way the layers surround the star. With a chilling soundtrack and a serene universe backdrop, Dyson Ball Program offers strategy and calm. If you’re ready to think big, like a big galaxy, this is the game for you.
Honorable Mention
There is one more game that we want to recommend, which will be released in 2023 Tectonics. We’ve covered it in our blog about the best simulation games, so head over there and check it out!
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Happy Gaming!