Play it if
You want the deepest automation game ever made.
Skip it if
You want a first-person world to explore.
Fact sheet
- Players
- 1–8 players
- Online play
- Yes
- Cross-play
- Yes
- Solo
- Built for solo, great in co-op
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- Typical playtime
- ~200 hours
- Steam Deck
- Verified
1The pitch
You start by mining ore by hand, then build drills, belts and furnaces. Soon you design production lines that feed each other, and the factory grows across the map.
2How it plays
Every problem has many solutions, and fixing bottlenecks is endlessly satisfying. Logistics networks, trains and circuits add depth. Multiplayer servers can host whole teams building one factory.
3Where it beats its rival
Against Satisfactory it wins on depth, clarity and performance. Its top-down view makes huge factories readable. It is the better choice if you want the purest form of the genre.
4Look & sound
Simple graphics are clear and detailed, and the factory sounds hypnotic. It runs smoothly even with gigantic bases.
5Setup & value
It lists at $35.00, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, supports cross-platform multiplayer and is Verified on Steam Deck. The price never goes on sale.
Best bits
- Unmatched depth
- Endless optimisation
- Excellent performance
- Verified on Steam Deck
Watch out
- Steep learning curve
- Can take over your life
Score sheet
- Depth 25%
- 96
- Feel 25%
- 94
- Easy to start 15%
- 72
- Replay 20%
- 98
- Value 15%
- 98
96 × 25% + 94 × 25% + 72 × 15% + 98 × 20% + 98 × 15% = 92.60 → 93
The judges' verdict
Verdict
“Factorio is the master of its genre. It wins this rematch on depth and longevity.”
By the Bet Compare Guide editorial desk · Updated 20 Oct 2026 · How we score · Report an error
