Games similar to Factorio and Satisfactory in 2023

Factorio is a specific kind of game. It is not an ordinary strategy or typical city builder. I didn't find a term for such a category, but the main aspect of this game is the creation of production chains, transporting raw materials between buildings. The most important are probably the production belts, which are used to transport goods. However, not only Factorio provides this type of entertainment, because there are several games worth playing. For example, the Satisfactory mentioned in the title. So if you are looking for similar titles to Satisfactory, or Factorio then I invite you to read on.

I get a little tired of searching for similar games on the Internet. 80% of the results are auto-generated lists, probably done on the basis of tags. Therefore, I have prepared a small list, but composed of games that are actually similar. I have also added an index at the end, which includes those less related titles, but often mentioned by many sites. I will explain how they differ and why they form a completely different category, but chances are that even among them you will find something for yourself.

Factorio

Let's start with Factorio itself. I can't leave out this item, because you may be looking for games similar to another title and the search engine led you here.

The first public version was launched in 2020 and is still being developed today. Evidence of activity is the recently released update dated 11/11/2022. In addition, a version for Nintento Switch was released in October 2022. Admittedly, I wouldn't likely count on major changes, as the game has been out of early access since version 1.0, but it's nice to see that the developers haven't abandoned work on maintenance.

The Factorio is an iconic game of this type and is quite elaborate. You direct a human whose task is to construct a rocket to be sent into space. Getting to this goal is very challenging and really requires many hours. However, the purpose of the game, as in related titles, is not so important. The most important thing is the ability to build and improve factories, which form production chains of various materials. Goods transported by conveyor belts or drones or even trains.

A big advantage and unique element is the railroad. Managing trains and creating junctions is associated with Transport Tycoon, even though it is a completely different type. However, planning an efficient railroad, putting up semaphores of various types is very similar.

The key elements you will notice in Factorio:

• conveyor belts for moving goods
• furnaces, factories
• technology tree
• drons instead of conveyor belts in the late game
• free building
• open world
• multiplayer and singleplayer gameplay

Elements that are specific to Factorio:

• A procedurally generated world of infinite size. The map generates as you explore it, and you'll never run out of room for a new factory.
• Computer opponents in the form of alien bases with worms. They can be aggressive, or passive depending on your game settings. By default they will attack your factories with increasing intensity, which depends on how much pollution you generate.
• Expanded railroads. Automating transport trains, creating loading stations and, of course, intersections with lights.

Satisfactory

To describe it in a nutshell, it is Factorio in 3D. You can see a ton of similarities, but it plays completely because of the first-person view. The FPP view is not the only difference, of course. Factorio is a 2D game, and here you can build upwards, and that's the most important difference in the game. The third dimension is not only the ability to build several buildings one on top of the other - you can create entire platforms in the form of skyscrapers, on which to just build entire factories.

In addition to this railroad, extensive and interesting maps in exploration. There is no procedural world here, but the plus side of this is interesting scenery in different biomes.

The game is further developed by the developers, version 7.0.0 was released in November 15, 2022.

Key elements you'll notice in Satisfactory:

• conveyor belts for moving goods
• furnaces, factories
• technology tree
• free building
• open world

Elements that are specific to Satisfactory:

• The game in 3D, which allows the construction of storied factories
• Railroads and their automation, although not as extensive as in Factorio, but also satisfying and improving the exchange of goods over longer distances
• Additional vehicles, which can be used to move faster and you can even program their automatic routes
• Multiplayer and singleplayer gameplay
• Animals, or rather space creatures, which can attack, but some of thme can also be tamed. This is a minor element of the game and does not significantly affect gameplay.

Dyson Sphere Program

The last title that absorbed me for dozens of hours. A very addictive game, being something intermediate between Factorio and Satisfactory. Still in development. The release of early access took place in January 2021, but so far we have not seen the final version. Nevertheless, I did not find any significant bugs or gameplay flaws in the game. Everything seems complete and I treat it as a completed title. The main asset of the game is that there are multiple planets, which you can colonize, build and transport goods between them.

The game is similarly to Satisfactory in three dimensions, but you can't build vertically here. The developers have made it possible to build floors of some buildings by layering one on top of the other, but this is highly simplified and only increases their production.

Key elements you'll notice in Dyson Sphere Program:

• conveyor belts for moving goods
• furnaces, factories
• technology tree
• free building
• open world

Items that are specific to the Dyson Sphere Program:

• The slight randomness of the generated world
• The ability to travel and build on different planets and in different solar systems
• There is a greater focus on transportation with drones and spacecraft rather than production belts as in Factorio and Satisfactory. The reason for this is the more extensive space stations (habitat for drones and ships) and the need to transport raw materials between planets.
• The ability to build the so-called Dyson Sphere around the sun, which is also the main plot of the game. I avoid details so as not to spoil the gameplay.
• Singleplayer only, but there is a community-created mod that I have not tested:
  https://github.com/hubastard/nebula
  nie wygląda na to, że jest aktywnie rozwijany jak to jest zapewniane w opisie, ale dla zainteresowanych warto spróbować.

If you want to play DSP, it's worth reading the beginner's guide:

Factory Town

I appreciate the work of any indie studio. However, here I have to admit that my impressions with this game are not the best. Such a heavily simplified clone of Factorio in a different setting. Instead of a post-apocalyptic world, we have colorful green and wooden structures. This is the only item of the above that bored me quite quickly. In any case, I do not advise against this title, maybe just maybe this atmosphere will be suitable for you.

The game was released in the form of early access on March 12, 2019 and is receiving generally positive reviews. I would treat it as a good introduction to games like Factorio, or for younger players who might find the other games too difficult.

Factory Town makes a simplified version of Factorio for a reason. Only one person is responsible for creating this game, so I still admire them for their perseverance and for creating a title better than many other games created by large teams.

Key elements you'll notice in Factory Town:

• conveyor belts for moving goods
• farms, factories
• technology tree
• free building
• open world

Elements that are specific to Factory Town:

• Structures made of wood, in the form of huts and farms
• Raw materials like fruits, wood, grains
• Ability to build production belts on multiple floors

Timberborn

Another title that doesn't quite fit the list, but is a reasonably fresh citybuilder worth playing: Timberborn.

There are no conveyor belts here, but they are replaced by friendly beavers. Your goal is to build a village, process raw materials, change the course of the river and survive the drought.

Key elements you'll notice in Timberborn:

• farms, factories, dams
• free building
• open world

Timberborn game specific

• structures made of wood, in the form of huts and farms
• many raw materials, providing food and building materials
• the possibility to build vertically
• possibility to terraform the entire map

I also encourage you to read the tutorial:

Games recommended on the Internet, but not quite like Factorio

As I mentioned at the very beginning, there are a lot of top lists and articles that contain supposedly similar games to Factorio. However, most of them lack the key elements that are most essential in this type of game. Nonetheless, I wanted to give you a brief overview of the titles I found, with a brief indication of whether there is actually anything similar in them.

In addition to the above games, not very popular and often poorly rated productions are often classified as similar. I will not have them listed here. If you think there are other titles worth mentioning, let me know in the comments.