Factory Town
- November 17, 2021
- Erik Asmussen
- 44h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Factory Town" is a logistics-focused village-building game where you automate supply chains using mechanical transportation systems. Produce a variety of goods, research new technology, and expand your civilization with no enemies or survival concerns. Create your own maps or play through eight campaign levels with unique goals. Design intricate systems using gates, triggers, and filters for optimal resource management.
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Charming graphics and relaxing gameplay make it a great casual experience.
- Offers a unique blend of city building and factory automation without the stress of enemies or time limits.
- The developer is very active and responsive to community feedback, regularly updating the game.
- The UI is clunky and can be confusing, making it difficult to manage workers and resources effectively.
- The game can feel repetitive, especially in the campaign where you have to rebuild similar setups multiple times.
- Some mechanics, like the train system and logic blocks, are not well explained, leading to frustration for new players.
- graphics269 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, simplistic, and cozy aesthetic that resonates well with players, often described as cute and colorful. While some reviewers note that the visuals may appear basic or outdated, they effectively complement the game's relaxing atmosphere and gameplay depth, making it accessible on lower-end hardware. Overall, the art style is appreciated for its ability to convey a light-hearted and inviting experience, despite some criticisms regarding clarity and UI design.
“The graphics are intentionally simple and cozy.”
“The simple graphics also manage to be very beautiful, which isn't always easy to pull off.”
“The graphics are fitting for the overall atmosphere of the game.”
“The graphics and UI feel outdated, and there are so many buttons... but maybe that's the style they're going for.”
“The moment you start your game, you may want to turn it off because it looks awful, like it was designed decades ago, but if you can get over the humble graphics you'll be delighted by an extremely rewarding and creative game.”
“The graphics are very poor, performance is low, concept seems good but execution is elementary.”
- gameplay267 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is characterized by its blend of casual resource management and complex automation mechanics, reminiscent of games like Factorio but with a more relaxed atmosphere. While many players appreciate the depth and variety of mechanics, some find the learning curve steep and the tutorial insufficient, leading to confusion about certain systems. Overall, the game offers a satisfying experience with significant replayability, though it could benefit from clearer explanations and more polished mechanics.
“Don't be fooled by this game's simple visuals; there are a plethora of technologies and game mechanics to experiment with.”
“I cannot recommend this game enough; it's super chill, low-stress resource management, and it is super fun, especially with all the mechanics added over the years.”
“The gameplay is smooth and, with the exception of some mild, but predictable quirks, very well polished for its age and early access status.”
“This game has many issues that make the endgame bad, and many mechanics are basically useless.”
“The mechanics are pretty decently programmed but it's so unfortunate that none of it is explained and none of it is properly gated, you'd have 3 things to work on at the start and about 10 minutes in they give you the option to granularly change every little setting and it's so overwhelming I gave up after nearly 5 hours.”
“The gameplay, however, is not really fun right now and some aspects of the game could use some more polishing.”
- music112 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful, relaxing, and soothing qualities, perfectly complementing the charming graphics and light-hearted gameplay. Many players find the soundtrack to be catchy and immersive, creating a calm atmosphere that enhances the overall experience, although some note a lack of variety in tracks. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a delightful and enjoyable experience for players.
“The soundtrack in this game is absolutely gorgeous, and perfect for the small-town, country type of vibe this game has going.”
“The music is calming, the world is cute, the people hop around, the train logistics and programmable switches are intuitive and easy to work with, and the game can be used to make some incredibly sophisticated product networks.”
“The charming graphics and light-hearted music hide surprisingly deep gameplay.”
“The music is sparse and there aren't many tracks (there might only be one) and there aren't any sound effects which does help it be a more relaxing experience but when the music isn't playing it's too silent.”
“Music is painfully samey and dull, I'm not sure how many tracks there are but I had to mute it.”
“The music is a bit like Final Fantasy music, very chilled and very repetitive; I would recommend turning it down a bit.”
- story66 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game lacks a traditional narrative, with players noting that it functions more as a sandbox experience than a story-driven campaign. While missions provide goals to achieve, they often feel repetitive and devoid of engaging plot elements, leading to player frustration and a high dropout rate. Overall, the absence of a compelling story detracts from the experience, leaving many players wishing for more narrative depth or quests to enhance their gameplay.
“Overall the achievements stats tell the story.”
“It's a little overwhelming to start with but the campaign missions do a good job of giving you achievable goals to learn as you go.”
“No updates, bug fixes, etc. I love the game, but I think it is missing something... at least some intermittent quests or story in order to expand on the wonderful work they have done.”
“There is no real story to anything, thus missions are driven by goals.”
“Game visibly lacks storyline.”
“I think where this game falls flat relative to its contemporaries is that it doesn't have a story to tell.”
- grinding52 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with many noting that while it can be tedious and time-consuming, it is often manageable and not overly difficult. The lack of a clear overarching goal contributes to a sense of repetitiveness, especially in late-game scenarios where micromanagement and resource management become cumbersome. However, some players appreciate the relaxing nature of the gameplay, despite the occasional frustrations with the UI and the need for constant rebuilding and optimization.
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
“The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel well-earned.”
“I love how the grinding mechanics encourage exploration and experimentation with different strategies.”
“This game is missing an overarching goal to get through all the complexity and grinding.”
“However, that lack of urgency can make the end game of Factory Town more tedious and, unlike Factorio, there is no specific goal.”
“Initially fun, but it soon became very tedious and time-consuming to manually replicate repeating building patterns.”
- optimization42 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and low system requirements, while others report significant performance issues, particularly on Linux. Many users appreciate the depth of optimization available within the gameplay, but there are concerns about coding inefficiencies that lead to lag and stuttering, especially in late-game scenarios. Overall, while some players find the game well-optimized and enjoyable, others feel that further improvements are necessary to enhance performance and stability.
“Factory Town takes a new approach on the automation game with the multiple z-levels for building and multiple underground layers for optimization.”
“Super relaxing game focused on optimization with no real failure modes.”
“Endless tweaking and optimization options plus a ton of buildings and resources to make will keep you coming back for more.”
“The game loop is fun, but its performance is pretty atrocious on Linux (Steam Play and Proton experimental).”
“Unfortunately, it's pretty badly coded and the performance is terrible.”
“Edit: an update was released improving performance, but I loaded up my old endgame save and it was still unplayable, possibly even worse.”
- replayability29 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability, with many players praising its depth, variety in gameplay options, and continuous updates that enhance the experience. However, some users express concerns about repetitive elements and a lack of pressure, which may diminish long-term replay value. Despite these criticisms, many find the game addictive and capable of providing countless hours of enjoyment through different strategies and game modes.
“This game is the epitome of 'easy to learn, difficult to master' and has a huge amount of replay value.”
“There is a lot of replayability by changing game rules, starting biomes, resource scarcity, and what the overall map looks like; I've been wanting to try a map that I only use boats and canals.”
“The replayability is very high and the developer is continually improving the game.”
“There is little to no replayability because every game is exactly the same.”
“Even in sandbox mode, there is no real replayability; it is just more of exactly the same.”
“I am a little concerned though about how much replayability there is once all the campaigns are completed...”
- stability21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 81 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report minor glitches and bugs that do not significantly disrupt gameplay, others have experienced more severe issues, particularly with pathfinding and controller usability. Some users noted that the game runs smoothly on Linux and has been patched quickly for minor issues, but there are still complaints about frustrating bugs that can detract from the experience. Despite these concerns, many players find the game enjoyable and rewarding as they progress.
“An easy, fun resource-management game with decent graphics and no glitches.”
“Also runs great on Linux via Proton and the 1.0 release is imminent - thoroughly recommended!”
“So I got to play for a few hours and have to say it's a good game with no glitches, but only a few small things like adding in a workshop for mods. Other than that, it runs smoothly.”
“Using the controller is buggy and not easily usable.”
“Pathfinding is buggy, and at least for ships, you have to hand-route them around even simple obstacles.”
“Second, I need to state that this review is negative purely because of some really horrible glitches that have made me lose interest in taking the game any further.”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as relaxing and soothing, with a chill vibe that encourages a laid-back gaming experience. Players appreciate the calming soundtrack and clean art style, which contribute to a tranquil environment, making it easy to lose track of time while playing. While some critiques mention the need for improved sound design, the overall sentiment highlights the game's ability to create a peaceful and enjoyable atmosphere, reminiscent of titles like Stardew Valley and Factorio, but without the tension of threats or enemies.
“It has a chill atmosphere with a soothing soundtrack and clean art style.”
“The atmosphere, music, and cartoonish look make it very relaxing to play.”
“Having the gameplay focus on just automation without any enemies or threats really lets you focus on your town and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.”
“My only criticism is that the sound design needs work; builds, workers, and vehicles need to make sounds to add to the atmosphere of the game.”
“But where Factorio does it with an atmosphere of alien danger and isolation, Factory Town does it with an atmosphere of simple beauty and tranquility.”
“It's a city builder, with Factorio-like automation, with a very casual atmosphere.”
- humor5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as inconsistent; while some players find it genuinely funny and appreciate the entertaining interactions, others feel that the overall experience is lacking in comedic value, with some even suggesting that the game's management mechanics detract from its potential for humor.
“Maybe new campaigns can be added that have a different kind of goal in mind, with funny limitations in place, like only using trains or something.”
“Very funny game.”
“You can interact with the game's reality in a funny and entertaining way.”
“The whole game is about resource and worker management, and it's so bad it's not funny.”
“Don't waste your time or money; go buy Satisfactory or its baby brother. They are so much better, it's not funny.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its charming aesthetics and wholesome vibe, creating an emotional connection with players. However, despite its appealing graphics and engaging updates, it also evokes strong feelings, leading some players to experience moments of sadness.
“Omg, it's a cute city builder with charming-looking residents and an overall wholesome aesthetic.”
“Every update in beta has made me feel like I'm playing a completely new game, each one better than the last!”
“That said, the graphics and concept are good, but the rest just makes you want to cry.”
