Production Line

About

Production Line is a factory simulation game that allows you to design, build, and manage your own car production line. Create and customize your factory layout, choose from a variety of car models and parts, and manage your production chain to maximize efficiency and profit. Expand your business and compete with other AI-controlled car companies to become the leader in the market.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,303 reviews

gameplay63 positive mentions

stability47 negative mentions

Engaging and addictive gameplay that challenges players to optimize their production lines.
Well-designed mechanics that simulate the complexities of running a car manufacturing plant.
Active developer support with regular updates and community engagement.

Frequent crashes and bugs that disrupt gameplay and can lead to lost progress.
Clunky user interface and controls that can be frustrating to navigate.
Lack of depth in the economic and market systems, making it feel repetitive over time.

gameplay
240 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
65%
8%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a solid core mechanic focused on factory management and production line optimization, which many players find addictive and enjoyable once they overcome the initial learning curve. However, several reviews highlight issues such as a lack of depth, repetitive gameplay, confusing mechanics, and bugs that detract from the overall experience. While the game shows potential with its unique mechanics and frequent updates from the developers, many players feel that it requires significant improvements in user interface and gameplay variety to enhance long-term engagement.
- “The gameplay loop of starting macro and becoming more and more specialized is addictive, and works very well.”
- “The gameplay is smooth with very few bugs that I can tell, and you're not always trying to sell me something!”
- “Great game, goes truly into depth behind the mechanics of manufacturing a car, and has got me gripped for future updates.”
- “There just isn't enough meta events to shake up the gameplay.”
- “Many of these could maybe be overlooked, but in the end, the base gameplay loop of 'build a boring factory with a clunky building UI' -> 'go AFK as you wait for research and money' -> 'repeat' is just not fun.”
- “Gameplay at the moment is very basic and once you learn the game mechanics it gets extremely boring and repetitive.”
graphics
143 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
3%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the simple yet effective aesthetic that suits the gameplay, while others criticize them as outdated or lacking polish. Many users note occasional graphical glitches and a need for improvement, but overall, the visuals are considered decent and functional for the game's mechanics. Despite the criticisms, some players find the graphics charming and fitting for the game's theme, contributing to an enjoyable experience.
- “Fantastic game using such simple graphics to bring all the aspects to life that we expect from a car factory!”
- “The graphics are really cool and I love the attention to small details.”
- “The graphics are quite clean, with some pretty crisp textures on the cars.”
- “The only thing I don't really like about it is the graphics look like they are from a game from 20 years ago.”
- “Lastly, it looks like the game was clearly developed on a timeline and/or budget with no real room for exploration of better visuals and dynamics into managing an automotive manufacturing company.”
- “But initial joy in playing is let down by numerous bugs, poor graphics and repetitive gameplay.”
optimization
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
68%
4%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews; while many players appreciate its engaging optimization challenges and smooth performance on smaller scales, significant performance issues arise when managing larger factories, leading to crashes and lag. Some users express frustration over the lack of advanced optimization options and linear gameplay, while others highlight the game's potential for deep strategic planning and resource management. Overall, it is recommended for fans of the genre, but caution is advised for those with less powerful systems.
- “If you enjoy strategy, optimization, and the satisfaction of seeing your creations come to life, Production Line is well worth your time.”
- “Highly recommended to anyone with even the smallest interest in kanban, constraint theory, and system optimization who'd like a sandbox to test out all that theory within a reasonable timeframe.”
- “Overall, it is clear the developers have prioritized attention towards what makes games like this compelling and challenging: the focus is on the optimization through building, placement, routing, and light resource/time management for the building of the cars you are creating.”
- “The only problem is if you run this like a non-stop factory on a bigger scale, the performance will drop significantly, and crashing seems to be a common occurrence. It's fine when I run it on a smaller map.”
- “Very, very bad performance issues; it is essentially impossible to build a large factory without getting a really bad experience due to low performance.”
- “Edit January 3, 2022 - I guess I can stop waiting to see if this gets fixed, as the developer abandoned the game way before it was in a playable, optimized, and relatively bug-free state.”
music
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
58%
11%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the soundtrack as enjoyable and fitting for the gameplay, while others criticize it for being repetitive and limited in variety, often leading them to mute it. Many noted that the music enhances the experience when zooming in and out of the factory, but issues like tracks stopping unexpectedly and a lack of diverse songs detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, while the music has its fans, it appears to be a point of contention for many players.
- “The music is good - quite motivating and provoking at the same time.”
- “When you zoom out, the music volume pumps up, giving you this feeling of watching the factory floor from some manager's office above it; zooming in brings the volume down, allowing you to concentrate on whatever you're building or inspecting.”
- “Highly addictive game that will make time just disappear and the soundtrack is awesome.”
- “Not enough music tracks.”
- “The soundtrack is awful, though this may have been updated since I muted it.”
- “The music got on my nerves and was muted within minutes.”
stability
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The game is widely criticized for its instability, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and graphical glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Users have noted issues with item placement, particularly with conveyor belts, and many have experienced frustrating freezes and crashes that can lead to lost progress. While some players see potential in the game, the overall consensus is that it feels unfinished and requires substantial improvements to achieve a stable experience.
- “Game runs great.”
- “Production line has a pleasing aesthetic and runs great on PC.”
- “What is here is complete and so far almost bug free, and if you enjoy resource management games, then you will love the new style of this one.”
- “There are a lot of bugs; it can even happen that the game freezes and you lose everything you made.”
- “The game is incredibly buggy and crashes very often.”
- “Releasing a supposedly finished game with so much instability and graphical glitches made me choose not to recommend it.”
story
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
75%
18%
The game lacks a traditional story, with many users noting that it feels more like a sandbox experience focused on factory management rather than narrative-driven gameplay. While some players appreciate the depth and challenge of optimizing production lines, others express a desire for a campaign or mission-based structure to enhance engagement. Overall, the absence of a cohesive story is a common critique, with many suggesting that the gameplay could benefit from additional missions or a narrative framework.
- “Epic story.”
- “What a fantastic game, I lose all sense of time while trying to beat the mission targets.”
- “Future, I would hope that for this game the future would bring more scenarios or maybe a story-style mission where you take over a failing company.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “There's no campaign, no story, no competition whatsoever, barely any challenge or something to do.”
- “There is no story, no career, no intuitive competition.”
replayability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
76%
15%
The reviews on replayability are mixed, with some players finding the game offers little to no replay value after initial completion, while others appreciate its depth and complexity, leading to significant replayability through optimization and factory expansion. Many note that the lack of multiplayer and user-generated content limits replay potential, although frequent updates may enhance it over time. Overall, the game's replayability seems to depend heavily on individual player preferences and engagement with its mechanics.
- “Can be simple or very complex which gives it high replay value.”
- “Replayability comes from expanding your factory and trying to make larger and larger factories.”
- “This is a game tuned for replayability with variation that forces you to think like an actual production engineer and own the business outcomes.”
- “The replayability of this game is virtually nothing.”
- “Starting over at this point presents you with the reality that there is absolutely no replay value to this game.”
- “But once you 'finish' the game, there's not much replayability.”
grinding
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
9%
86%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly in the later stages where repetitive tasks like adding features to factories and adjusting prices become monotonous. While the game starts off engaging, many reviewers note that it can feel empty and overly repetitive once the initial challenges are overcome, leading to a grindy experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment. Suggestions for improvement include adding more creative elements and reducing the tedium associated with factory management and feature implementation.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's great, pretty simple but very tedious, not much challenge except on the early stage when the majority of people are struggling with income vs expenses.”
- “However, at some point you've unlocked all the factory parts and you're stuck in a grindy loop: unlock a new car feature, click 'add to all factory slots', add the feature to your highest-end models, go in and tweak all your prices, repeat ad infinitum.”
- “After a while, the progression gets tedious and after 7.7 hours of current game time over the past few days, I've almost maxed out the technology tree for what matters and the game just feels empty beyond researching technology and building an efficient layout factory.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users criticizing it as a cash grab and expressing concerns about misleading advertising. While there are suggestions for more diverse marketing options and better financial management features, the overall sentiment indicates a lack of depth and polish, leading to frustration among players. Additionally, the game's tutorial is seen as insufficient, leaving players to navigate complex financial systems on their own.
- “Unfinished and feels abandoned, so it's just a cash grab.”
- “I was also planning on getting Democracy 4 by the same developer, but given that he just did a cash grab with this game, I won't be doing that - with his history, it'll sell a few copies and then be abandoned as well.”
- “The biggest downside so far to this game is something I'm sure they will fix, but the tutorial literally only gives you the basics and leaves you to figure a lot out on your own, including loans, market demand, and advertising.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it both funny and addictive, particularly in the context of optimizing production lines. The developer's engaging communication and humorous approach to explaining game mechanics enhance the overall experience, although some players feel that more detailed and amusing descriptions for technologies could improve the game further. Overall, the blend of simplicity and complexity, along with humorous graphic elements, contributes to its charm.
- “As another user pointed out, it's a really funny game when you have to make your production lines more and more efficient every time.”
- “Quite an addictive game; optimizing the production lines is funny and satisfying.”
- “I've found Production Line to hold my interest because it contains humorous graphic elements, as much data as you'd like to consume, and can be played with different goals in mind.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its beautiful, cartoonish-realistic graphics and dynamic animations that create an enjoyable experience. While it effectively balances challenge and fun, some users feel that the overall presentation could be improved for a more immersive atmosphere. Additionally, the theme of sustainability resonates with players, enhancing the game's relevance.
- “It gives you the right atmosphere and is well balanced between challenge and fun.”
- “Its beautiful, somewhat cartoonish-realistic graphics and its great animations produce a pleasant, dynamic atmosphere: you really enjoy watching how your large chain of production flows in an organic way.”
- “I believe this could be better approached to give a more presentable and playable atmosphere.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mix of frustration and unexpected attachment to the game, feeling emotionally drained by lengthy, passive gameplay that leaves them waiting without engagement. Despite this, some find themselves drawn back to the game, indicating a complex emotional relationship that combines feelings of busyness with a lack of control.
- “For some reason, I came back and revisited this game after not touching it for a long time.”
- “Made me feel busy, yet not in control.”