Factorio is a hard game to describe. It's something of a base builder, a resource manager, and a real-time strategy game. Yet, at the same time, it's none of those.

Factorio is best described like so:

"Everything you can do by hand can be done by machines, only faster and better."

That is the core of Factorio. Automation and production line design.

If you like games like Big Pharma, this game is that on steroids.

## 2018 ##

Hard to believe it's 2018 already and I've clocked over 1300 hours in Factorio. The developers continue to polish and add new stuff at every turn. Every change is well thought out and makes them game even better.

This is a game where the limits truly are your imagination. Especially with the ample modding community.

Wube Software has done an amazing job and I can't wait to see what the final Factorio looks like and what they do after 1.0.

## 2019 ##

Damn, 2019 already? I'm now up to over 2000 hours and Factorio continues to be my number 1 favourite game. More polish, more features, and just more good stuff all around.

## 2020 ##

Well damn, here we are. 2020 and the game is fully released. The last year has brought a few major game play changes and balances but the core of Factorio is still as strong as ever. More importantly this game has been polished to an immaculate shine compared to a lot of other games.

I cannot recommend it enough if. Time and time again I've seen people scoff at it before sinking hundreds upon hundreds of hours into it. Seriously, give it a chance. It might surprise you!

## 2023 ##

2023. Goodness, what a year. We've seen a significant slowdown in Wube's communications about Factorio but behind the scenes they've been hard at work! Major engine changes to facilitate a brand new expansion with tons of new challenges and features on the horizon! If you want to get into this game, now is the time!

## 2025 ##

The game that keeps on giving. With the release of the Space Age DLC (which I need to do a review for at some point...) this game just... I cannot overstate how much better it keeps getting. More quality of life, more amazing playtime. Keep cooking, devs! You guys just keep raising the bar!

I really hate having to do this but the direction the developer has taken forces me to...

I am changing my review from positive to negative based on the following factors:

* Consistent and ongoing lack of support from the developer for the modding community or, in some cases, outright sabotaging of it.
* The complete lack of any kind of attempts to moderator or enforce rules in the Steam Workshop.
* The outrageous excuses for what the developer has the gal to call "content packs" (DLC) that they've been putting out (two at time of writing, the Frosty Pack and the Bionic Pack). They are buggy and nowhere near enough content to make it remotely worth the asking price.
* The fact that numerous bugs and quality of life features have been consistently overlooked and ignored in favour of the aforementioned "content" packs (just calling them "content" actually makes me laugh internally).

I would still say the base game and the Spaced Out DLC are worth a look at if you like this style of game and they still stand as one of my most beloved games of all time. The game in its current state, though, I cannot recommend. In fact, if the developer continues their current trend I would recommend saving your money and staying far, far away.

Original Review

I was originally rather unsure about Oxygen Not Included. It seemed like a goofy game with a very cartoon visual style. 2240 hours later and I can't express more how wrong I was in my initial impressions of the game. There's a literal mountain of depth here, more than Dwarf Fortress has on offer in some respects. What materials you build things out of matters a lot more than in Dwarf Fortress because of the game's thermal simulation. That's right! You can actually heat substances up to the point where they melt or vaporise! Different materials have different properties and that has far-reaching effects on how your base performs or if it does at all.

If you love Dwarf Fortress, especially its sometimes comical aspects, then I can wholeheartedly recommend Oxygen Not Included. If you like colony games and are looking for something more complex than the usual fare, definitely give Oxygen Not Included a try. It tickles a lot of the same itches as Factorio and Satisfactory. Don't let the somewhat cartoon, cute art style throw you off. This game is a genuine gem.