We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.
Switch

North America

Factorio (Switch) Review

by Aiden Crawford - February 28, 2023, 2:04 pm EST
Discuss in talkback!

7

Expand and defend your factories in this simulation experience.

Factorio on Switch is a complex and intricate factory-building simulation game that offers a deep and rewarding experience for players who are willing to invest the time and effort to learn its mechanics. The game is both challenging and satisfying, as players must carefully plan and manage the production lines for their factories, while also defending against various enemies that try to disrupt their operations.

Compared to other titles on the Switch, Factorio stands out for its depth and complexity. It's a game that requires a significant time investment, as players must constantly work to optimize their factories and stay ahead of the competition. However, the rewards are well worth it, as the sense of satisfaction that comes from seeing a well-oiled production line run smoothly is truly unparalleled.

The premise of the game is to build and manage factories, mine resources, and automate production lines. Factorio also has a strong emphasis on logistics and planning, requiring players to think carefully about the layout of their factories and the efficiency of their processes. It offers an engaging open-world experience where players spend the majority of their time designing and optimizing their factory layouts. The game offers a clear objective for players to achieve, ranging from building defensive perimeters to constructing a rocket ship to escape the planet. However, players must constantly upgrade their systems as new technologies become available.

The game's Freeplay mode is an expansive, procedurally generated map with scarce resources, where players must construct their own dwellings from scratch while also generating power and materials to survive. For me, the most prudent course of action was to prioritize our safety by stocking up on ammunition for our turrets and firearms. However, there is no defined route for game progression, and completing a single playthrough may require several hours of gameplay.

For players who find Freeplay too daunting or unstructured, the game offers a variety of preset Challenges. These range from time-sensitive missions that restrict building space to competitions against other players to construct a rocket first. While some of these may resemble drawn-out tutorials, they offer an entertaining way for seasoned players to add some variety to their gameplay.

Factorio offers a range of interesting technologies for players to research and build, from basic conveyor belts to deadly robots. These items can be used for defense against wildlife and monsters or to speed up production. However, as production speed increases, pollution also increases, causing the evolution of aggressive wildlife to become more rapid. The majority of these technologies are designed to either safeguard your industrialized domain or enhance the rate of production for essential research packs and materials. The game quickly turns into a race against time to optimize industry and escape the planet before being overrun by monsters. There are occasional issues, such as the slow-loading title screen, but they don't significantly detract from the overall solid gameplay experience.

The game's appearance and sound design are also top-notch. The graphics are functional and utilitarian, with a focus on conveying information and facilitating gameplay rather than looking pretty. The sound design is also excellent, with a variety of satisfying sound effects that really bring the game world to life. The music in the game is fittingly atmospheric, with eerie melodies that reflect the sense of loneliness and struggle in the early stages of the game, gradually building up to a more triumphant tone as you make progress and become more successful.

Factorio contains countless hours of gameplay, thanks to its surprisingly complex and deep research system. As you progress, the gameplay becomes well balanced, gradually increasing the danger and challenging you to strategize and optimize your factory even further. Multiplayer is also very fun when it works, allowing you to collaborate with others and create truly massive factories. However, there are some drawbacks to Factorio. The pop-ups that block important text on the screen can be frustrating. Additionally, the joystick controls aren't quite precise enough for the chaotic factory layouts, making it challenging to build with the level of precision one desires.

Overall, Factorio is a game that offers a great deal of depth and challenge for those who enjoy strategy and optimization games. While there are some minor frustrations, they do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. If you are looking for a game that will keep you entertained for countless hours, Factorio is definitely worth checking out.

Summary

Pros
  • Challenges and Freeplay mode
  • Deep and complex
  • Solid presentation and sound design
Cons
  • Controls aren't perfect
  • Frustrating UI pop-ups

Share + Bookmark





Switch

Game Profile

Genre Simulation
Developer
Players1

Worldwide Releases

na: Factorio
Release Oct 28, 2022
RatingTeen

Related Content

Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement