Mine and process minerals and natural resources to construct a giant factory. Your goal is to manufacture highly complex computer chips. Build machines, conveyors, pipes and power poles to create a vast and interconnected system.
The core gameplay focuses on creating an efficient and interconnected factory system to process raw materials and produce increasingly complex products, such as computer chips. Players start with a blank canvas and must progressively unlock new machines, crafting chains, and tools to manage their growing operation. The game presents a great logistical optimization puzzle, as each building has different sizes and input/output placements, requiring players to carefully plan their factory layout to maximize efficiency.
One of the key challenges is resource management. Players must harvest and transport various resources, often from fixed deposits, using conveyor belts and other machinery. The game rewards careful planning, as running out of essential resources like stone can lead to a game over. Players must constantly adjust and restructure their crafting chains to acquire the necessary materials for research and production.
As players progress, they unlock a research system that allows them to discover new technologies and machinery. Researching a technology requires specific quantities of different items, forcing players to rework their factory layout and resource flows to meet these requirements. This adds an extra layer of challenge and variety, as the optimal configuration is constantly shifting.
Despite the game's basic visual presentation, the user interface is clear and functional, allowing players to focus on the core logistical puzzles. The lack of distracting elements or unnecessary features encourages players to concentrate on optimizing their factory's efficiency. While the UI may be considered "clunky" by some, it ultimately serves the game's purpose well.
The game features a procedurally generated game world, providing a unique challenge with each playthrough. The placement and availability of resources can vary, requiring players to adapt their strategies and solutions accordingly. This adds to the replayability, as players must constantly find new ways to tackle the logistical challenges presented.
One of the game's strengths is its relaxed pacing and lack of external pressures or time constraints. Players can take their time to plan and optimize their factory, without the need to worry about sudden threats or resource depletion. This allows for a more contemplative and rewarding experience, with the depth of the logistical puzzles providing a substantial sense of accomplishment as players progress.