Factorio
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Factorio is a highly polished and complex automation game that is frequently described as "perfect" within its genre. While it earns high praise for its optimization, depth, and bug-free experience, it is currently a subject of debate due to its pricing model. The developers maintain a strict policy against sales and have increased the base price over time to account for inflation, leading some potential players to avoid the title on principle despite its high quality.
Pros
- Exceptional polish and optimization; often described as bug-free.
- Deep gameplay complexity that remains rewarding over hundreds of hours.
- Highly addictive and "perfect" execution of the automation genre.
- Runs well on various platforms including Mac and Nintendo Switch.
- A free demo is available for players to test the gameplay before buying.
Cons
- Strict "no sale" policy means the game never receives a discount.
- The base price has increased over time (e.g., from $20 to $35), which has frustrated some users.
- The 2D perspective and specific mechanics may not appeal to fans of 3D alternatives like Satisfactory.
Caveats
- Waiting for a sale is futile as the developers have explicitly stated the game will never be discounted.
- Some users find the price increases for an older, released title to be a dealbreaker on principle.
Best for
- Players who enjoy deep, complex automation and management systems.
- Those looking for a highly stable, well-optimized gaming experience.
- Fans of titles like Rimworld or Dyson Sphere Program.
Avoid if
- You only buy games during Steam sales or at a discount.
- You prefer 3D first-person automation games over 2D top-down styles.
- You are bothered by developers raising prices on already-released software.
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 122-month half-life. The evidence comes from 22 mentions collected between February 2025 and December 2025, providing a current view of community sentiment regarding recent price changes.
Sentiment
7 positive (32%) · 5 mixed (23%) · 10 negative (45%)
Trust + time weighted score: -13% · raw score -14%
What redditors said (10 of 22)
I was looking at factorio, but I’ve read they made their own engine
Never gone on sale and has actually increased in price a couple of times.
I dont think factorio has ever gone on sale, but I appreciate the copium lol
I've never played it on a console but from my experience playing it on my mac, has been pure joy, I think I have about 600 hours into it. It starts slow and gives you room to get get adjusted to the growing complexity. It doesn't get more difficult just more complex. It's a fantastic game.
I love factorio but could not get into satisfactory so I understand.
The devs are goated, steam does NOT have a say on discounts, that's why factorio never goes on sale.
This is such an interesting case study because you read through the comments here and there's definitely some frustration, because a lot of people won't buy this game for $35. It's not worth that much to them. ... But with Factorio you'll never get to find out (unless you're happy with the current price tag).
I removed factorio from wish list cause their stance. Not saying it’s not worth it. It’s the principle, Smokey.
Literally decided not to buy the game just cause of that lol
They literally claimed inflation was the reason why they were raiding prices. I am still in the camp that they shouldn't have increased the base game price since they were putting 90% of the effort into that and the 10% of the Qol features and reworks were done for the dlc in mind.
Compare
Factorio vs Unicorn OverlordFactorio vs Into the BreachFactorio vs XCOM
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