The Best Automation Games

Update : Techtonica added at rank #40.
1

Factorio (2020)

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97
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Mac OS Linux

Factorio is an absorbing factory management game. You play the role of a handy person who needs to build a rocket and craft almost anything with little more than spit and elbow grease. Automation is the key to success as you establish production chains and assembly lines to make sure all the hard work is done for you.


What we like:
  • Complex puzzle-solving
  • Open-ended gameplay
  • Automation mechanics
  • Creative assembly lines
  • Captivating story
What could be improved:
  • Tedious combat
  • Limited environmental resources
  • Environmental consequences of mass manufacturing

  • management
  • construction
  • automation
  • simulation
  • robots
  • base-building
  • resource-management
  • trains
  • crafting
  • empire
  • sandbox
  • multiplayer
  • cooperative
  • resource
  • aliens

2

Satisfactory (2024)

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90
Review score
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PC Windows Android

Satisfactory is an engaging first-person factory-building game on an alien planet, allowing players to explore a pre-generated world and harvest natural resources to create automated factories. With great power systems and conveyor belts to help automate resource collection and transportation, the game offers a fun and addictive experience for control freaks and automation enthusiasts. The added survival element provides extra depth, making it a must-play for exploration and building game fans.


What we like:
  • Engaging first-person factory-building experience
  • Pre-generated world for unique gameplay experience
  • Fun power systems and conveyor belts for resource automation
  • Survival element adds extra depth
  • Great for building and automation enthusiasts
What could be improved:
  • May require significant time investment to unlock useful devices and modes of transportation
  • Demands patience, structure and adaptability

  • first-person
  • sandbox
  • factory
  • crafting
  • automation
  • survival
  • open-world
  • factory-builder
  • robo-said
  • base-building
  • rps
  • cookie
  • whale
  • resource
  • cooperative

3

shapez 2 (2024)

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93
Review score
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early access Linux Android PC Windows Mac OS

Dive into a factory-building game where the focus is on just that — building huge factories! Construct sprawling multi-level factories and min-max your layouts without limits. Shapez 2 is tailor-made for enthusiasts who crave the thrill of optimizing production lines and perfecting automation.


  • automation
  • trains
  • transportation
  • base-building
  • factory-building
  • building
  • logic
  • space
  • resource-management
  • sandbox
  • crafting
  • simulation
  • relaxing
  • programming
  • puzzle

4

Nova Lands (2023)

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83
Review score
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Playstation 4 Xbox One PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Dive into Nova Lands, where your creativity fuels an open-world adventure of base-building and automation! Master resource management, befriend or battle exotic creatures, and design a thriving industry with adorable helper bots. Unleash your inner strategist and transform untamed wilds into a flourishing empire. Embark on your journey in Nova Lands today!


What we like:
  • Engaging base-building and automation
  • Diverse biomes with unique challenges
  • Customizable helper bot AI adds depth
  • Satisfying progression and skill tree
  • Charming pixel art and soundtrack
What could be improved:
  • Late-game content a bit slow

  • management
  • crafting
  • open-world
  • resource-management
  • automation
  • resource
  • pixel
  • survival
  • base-building
  • farming
  • simulation
  • 2d
  • boss-fight
  • boss
  • building

5

Dyson Sphere Program (2021)

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97
Review score
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early access PC Windows

In Dyson Sphere Program, you'll become a space engineer, building Dyson Spheres and managing interplanetary logistics. Explore the universe, gather resources, and design efficient production lines. Will you construct a galactic empire from scratch? Harness the power of the stars and find out!


What we like:
  • Perfect for automation game enthusiasts
  • Unique interplanetary logistics
  • High-quality factory building and logistics
  • Multiple end-game goals and achievements
  • Not reliant on Dyson Sphere completion
What could be improved:
  • Improvements needed in mid-to-late game
  • Challenging planet navigation in late game

  • automation
  • space
  • base-building
  • factory
  • resource-management
  • building
  • simulation
  • sandbox
  • management
  • sci-fi
  • city-building
  • open-world
  • empire

6

shapez (2020)

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94
Review score
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Linux Mac OS PC Windows

shapez is a game about building factories to automate the creation and processing of increasingly complex shapes across an infinitely expanding map.


  • automation
  • base-building
  • resource-management
  • sandbox
  • crafting
  • open-source
  • management
  • building
  • moddable
  • idler
  • abstract
  • open-world

7

Last Call BBS (2022)

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91
Review score
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Linux Mac OS PC Windows

Boot up your Z5 Powerlance and dial into Last Call BBS, the last game from Zachtronics! The Barkeep’s loaded up his retro computer with a full set of puzzle games for you to download and play. No need to worry about copy protection, they’re all fully cracked and ready to enjoy!


  • automation
  • solitaire
  • 1990s
  • logic
  • building
  • mech
  • sandbox
  • retro
  • pvp
  • pixel
  • music
  • puzzle

8

Industry Idle (2021)

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86
Review score
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IOS iPhone Android Mac OS PC Windows Linux

Industry Idle is an idle game that combines factory building, resource management and market trading. Design & build your base, expand & scale up your productions, improve & optimize your economy. Plus all the incremental game goodies: offline earnings, prestige to unlock more powerful upgrades.


  • hex
  • automation
  • transportation
  • grid
  • idler
  • clicker
  • base-building
  • economy
  • resource-management
  • city-building
  • capitalism
  • building
  • minimalist
  • simulation
  • procedural

9

sand: box (2023)

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98
Review score
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Android Linux PC Windows

"Falling sand" style particle sandbox, now with circuits!


  • electronic
  • automation
  • destruction
  • sandbox
  • relaxing
  • science
  • pixel
  • logic
  • education
  • physics
  • building
  • old-school
  • bossfight
  • stylized
  • simulation

10

Magic Research (2023)

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94
Review score
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Android IOS iPhone PC Windows

Magic Research is a text-based incremental game about Magic. You are the headmaster of a newly-created institution of Magic. Will you be able to lead your school to win the prestigious Tournament of Magic?


  • auto-battler
  • idler
  • automation
  • magic
  • text
  • resource-management
  • minimalist
  • fantasy
  • management

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