Choose Automation Empire
Choose Automation Empire if it matches what drew you to this matchup. 1,482 Steam reviews back the pick.
Automation Empire vs ReFactory
Automation Empire and ReFactory both land in Strategy, Indie, Simulation on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both share Strategy, Indie, Simulation on Steam. Automation Empire (2019) is 3 years older than ReFactory (2022). ReFactory scores higher on Steam reviews (72.5% positive) than Automation Empire (65.1% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose ReFactory
Choose ReFactory if you want a Casual experience. On Steam, it's currently about 60% cheaper on the Steam Store. ReFactory launched in 2022.
Both Automation Empire and ReFactory sit in Strategy, Indie, and Simulation on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Automation Empire |  ReFactory | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2019 | 2022 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Simulation | Strategy, Indie, Simulation, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Deck Verified |
| Price | 29.99 USD | 11.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 65.1% positive (1,482 reviews) | 72.5% positive (40 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | DOG HOGGLER | AIVIK LLC |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie, Simulation on Steam.
- Automation Empire (2019) is 3 years older than ReFactory (2022).
- ReFactory scores higher on Steam reviews (72.5% positive) than Automation Empire (65.1% positive).
- ReFactory is currently ~60% cheaper on Steam than Automation Empire (11.99 USD vs. 29.99 USD).
- Steam Deck: Automation Empire is Deck Playable, ReFactory is Deck Verified.
Automation Empire vs ReFactory — FAQ
- Should I play Automation Empire or ReFactory first?
- If you want chronology, Automation Empire (2019) came out before ReFactory (2022). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Automation Empire and ReFactory similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, Indie, Simulation on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.