Choose Automation Empire
Choose Automation Empire if you want a Simulation experience. 1,482 Steam reviews back the pick.
Automation Empire vs Factory on a Train
Automation Empire and Factory on a Train both land in Strategy, Indie 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 on Steam. Automation Empire (2019) is 7 years older than Factory on a Train (2026). Automation Empire is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Factory on a Train has no Deck rating yet. 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 Factory on a Train
Choose Factory on a Train if you want a Casual game with Camera Comfort, Custom Volume Controls, and Playable without Timed Input. On Steam, it's the newer release (2026) and ships with the modern feature baseline. Factory on a Train launched in 2026.
Both Automation Empire and Factory on a Train sit in Strategy and Indie 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 |  Factory on a Train | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2019 | 2026 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Simulation | Strategy, Indie, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 29.99 USD | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 65.1% positive (1,482 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | DOG HOGGLER | bahrdev |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie on Steam.
- Automation Empire (2019) is 7 years older than Factory on a Train (2026).
- Automation Empire is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Factory on a Train has no Deck rating yet.
Automation Empire vs Factory on a Train — FAQ
- Should I play Automation Empire or Factory on a Train first?
- If you want chronology, Automation Empire (2019) came out before Factory on a Train (2026). 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 Factory on a Train similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, Indie 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.
- Does Automation Empire run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Automation Empire is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Factory on a Train doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.