Choose Kenshi
Choose Kenshi if you want an Action and RPG experience. 46,830 Steam reviews back the pick.
Kenshi vs ReFactory
Kenshi 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. Kenshi (2018) is 4 years older than ReFactory (2022). Kenshi scores higher on Steam reviews (95.1% positive) than ReFactory (72.5% 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 Kenshi 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
 Kenshi |  ReFactory | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2018 | 2022 |
| Genres | Action, Strategy, Indie, Simulation, RPG | Strategy, Indie, Simulation, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Deck Verified |
| Price | 29.99 USD | 11.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 95.1% positive (46,830 reviews) | 72.5% positive (40 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Lo-Fi Games | AIVIK LLC |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie, Simulation on Steam.
- Kenshi (2018) is 4 years older than ReFactory (2022).
- Kenshi scores higher on Steam reviews (95.1% positive) than ReFactory (72.5% positive).
- ReFactory is currently ~60% cheaper on Steam than Kenshi (11.99 USD vs. 29.99 USD).
- Steam Deck: Kenshi is Deck Playable, ReFactory is Deck Verified.
Kenshi vs ReFactory — FAQ
- Should I play Kenshi or ReFactory first?
- If you want chronology, Kenshi (2018) 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 Kenshi 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.