Choose Factorio
Choose Factorio if you want a Simulation and Casual game with Multi-player, Online Co-op, and LAN Co-op. On Steam, it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. 114,794 Steam reviews back the pick.
Factorio vs Ascend Factory
Factorio and Ascend Factory 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. Factorio (2020) is 4 years older than Ascend Factory (2024). Ascend Factory is currently ~91% cheaper on Steam than Factorio (2.99 USD vs. 35.00 USD). 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 Ascend Factory
Choose Ascend Factory if it's currently about 91% cheaper on the Steam Store. Ascend Factory launched in 2024.
Both Factorio and Ascend Factory 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
 Factorio |  Ascend Factory | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2020 | 2024 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Simulation, Casual | Strategy, Indie |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 35.00 USD | 2.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 98.3% positive (114,794 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | Wube Software LTD. | Matlyce Studio |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie on Steam.
- Factorio (2020) is 4 years older than Ascend Factory (2024).
- Ascend Factory is currently ~91% cheaper on Steam than Factorio (2.99 USD vs. 35.00 USD).
- Factorio has co-op; Ascend Factory does not.
- Factorio is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Ascend Factory has no Deck rating yet.
Factorio vs Ascend Factory — FAQ
- Should I play Factorio or Ascend Factory first?
- If you want chronology, Factorio (2020) came out before Ascend Factory (2024). 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 Factorio and Ascend Factory 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 Ascend Factory have multiplayer like Factorio?
- No. Factorio supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op), while Ascend Factory is listed as single-player only.
- Does Factorio run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Factorio is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Ascend Factory doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.