Choose Factorio
Choose Factorio if you want a Strategy and Indie 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 plexum
Factorio and plexum both land in Simulation, Casual 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 Simulation, Casual on Steam. Factorio (2020) is 6 years older than plexum (2026). plexum is currently ~64% cheaper on Steam than Factorio (12.59 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 plexum
Choose plexum if you want an Adventure and Early Access game with Mouse Only Option and #category_playable_at_your_own_pace. On Steam, it's currently about 64% cheaper on the Steam Store. plexum launched in 2026.
Both Factorio and plexum sit in Simulation and Casual on Steam and both list Playable without Timed Input and Save Anytime, 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 |  plexum | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2020 | 2026 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Simulation, Casual | Adventure, Simulation, Casual, Early Access |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 35.00 USD | 12.59 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. | Studio Jephinca |
Side by side
- Both share Simulation, Casual on Steam.
- Factorio (2020) is 6 years older than plexum (2026).
- plexum is currently ~64% cheaper on Steam than Factorio (12.59 USD vs. 35.00 USD).
- Factorio has co-op; plexum does not.
- Factorio is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; plexum has no Deck rating yet.
Factorio vs plexum — FAQ
- Should I play Factorio or plexum first?
- If you want chronology, Factorio (2020) came out before plexum (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 Factorio and plexum similar?
- They overlap on Simulation, Casual 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 plexum have multiplayer like Factorio?
- No. Factorio supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op), while plexum is listed as single-player only.
- Does Factorio run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Factorio is rated Deck Verified by Valve. plexum doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.