Alchemy Factory

I was looking for a video game to dive into feet first, and building games often fill that need for me. I played Alchemy Factory for an absurd (for a parent of young kids) amount of hours over two weeks, and found it incredibly satisfying.

Steam lists Alchemy Factory as a strategy game, which is sort of true. I found it to be more of a meditative experience at the lower levels, as I created structures to complete alchemical creations. I also had to put the game down and restart it towards the end, before realizing that I just did not enjoy the end game at all. Eventually the complexity of this game just spirals until it feels like work, as you need to build unpleasantly large networks to complete recipes. Although the beginning was lovely and gave the frequent, undeserved feelings of accomplishment I seek for in my video games, the later elements of the game gave me all the joy I get from doing my taxes.

If you enjoy base building games, this one is worth a shot up until technology level 6 or so. It’s a good game, 7 out of 10. This rating comes while the game is technically still in Early Access, although it felt complete and polished. I doubt any changes will come that would affect my rating one way or another.