shapez.io: a factory of colors and shapes

[Ted]

shapez.io is a game about building factories to automate the creation and processing of increasingly complex shapes across an infinitely expanding map.

Steam | Free In-Browser Demo | GitHub

 

[Ted]

This is Factorio but without biters and resource management.

Just chill and build.

I like it very much, and you might like it too.

 

[Ted]

I've reached level 17.

The dilemma between achieving the next level or working towards an upgrade continues to be a nice motivator.

But usually I'm just piddling around, refactoring my existing layouts by replacing the old with the new and trying to balance throughput.

I'm finding that I repurpose existing structures on occasion, which is something I wouldn't think of doing in Factorio.

Every little bit helps for the latter, but in this game the need for certain shapes ramps up and then dies out.

 

[Yaara]

I might have just played the in-browser demo up to level 10. Whoops.

Definitely the same kind of addiction Factorio builds. I wish I could see the whole research tree though - it could really help for future planning, rather than making what I need in the moment and then just tearing it down.

 

[Ted]

I might have just played the in-browser demo up to level 10. Whoops.

Ha ha; well done!

The rewards for the next two levels are really nice; keep going!

I wish I could see the whole research tree though - it could really help for future planning, rather than making what I need in the moment and then just tearing it down.

I agree.

I'm embracing the surprise element for now, but I plan on looking things up for a second run.

In the meantime, good thing structures are free!

 

[Ted]

Doing a second run is a joy.

The milestones go by quickly now that I have some experience.

Tinkering with layout and ratios continues to be a lot of fun.

Also, a big update will release this Friday.
* Rebalancing
* Vastly improved performance
* More Upgrade Levels (standalone only)
* Fixed stacking and cutter algorithm
* Throughput Goals
* Precision issues
* Better Map Overview
* Increased tunnel range
* New chained miners
* Naming savegames
* Music & Sound controls
* Extended soundtrack (standalone only)
* Additional content that unlocks after level 20 (but is spoiler'd so I didn't look)

Standalone price will increase from $4 to $5.

 

[MrBlarney]

Welp, I picked this up shortly before the Wires update and intended to just play a little bit as a breather from my endless Hades runs. And then it was four hours later. This is a very dangerous game with respect to time suddenly disappearing! My shape factories are terrible, cramped, and inefficient, and I just got to a level with a throughput goal instead of an absolute production goal. So that's definitely gonna be a challenge.

 

[Ted]

I started a fresh save file for the Wires update.

The QoL improvements are really nice, especially with the belt planner* feeling more intuitive; I use it all the time now.

I'm feeling the impact of the rebalanced belt speed because I've been leaning towards some long-haul transport lately and they take some time to start delivering.

This is a very dangerous game with respect to time suddenly disappearing!

It really lends itself to a lot of happy tinkering.

 

[MrBlarney]

Apparently, you're allowed to build on top of resource reservoirs with non-extractor parts without penalty. I've been building around them all this time, which has definitely made making space more difficult! Good thing I named my first save "Slapdash", or I might have more remorse about just restarting from scratch. (Though it's more likely that I'll just stick through with my newfound knowledge just to see all of the levels.)

 

[Ted]

I've been building around them all this time

Oh wow; unintended hard mode!

Speaking of resource patches, I just noticed that pressing Q while hovering over a patch auto-selects the extractor; handy!

(Though it's more likely that I'll just stick through with my newfound knowledge just to see all of the levels.)

Sounds like a good approach to me.