“Some people like it, some people are annoyed by it”: Substructure may look like Factorio, but it changes the automation game in some fundamental ways
Substructure is an automation and factory-building game that draws inspiration from Factorio but introduces several significant mechanical differences. In the game, players begin by landing on the surface of an alien world where they must gather resources and construct sprawling factories using available tools and technology trees to create increasingly complex machines and production systems.
A key differentiator from Factorio is the game’s vertical dimension of exploration and gameplay. Rather than remaining on the surface, players can construct specialized drilling equipment and elevator systems to descend below the alien topsoil into underground caverns and deeper layers. This vertical expansion adds considerable depth to both resource gathering and factory design beyond traditional horizontal factory layouts that define most automation games.
The article’s title indicates that these design choices have polarized players. While some appreciate the innovative mechanical differences and expanded exploration possibilities, others find these departures from the established automation game formula contentious or frustrating. This divided reception suggests that Substructure deliberately takes risks in how it approaches the automation genre, attempting to evolve the formula rather than simply iterate on established conventions. The game retains the core appeal of automation titles—strategic resource management, technological progression, and increasingly complex production chains—while expanding into new gameplay dimensions that fundamentally change how players interact with their factories.