Currently, Factorio has a user rating of over 97%. This puts it above well-known titles such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on Steam.
What makes this game so popular is the hours that you can sink into it. You’ll stay busy building factories and keeping them safe from enemies.
The game also has a complexity to it that can keep seasoned gamers on their toes. If that’s not your thing, there are ways that you can make it easier for you.
Check out these Factorio game tips to learn a few strategies that will help you become an expert in no time.
The Wiki Is Your Friend
Most games have a Wiki of some kind floating around out there, and Factorio is no exception. It’s full of tips that can help you if you get stuck.
It has a list of recipes that you can pull from. If you need help finding the materials to prepare the recipes, the Wiki can assist you with that, too.
Like most Wikis, the one for Factorio is pretty organized. You can sort the info based on whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced player.
Make Use of the Alt Key
Any Factorio guide you read will tell you to make the most out of the alt key. It’s going to be your bread and butter while you’re still trying to figure out how everything in the game works and after.
It creates an overlay that will display your products and give you a rundown of all the materials you need. This feature will help you stay organized and keep your factory productive.
Turn on Peaceful Mode
Factorio isn’t just a building simulator. The game throws combat your way as well in the form of enemies called Biters. They’re attracted to the amount of pollution your factory gives off.
That means as your factory grows, the Biters population grows with it. It won’t be long before you’re completely swarmed.
Managing a large number of enemies, along with trying to grasp the basics of the game, can be a bit overwhelming to beginners. That’s where peaceful mode comes in.
The Biters population will still grow, but they won’t actively attack your factory unless you attack them first.
Enable the Research Queue
As you can probably tell, half the battle with Factorio is keeping tabs on everything going on. If you lose track of what your factory is up to or you allow enemies to build up, you can quickly become overrun.
The best way to prepare ahead of time is to go into the game settings and enable the research queue. Once you do, you’ll be able to queue up your building projects.
When one project finishes developing, the next one in the list will begin automatically. That will free you up to manage enemies before they turn into a hoard.
Stay Ahead of the Game
No matter what type of Factorio server hosting you choose, one thing is true. You’ll have an unlimited amount of space to build your factory. You don’t have to cram everything together.
If you do, you won’t have enough room later when it comes time to expand on your existing structures. Go ahead and plan for your add-ons ahead of time.
On top of running your factory, you’re also trying to build a rocket so you can escape the planet you’re on. It doesn’t matter how you go about this secondary goal as long as you start on it as soon as the game begins.
Build Your Pipes Underground
As you advance your factory, there will come a time when you have the opportunity to build pipe and belt systems to transport items around your massive structure.
If you build your pipes above ground, it will make it harder for the Biters to get to your factory, but it will also make it difficult for you to navigate around. Most would argue that having maneuverability is worth having to fend off a few enemies.
Practice Proper Power Management
Like in real life, your factory will need to have power in order to function. With this being said, Factorio has a ton of renewable and non-renewable energy sources that you can take advantage of.
As a beginner, it might be a bit difficult for you to keep track of them all. Once again, it’s a good idea to go to the Wiki for gaming strategies. It will tell you all about the different energy types and what they can do for your factory.
Build a Strong Layer of Defense
The last tip we have for you is to not skimp on your defense. You don’t want your hard work to fall victim to the Biters.
Make sure to arm your factory with turrets. When lasers become available, swap the turrets out for those.
Don’t be afraid to attack the source of your enemy as well. Blast away the Biter nests before they have the chance to overwhelm you.
Factorio Game Tips to Live By
The Factorio game is popular for a reason. Between crafting and fighting back enemies, players never run out of stuff to do.
The game can be a bit daunting if you’re a beginner. Playing takes more multitasking than some are prepared for.
We hope that you’re able to use this guide to power your way through. For more tips that will help you master your favorite titles, visit the Gaming section of our blog.
