For much of its early access development, Shapez 2 was an interesting alternative to the tentpole automation sims like Factorio and Satisfactory. A more streamlined affair that dispensed with many of the supplementary systems seen in those aforementioned games, Shapez 2 adopted a more puzzle-centric approach to assembly-line construction.
That’s still very much the case. But with Shapez 2’s recent departure from Steam early access, developer tobspr games has also aligned the game more closely to those factory building titans. This isn’t just a ‘game is finished’ release,” writes tobspr. “With this update, we’re introducing a huge amount of new content and improvements on top, for new and existing players.”
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As for that existing experience, Shapez excels in tickling that part of the brain that loves to set things up and watch them run: looping conveyor belts shuttling LEGO-like studs in hypnotic formation. The lack of survival mechanics or hostiles to defend your factory on means you can focus purely on the construction side of things, refining your factory designs to their cleanest, most efficient forms.
In addition to manufacture mode, the 1.0 version adds some extra challenges to classic mode, as well as visual improvements and two new shapes to manufacture—X and Y. A pedant might argue those are letters rather than shapes, but I suppose there are only so many ways you can draw a triangle or an oblong.
The update also reworks the tutorial, adds achievements, and introduces modding support. If you’re intrigued by Shapez 2 but are yet to pick it up, tobspr’s factory sim is currently on a 20% launch discount. That means you can currently grab it for $24 (£20). The discount ends on May 7.
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