What I’m looking for can really be described as one of the following:

  • Opus Magnum but the reason to optimize is so that I save resources and generate resources faster?
  • Factorio but I can’t expand infinitely and have to instead make the factory more efficient rather than just growing exponentially?
  • Compact Claustrophobia but without an infinite number of compact machines?
  • Last Clockwinder but with a much greater focus on planning and less on execution?
  • Mcduckdeluxe@reddthat.com
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    1 year ago

    Check out SpaceChem, matches most of your bullet points. It’s a level-based puzzle game like Opus Magnum though.

    • simple@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      I second this, it’s what OP is asking for. Word of warning though: this game is hard as hell. It reached a point where I’d spend 2 hours on a level, realize I messed up and can’t salvage this, and gave up. I never got really far.

      • Mcduckdeluxe@reddthat.com
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        1 year ago

        I’ve played it two or three times, each time making it a bit farther. I think I made it about halfway at best.

    • WillRegex@lemm.eeOP
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      1 year ago

      I thought SpaceChem uses the same mechanic as Opus Magnum where the benefit of optimization is just the player’s place on the histogram. I’m looking for more interaction between machines than that.