An Early Access code was provided, with many thanks to Game Drive NL.
shapez 2 has landed in early access, promising to take the formula of its predecessor and elevate it to new heights, literally. The first shapez game is all about building factories and automating the creation and processing of increasingly complex shapes across an infinite expanding map.
With shapez 2, the game has moved into 3D factory building, space trains, and an expanded set of tools and mechanics; the game offers an exciting playground for players who love to automate things on a large scale.
But how well does this early access version hold up, and what can you expect as you dive into this universe of shapes and logistics? Here’s my take on shapez 2 after spending some time with the game.
Shapez 2 Multi-Layer 3D Factories
The gameplay of shapez 2, like its predecessor, still revolves around processing shapes, but this time, the shapes come with new mechanics and properties that add many layers of complexity.
Your first goal is to get your operator certification, which acts as a tutorial stage and explains the gameplay well. The overall goal of the game is to feed a massive receptacle, “The Vortex,” which looks like a swirling giant hole in the middle of a single platform floating in space; you must feed it a continuous supply of geometric shapes extracted from deposits spread across the map.
Each shape is split into four quadrants, but initially, you only need to deliver a set of circles to the receptacle, which is easy. You begin by placing miners to extract the circles from their deposits, connect them to a few conveyor belts, and watch as the delivery count steadily increases.
As you progress in the game, the shapes will need to be chopped up into their component parts and then rotated, swapped, and stacked, and the challenge begins. You’ll be using stackers, swappers, 180 rotators and many other buildings to achieve the shapes the Vortex requires.
To progress to the higher difficulty levels, another goal in shapez 2 is to unlock the next major milestone. Furthermore, side objectives become available, and these involve making different shapes that, in turn, provide you with upgrades, such as faster conveyor belts.
Your factory may start small, but very soon, you will be building massive conveyor belts. This will lead you to create multiple interconnected production lines, reusing parts in different ways.
New Shape Mechanics
One of the most significant changes in shapez 2 is the introduction of multi-layer 3D factories. Unlike the original shapez, which kept things flat and straightforward, shapez 2 allows you to build vertically, layering up to three belts on top of each other.
This new dimension adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, literally and figuratively. The challenge now is not just about optimising your factory layout on a single flat space but also considering how different layers interact.
The 3D aspect feels intuitive, and the developers, tobspr Games, have done an excellent job of making it easy to navigate through the layers.
You can effortlessly zoom in and out or move up or down to monitor different levels, which is crucial as your factories grow in complexity and size. While this feature is promising, it’s clear that mastering it will take time to learn to balance efficiency and space management in a whole new way.
Research
The research system allows you to unlock new components, mechanics, and upgrades, which provides a rewarding sense of progress. As you advance, you’ll encounter new shape types that require increasingly sophisticated solutions and some thought on your part on how to proceed.
The lack of predetermined recipes means that you really have to think creatively about how to achieve your goals. The open-mindedness of not being tied to recipes is both a blessing and a curse. It will definitely provide some head-scratching as you work out how to build what you need.
It also offers freedom but can also feel overwhelming, especially to newcomers. However, for fans of the genre, this puzzle-like aspect of the game will be incredibly rewarding. A very handy feature added to the gameplay is the ability to take a blueprint of what you have constructed and save it to use in a later build; blueprints save a lot of time rebuilding areas in your factory once they grow in scale.
Space Trains
Another very cool addition is the space train system, which allows you to connect distant parts of your factory network. This feature is a game-changer, especially as your production lines start to stretch across vast distances. The trains are not just a cool visual addition but also a very practical solution to the logistics challenges that come with scaling up your operations.
I did find that managing train routes can feel a tad cumbersome, especially when your network grows complex. However, it’s easy to see the potential here, and with some more refinement, this feature could become one of the most satisfying aspects of the game.
Visuals and UI
Visually, shapez 2 is a massive step up from its predecessor. The new space setting is both immersive and functional, making it easier to differentiate between various elements of your factory. The animated open buildings are a particularly nice touch, as they allow you to see exactly what’s happening inside each part of your operation. This not only looks good, but it also provides you with valuable feedback as you optimise your production lines.
The UI has easy editing and undo/redo functions. It is very clean and easy to use, making it very user-friendly. It’s a great-looking game with a very effective UI, and I found the controls quite easy to use and extremely flexible. The new 3D elements have a huge learning curve. That said, these are minor issues and player-related. Once you get used to the new elements, you’ll be building bigger and bigger production lines.
My only complaint is that the game should have a speed control button. Once you have built all the conveyor belts, stackers, rotators, and more, you have to wait until all the shapes have gone into the Vortex, and that can take some time.
The game ran pretty well on my laptop; however, I did notice some framerate drops when the factory became large while panning the camera around, but it doesn’t interfere with the gameplay. I also tried the game on the Steam Deck; while it does run on the deck, the controls feel cumbersome, and I much prefer this type of game to play on a laptop since it has a bigger screen: I could see what I was doing much better.
Final Thoughts
In its current early access state, shapez 2 is already shaping up (yep, that’s a pun) to be more than a worthy successor to the original. The new features, especially the 3D factories and space trains, add a level of complexity and depth that should keep players engaged for hours. Personally, I love it.
For fans of factory-building games like Factorio, shapez 2 offers a fresh challenge with its expanded mechanics and new dimensionality. If you enjoyed the first game, or if you’re new to the series and looking for a satisfying automation puzzle, shapez 2 is definitely well worth diving into, even in its early access form. As the game continues to evolve, it’s exciting to think about where it might go next.
Further information: shapez 2 (base game) costs $24.99 / €23.99 / £19.99, or you could consider purchasing the Supporter Edition. The shapez 2 Supporter Edition (which includes the base game) is priced at $34.99 / €33.49 / £27.99. With the Supporter Edition, you’ll get the Rail Loop & Twister for your trains and 40 minutes of extra soundtrack.
Or, if you’d like to give the base game a go first, you’ll be able to pick up the Supporter Edition Upgrade DLC at any time. Furthermore, the game and DLC will have a 10% discount for the first two weeks after the Early Access launch.
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