Nova | Lands

This constant push-and-pull prevents the "turtling" that plagues other factory sims. Just as you feel your base is getting crowded, the game opens a new portal, revealing a new biome with a new resource that requires a completely new logistical chain. Combat is simple but satisfying. You wield a gun, a sword, and eventually grenades. However, the combat loop is unique because of the Hex mechanic .

Players who want infinite scaling, hardcore survival mechanics (no hunger/thirst), or PvP. The Bottom Line Nova Lands doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it replaces the wheel with a swarm of adorable robots that do the work for you. It is a joyful, low-stress, high-reward experience that proves automation games don't need to feel like a second job.

Welcome to the Nova Lands.

Unlike the sprawling, infinite maps of Factorio , Nova Lands is structured around a hub-and-spoke model. You begin on a central "Home Island." From there, you unlock portals to different biomes: a volcanic foundry, a frozen tundra, a radioactive wasteland, and more. Each island is a self-contained puzzle, offering unique resources and enemy types that must be fed back into your main production line. The most significant innovation Nova Lands brings to the genre is its Droid system .

You cannot unlock better technology just by sitting at your base. To get iron, you must explore the Forest Island. To get sulfur, you must brave the Swamp. To unlock droids that fight for you, you must defeat the first boss. Nova Lands

In the crowded world of automation and survival-crafting games, two titles often sit at the top of the throne: Factorio for its obsessive logistical depth, and Forager for its charming, zelda-like sense of discovery. In 2023, developer BEHEMUTT asked a compelling question: What if you took the conveyor belts of the former and the chill, island-exploring vibes of the latter?

Nova Lands is designed for players who love the idea of automation but are intimidated by the complexity of the genre’s titans. It respects your time. A full playthrough takes roughly 15-20 hours, compared to the 100+ hours of its rivals. You wield a gun, a sword, and eventually grenades

PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Fans of Forager , Stardew Valley players who want more machines, and Factorio veterans looking for a relaxing weekend vacation. The Bottom Line Nova Lands doesn't try to reinvent the wheel

It is also visually stunning. The pixel-art aesthetic is vibrant, the lighting effects are gorgeous, and the sound design—specifically the hum of a hundred droids working in harmony—is ASMR for engineers. Rating: 8.5/10