23 people found this review helpful
2 people found this review funny
Recommended
0.0 hrs last two weeks / 10.5 hrs on record
Posted: Mar 8 @ 4:16am
Product received for free

Beltmatic combines two of my kinks – Factory games and numbers. It’s Shapez, with numbers, an accountant’s wet dream.

📝 Main Pros, Cons, and Suggestions, followed by the Review:

🟩 Pros:

+ Belt priorities are an amazing feature
+ Relaxing music complements the gameplay
+ Seamless belt construction as bridges are created automatically
+ The undo feature (Ctrl + Z) is a lifesaver, allowing for quick corrections
+ Plenty of nodes are available, saving time on searching for what you need
+ Ability to scroll through previously copied items is an amazing QOL feature
+ Functions like copy, paste, cut, clear, and demolish make expansion quick and easy
+ Design preview showing interactions with existing factory elements before placement helps prevent design mishaps

🟥 Cons:

- Progression can feel slow
- I found that once I had a working formula, the game became a copy + paste simulator rather than a problem solver

🏷️ Suggestions:

~ Steam Workshop support
~ A visible clipboard to view copied elements
~ Sandbox mode allowing for experimentation
~ Longer bridges (e.g. two tile design) to improve aesthetics
~ Introduce area markers or throughput display (numbers per second)
~ A congestion overlay would make it easier to spot production bottlenecks
~ Blueprint mode allowing to plan and save complex designs for reuse (solo, or with others)
~ Floating-point number operations would add complexity and provide more challenge for advanced setups
~ Allowing belts to be dragged and pinned rather than placed one segment at a time would greatly improve the expansion process

Shapez, with Numbers

Beltmatic is a factory simulator, delivering a satisfying mix of automation and arithmetic. Combining automation and number crunching isn’t a formula I’d have ever expected, but here we are – It’s basically Shapez, although much less complex. Setting up belt networks and factories to process numbers might sound dry on paper, but the simplicity makes it easy to lose hours adjusting layouts and optimising production.

Expanding factories is quick and easy thanks to copy and paste functions, and the ability to preview designs before placing (and undo them after) saves a lot of frustration. That said, progression can feel slow, and once I settled on a formula Beltmatic lost most of its charm. A blueprint system or sandbox mode or would allow for greater experimentation, and a visible clipboard would help manage multiple copied designs more effectively.

While I do have a large list of suggestions, as it is, Beltmatic provides an addictive automation experience for fans of the genre. It’s doesn’t demand too much, making it easy to pick up for short sessions or zone out with for hours. The user-friendly features make it a standout title for those looking to indulge their inner engineer without the complexities and headaches others in the genre may bring.

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2 Comments
Warriot Mar 9 @ 5:07am 
Pretty liked Shapez, and see multiples youtube video of this game, instant wishlist :)