Alchemy Factory

 
Alchemy Factory is a medieval automation simulator that asks a simple question: “What if Factorio had magic potions instead of iron plates?” Released into Early Access on December 12, 2025, by developer D5 Copperhead and publisher Gamirror Games, it combines the satisfying logistical puzzle of building conveyor belts with the cozy appeal of running a fantasy shop. While it successfully scratches the “just one more optimization” itch, the game currently suffers from pacing issues and a “sweatshop” vibe that clashes with its magical aesthetic.
Belts, Brews, and Business: Core Gameplay

The Automation Loop: The core of the game is logistical engineering. You harvest raw herbs and minerals, then construct intricate networks of crushers, mixers, and conveyor belts to process them into valuable goods. Unlike abstract factory games, every machine has a magical, steampunk flair—think brass gears powered by arcane crystals.
The Shopkeeping Twist: Most factory games void resources into a bottomless pit for points. In Alchemy Factory, you are a shopkeeper. You must physically stock shelves and sell your automated products to NPCs. The money you earn is reinvested directly into buying better machines and expanding your factory floor, giving the industrial grind a tangible purpose.
Co-op Multiplayer: The game shines in multiplayer. One player can manage the storefront, haggling with customers and managing quests, while the other descends into the basement to spaghetti-code a nightmare of pipes and belts. It creates a chaotic but fun division of labor.
Magical “Tech Tree”: Progression is tied to discovering new alchemical recipes. You start with simple healing potions but eventually unlock complex transmutation circles that can turn lead into gold—if you can figure out the logistical nightmare required to fuel them.

How It Stacks Up
Alchemy Factory sits in a unique niche between cozy sims and hardcore automation.



Game
Key Difference




Potion Craft
Potion Craft is a manual, tactile puzzle game about the art of brewing. Alchemy Factory is about the industry of brewing, focusing on mass production rather than individual craftsmanship.


Satisfactory
Satisfactory is a first-person shooter/factory hybrid with vast exploration. Alchemy Factory is a top-down management game that is smaller in scale but adds an economic “tycoon” layer via the shop.


Factorio
Factorio is about defense and survival against aliens. Alchemy Factory has no combat threats; the “enemy” is your own bad planning and the impatience of customers.



Key Details

Developer: D5 Copperhead.
Publisher: Gamirror Games.
Platforms: PC (Steam).
Release Date: December 12, 2025 (Early Access).
Genre: Simulation / Strategy / Automation.
Vibe: Medieval Industrial Revolution.

Who It’s For

Must-play for fans of Factorio or Shapez who want a lower-stress environment. The lack of enemy attacks lets you focus purely on the joy of optimization.
Perfect for co-op duos. If you have a friend who loves organizing spreadsheets and another who loves making money, you will be unstoppable.
Skip if you want a cozy “witchy” vibe. Despite the theme, this is a game about industrial efficiency. It feels more like running a medieval Amazon warehouse than a quaint cottage apothecary.

Why It Works
It works because it gives automation a face. In other games, you send 10,000 circuits to a rocket and they disappear. Here, you see a knight walk into your shop, buy the Potion of Strength you spent three hours automating, and walk out happy. That direct feedback loop—converting logistical headaches into cold, hard gold—is incredibly satisfying, even if the “magic” feels a bit mechanical.