When comparing Tropico 5 vs Factorio, the Slant community recommends Factorio for most people. In the question“What are the best Simulation games on Steam?” Factorio is ranked 4th while Tropico 5 is ranked 15th. The most important reason people chose Factorio is:
With proper planning, users can "code" together very precise ways to create all the things needed for the game, some in very inventive ways that can differ quite a bit. This allows for tons of replayability.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Allows for choice in play
There is a mission mode (which is great for those that want to learn the ins and outs of the game through progression) and a sandbox mode (which is more like a city builder where it is up to you how to create your civilization). This makes for a good choice of different play depending on what the user wants at the time. There is also a multiplayer mode that works through competition (who can export more cigars, build a bigger plantation, etc.) that can extend the endgame content when the player feels they have experienced all the single player has to offer.
Pro Endless solutions
With proper planning, users can "code" together very precise ways to create all the things needed for the game, some in very inventive ways that can differ quite a bit. This allows for tons of replayability.
Pro Under active development
The game is still in Alpha which means endless future possibilities.
Pro Massive and infinite procedurally generated world
The playing world is as large as you want to explore, it automatically generates it as you explore more areas.
Pro Cooperative or PvP building
Factorio also supports multiplayer, allowing many players to cooperate and assist each other, or work against each other in PvP. By default, multiplayer games run the CO-OP freeplay scenario where all players work together to launch a rocket with a satellite into space.
Pro Charming old school graphics
While not the most technically advanced graphics the look of the game is much like a game from the 90s but seeing it in action when an assembly line starts moving there is an impressiveness to it that suits the game quite well.
Cons
Con Poor representation of changing times
The art in the game does not represent different time periods very well. The game starts out in the early 20th century and eventually builds up to the modern era. It does not matter what time period the player is in, little in the design of the games is representative through graphics changes.
Con Can become rather repetitive
There's really little payoff for being able to build really long chains of automation, it usually results in being able to open a new tech tree which allows the player to continue the process of building automation chains ad infinitum, which, admittedly can become rather boring after a while.
Con Still in Early Access
The game is still in Early Access which means there will be bugs as well as missing features.