Guess we’re making shapez now, as factory builder/automation game Shapez 2 now has a release date for its 1.0 release.
Shapez 2 will leave Early Access on April 23 after two years in Early Access. A little later than the previously teased November 2025 release window.
Shapez 2 1.0 will feature Manufacture Mode. This is an optional, more advanced mode that initially seemed to look like how the original Shapez play out in that you’re not locked into modular building. Rather, it’s a different philosophy altogether in that it plays more like regular factory building games where you’re expected to continue to grow the factory with the previously placed building remain permanently useful. These are the players who love maximising throughput.
In contrast, the “Classic” Shapez 2 gameplay is catered more to players who approach factory building as a puzzle. A lot of side tasks in Shapez 2 are there to challenge you in creating a specific production line, but after that task is cleared, it serves no purpose and you can safely delete the spaghetti mess.
Manufacture Mode in Shapez 2 won’t just have you keep constructing layers upon layers of shapes. Intead, you will be transporting specific shapes into Trade Stations (as opposed to the Vortex in the center in Classic Mode). Trade Stations requires a specific shape input and, like a typical factory game, produces a specific output which you then need to shape up to create new shapes for the next tier of Trade Stations.
The 1.0 launch of Shapez 2 will also include modding tools and Steam Workshop support, as well as refined visuals that make it so that you can intuitively tell what each machine does to a shape.
Shapez 2 was already looking really solid back when it launch in Early Access, but you can never underestimate the amount of time required to properly polish a good game into a potentially great one. Fans of factory building and automation should check this out.
Shapez 2 leaves Early Access and launch version 1.0 on April 23. The game is currently available in Early Access on PC (Steam).