If you're asking, "Isn't Techtonica just a Satisfactory Clone?" the answer is no. It's 3D automation in a fixed world much like Satisfactory, but plays quite differently.

It's closer to a 3D factorio, given how the automation process works with belts and inserters, finite resources (sort of), as well as everything aligning with a grid. If you're more familiar with Dyson Sphere Program, it's much more comparible to that, given how it's belts work in a 3D space and it's logistic choice of monorails is closer to DSP's interstellar logistics than Factorio or Satisfactory trains.

A nice side note, some of the production chains includes organic products, something usually seen in modded Factorio.

What sets Techtonica apart is it's focus on narrative and exploration. Your research tree is more strongly tied with objectives, not just producing more complex products. Those familiar with games like Subnauctica can probably relate to these titles more, but less so on the survival side and more on the exploration.

I say less on the survival as there is no hunger meter or anything like that. There isn't even health or defencive mechanics as there are no hostiles.

Even though the world generation is fixed, the terrain is subject to terraforming which is a big key to Techtonica's exploration.

One feature I have come to appreciate a lot with Techtonica is it's controller support. My preference for these games is always keyboard and mouse, but there has been many situations in accessibility issues that I've had in which having this genre available on a controller has been fantastic. I have not played this on a Steam Deck, but considering this title is available on Xbox consoles I suspect this is a definite consideration.

If you're like me and love the ever growing factory genre, Techtonica while early in it's early access phase is showing a lot of promise and there is a lot of communication from the developers in both being open in their roadmap and responsive in the game's feedback.

If you're looking for an automation game or factory builder with something a little different, Techtonica is worth a shot.

If you're looking for something with controller support, then this is a very high recommendation.

This review was written in the context of most of my playtime being shortly after the inital EA release.