The Artifactory (v1.0.43)

A magical production line becomes a full-blown disaster zone in this frantic local co-op game about crafting valuable loot under impossible working conditions. The Artifactory casts one to four players as underqualified factory staff trying to turn incoming materials into potions, weapons, enchanted equipment, and other fantasy goods before each order ships. Its mood is cartoonishly chaotic rather than punishingly grim, with every successful delivery feeling like a minor miracle and every failure usually producing a funny story. Expect the kind of couch-co-op tension where a teammate is desperately fixing a machine while someone else accidentally sends the ingredients into lava.

Work begins by grabbing supplies from conveyors and carrying them to the correct stations, where recipes require players to process, combine, and upgrade materials into finished products. Orders demand speed, but the real challenge comes from organising the floor, communicating priorities, and adapting when machinery breaks down or the route across the factory suddenly changes. Jammed belts, damaged power systems, supernatural interruptions, unstable portals, and shifting platforms force constant improvisation, so simply knowing a recipe is rarely enough. Solo play remains available, though the design clearly shines with a group sharing tasks, shouting instructions, and recovering from each other’s mistakes.

Unlike more structured cooking games, The Artifactory builds its mayhem around experimentation: unusual materials can produce surprising results, encouraging players to test combinations while racing against the clock. The factory is not merely a backdrop but an active obstacle, with each stage introducing fresh mechanical problems that reshape how players move items and divide responsibilities. Its approachable controls and playful presentation make it easy for newcomers to join, while escalating hazards give experienced co-op groups plenty to master. Fans of Overcooked’s escalating workplace panic or Moving Out’s slapstick teamwork should find a similarly energetic party game here, especially if they enjoy crafting systems alongside the chaos.