Completely agree. It's utterly addictive, and the further you get, more and more fun tech gets unlocked. Been playing it with some friends, and we're all hooked.
I always describe satisfactory as subnautica but about automating machinery like a tycoon game but with more reminiscent of portal.
Needless to say its really fun!
I've played a bit of Factorio and enjoyed it a little too much, but watching some video clips of Satisfactory a couple of years ago really didn't grab me. Do you think it's likely that either watching the game have a very poor sense of what it's like (for someone already familiar with Factorio), or that the game has gotten a whole heap better over the last 2ish years?
Hmmmm, good question, bit of both, it has changed a lot, but there is also heavy focus on the building mechanics also if that's your thing, rather than just straight up automation. So like you can make some very very impressive structures in the game. Saying that, you can mostly ignore the building for pretty and just go full on factory just grow mode.
I guess also depends how much you like/are comfortable with the fps view point vs top down? If you like automation and or crafting games, def worth giving it Whirl IMHO!