Steam’s mechanical new puzzle game has taken over my brain

The article discusses Kaizen: A Factory Story, a new puzzle game on Steam that has captivated the author's attention. The game is set in 1980s Japan and challenges players to optimize product assembly lines, like building camcorders and binoculars, by placing and programming various mechanical components. The author describes the game as an "open-ended puzzle automation game" that fully engages the player's brain until a solution is found. The process of constructing viable builds and seeing the final product in action provides a sense of satisfaction and euphoria. The article highlights the game's ability to turn a mechanical process into a satisfying puzzle, drawing comparisons to classic engineering games. The author's struggle to solve a challenging tape deck integration problem is used to illustrate the depth and complexity of the puzzles, as well as the author's obsession with finding the optimal solution, even while socializing with friends. The article emphasizes the game's celebration of human ingenuity and the invisible work of engineers in the age of mass production.