We Love It's Guide to…
As a rookie at a 1980s Japanese factory, build 2D production lines, then refine them for speed, space, or cost.
Released 14 Jul 2025
Build 2D Production Lines
Cut, Drill, Weld Parts
Optimize Time, Cost, Space
Kaizen is an open-ended puzzle automation game from the original Zachtronics team, set in 1980s Japan. Design, build, and optimize production lines to create iconic products, like calculators, camcorders, and arcade machines.
Developed by Coincidence · Published by Klei Publishing
In 1986, you play David Sugimoto, an American arriving in Japan for a job at Matsuzawa Manufacturing. Instead of joining the international sales team, you are assigned to design automated production lines at one of the company’s factories.
Each puzzle asks you to make a specific product by moving and assembling parts on a two-dimensional grid. Arrange tools such as arms, belts, welders, cutters, and drills, then run the line to see how its instructions handle the parts.
A working design lets you advance, but you can revisit puzzles to reduce production time, workspace area, or cost and compare your results with other players’ scores. The game also includes a pachinko-themed solitaire game between factory work.
Many reviewers enjoy refining their production lines after finding a workable solution, with time, area, and cost targets giving each puzzle room for experimentation. Players also often describe the puzzles as approachable while still offering a challenge in optimization, and praise the 1980s Japanese setting, presentation, and quality-of-life tools for inspecting and adjusting running designs.
The year is 1986 and you are David Sugimoto, born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. Thanks to a family friend, you’re headed to Japan for your very first job at Matsuzawa Manufacturing.
Japan’s economy is booming. They’re looking for smart, young, motivated business professionals just like you. You’re going to go get to live that 80s executive life and jet-set around the globe, right?
…Right?
Initially promised a job with the international sales team, you show up at your new job and it isn’t a shiny office. It’s one of Matsuzawa’s old factories in the outskirts of Tokyo. You’re quickly put to work designing automated production lines. Do you have what it takes to survive as a rookie thrust into the fascinating world of factory automation?
From the creators of Opus Magnum, SpaceChem, and Infinifactory comes Kaizen: A Factory Story — another masterfully engineered game.
Weld, rivet, cut, and drill the optimal design and share your solutions to build the simplest, fastest, and sleekest items in your factory. Export animated GIFs to show them off.
But wait! There’s more! In case you want to take a break from factory life, you can spend your days playing Pachi-Sol, an exciting new pachinko-themed solitaire game.
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 8 |
| Age ratings |
|
| Controller required | No |
| Metacritic | 80/100 View on Metacritic |
| Website | Official website |
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