A tactical masterpiece with endless charm
The SteamWorld universe continues its legacy of doing different things in their games. The original SteamWorld Heist is a 2D tactical adventure RPG about a ragtag space pirate crew as they move through the galaxy looking for a big score. What it lacked in power the game more than made up for in style with tons of charm and depth to match. SteamWorld Heist 2 is a brilliant sequel that takes everything great about the original and elevates it to new heights. From the moment you dive into its vibrant, steampunk universe, you’re greeted with a game that is both visually stunning and mechanically deep.
SteamWorld Heist 2 isn’t about space pirates but instead is about the normal kind of pirate, you know the on-water type. Players will take control Captain Leeway, a one-armed bot, whose mother was a legendary pirate captain and no one will let him forget it. So not only will players try and rise to the heights of his famous mother but also has to contend with a water crisis that is rusting out bots and turning them crazed. Players will be free to explore this open world in their submarine that will start off with basic albitites but will soon be able to submerge and fight back against the Royal Navy who is blockading the area and keeping the ‘Steambots’ down.
MSRP: $29.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $29.99
The turn-based combat is a standout feature, transforming each encounter into a strategic puzzle. The joy of lining up the perfect trick shot, ricocheting bullets off walls to hit enemies hiding behind cover, never gets old. The addition of new characters, abilities, and environmental obstacles keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting as well. And as players sail around the open world, they will run into enemy ships that can also be fought and destroyed. These battles happen automatically where players will just need to align the enemy with the weapons on their ship; these battles helped cement the pirate feeling and made for extra ways to earn XP and currency to upgrade units.
One of the most impressive aspects of SteamWorld Heist 2 is its variety of missions. One moment you’re sneaking into a prison, pulling off a heist on a naval base, the next you’ll be surviving waves of enemies, each mission feels unique and challenging and the inclusion of only being able to use each of your crew for one mission per day adds a layer of strategy to the game.
SteamWorld Heist 2 has a new job system that adds another layer of depth, allowing you to customize your crew with different skills and abilities, making each playthrough feel unique. Unlike the original game where classes were determined by the character chosen, this time around the weapon equipped decides the class. As players upgrade them, they can mix and match classes, they won’t be able to use the active abilities of that class but can mix in powerful passives that shake things up even more.
SteamWorld Heist 2 is a must-play for fans of tactical strategy games. Its engaging combat, diverse missions, and charming presentation make it a standout title on the Xbox (where I played it) but will be great on any platform. Whether you’re a veteran of the series or a newcomer, you’re in for a treat with this gem of a game.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
