SteamWorld Heist 2 takes a bold leap from its outer space origins to a vibrant, underwater setting. This transition showcases the series’ willingness to embrace oddity, aligning perfectly with its established quirky identity. While the connections to the original 2015 game become apparent later, the sequel initially feels like an entirely new adventure. Players control a submarine and command a crew of eccentric robots through a colorful, cartoonish ocean on a sprawling overworld map. With a plethora of challenging turn-based missions and lighter side activities, completing the game took around 40 hours.
Lighthearted Plot and Memorable Music
The plot is light and enjoyable, focusing on Quincy Leeway, a one-armed captain trying to step out of his famous mother’s shadow. As Quincy assembles a crew to uncover the source of a mysterious corruption poisoning the water, the story unfolds with a mix of humor and adventure. While the characters might not be highly memorable, the music certainly is. Steam Powered Giraffe returns with 15 catchy original songs that play in taverns between missions, creating a delightful atmosphere that often made me linger longer than necessary.
Engaging Tactical Gameplay
SteamWorld Heist 2 retains its 2D turn-based tactical gameplay, now with smoother controls. Navigating your team of one to five robots through side-scrolling levels, lining up shots, and collecting loot within their two-action turns presents a challenging and rewarding experience. The need to escape increasing enemy waves while completing objectives adds a thrilling layer to many missions.
Innovative Shooting Mechanics
The manual aiming system, reminiscent of classic Worms games, injects life into the turn-based format. Watching the trajectory of a sniper shot line up through multiple enemies before firing is both strategic and satisfying. While some shots feel like lucky breaks rather than calculated moves, landing a tricky ricochet shot can be immensely gratifying.
Flexible Character Customization
Characters start with specific classes but can be transformed into hybrids by mixing abilities from six different skill trees. This system, while initially feeling obligatory, becomes highly rewarding as you unlock powerful combinations. Early upgrades that fast-track class skills significantly enhance the customization experience, allowing for creative and potent character builds.
Thoughtful Mission Design
SteamWorld Heist 2 improves upon its predecessor by eliminating inventory limitations and procedurally generated levels. The hand-built multi-chamber stages focus on specific objectives, offering a more tailored and engaging experience. Legendary weapons with unique modifiers encourage players to adapt their tactics, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting.
Balanced Difficulty and Varied Enemies
The game’s adjustable difficulty settings ensure a balanced challenge. Each mission is designed with layers beyond merely completing objectives, encouraging players to achieve maximum ratings by fulfilling bonus tasks. Boss fights and enemy variety, such as the uniquely designed Rattlers, add depth to the tactical experience.
Open-World Exploration
The open-world exploration between missions adds a secondary game layer. Navigating a large map, completing side challenges, and engaging in light combat with enemy watercraft provide a relaxing break from the intense turn-based battles. While simpler, this mode offers moments of tension and satisfaction, especially when uncovering new areas or finding valuable loot.
Replayability and Strategic Planning
Each robot can participate in one mission per day, prompting strategic planning to maximize efficiency. Although there’s no time limit, varying your squad and revisiting missions prevent boredom and ensure all crew members level up appropriately. The ability to retry failed missions without penalty supports experimentation and learning.
SteamWorld Heist 2 successfully builds on its predecessor by introducing new mechanics, refining old ones, and providing a more cohesive and engaging experience. The blend of tactical gameplay, character customization, and open-world exploration, coupled with its whimsical art style and memorable music, makes it a standout sequel worth exploring.
