Summary
- The SteamWorld franchise consists of a series of well-received video games set in a post-apocalyptic steampunk world with steam-powered robots as characters.
- The games cover a variety of genres while fitting into a consistent universe, allowing players to explore and learn more about the world.
- Each game in the franchise has its unique mechanics and gameplay style, such as tower defense, turn-based RPG and deck-building, exploration-focused platforming, and turn-based tactics.
Created by the Swedish game studio, Image & Form, the SteamWorld franchise is made up of a series of well-received video games set in a post-apocalyptic steampunk world in which many of the characters are steam-powered robots. What makes the SteamWorld games stand out, in particular, is how they cover a variety of genres while managing to fit every game into an overarching and consistent universe, allowing players to find out more about the world by playing every SteamWorld title.
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SteamWorld games have a consistent aesthetic, though their upcoming entries look to innovate on their iconic brand, which continues to grow with a sixth entry in the franchise planned for release in December 2023.
5 SteamWorld Tower Defense
This first entry in the SteamWorld franchise is sadly not available on PC, and in addition to being the oldest game in the SteamWorld series, it could be argued that it's also the least polished. However, for its time, SteamWorld Tower Defense is a unique tower defense experience for the DSi.
In the game, players defend their mine from waves of humans attempting to steal their gold. To do this, players place various robots, each with their unique abilities. SteamWorld Tower Defense, like many tower defense games, is focused on strategic positioning, although the game is notoriously difficult. When it comes to smaller titles, the genre of tower defense games is one of the most saturated, but SteamWorld Tower Defense manages to stand out thanks to its setting and unique mechanics.
4 SteamWorld Quest: Hand Of Gilgamech
This combination of turn-based RPG and deck-building games is set in a fantastical version of the SteamWorld setting, though it still contains the iconic robots that the series is known for.
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SteamWorld Quest features traditional deck-building gameplay that fans of Slay The Spire will be right at home with but ditches the rogue-like structure for that of an RPG, featuring over 100 cards and a story-driven campaign that's sure to charm fans of the SteamWorld style. SteamWorld Quest is a great game for fans of deck-builders looking for a similar experience with more narrative focus and less randomness.
3 SteamWorld Dig
SteamWorld Dig
This 2D platforming Metroidvania-like puts players in the shoes of a miner in an old mining town, tasking them with digging deeper and deeper to obtain as many resources as they can, uncovering the mine's mysteries and secrets along the way in a randomly generated world.
SteamWorld Dig combines its steampunk visuals with a Wild West-style setting to create a truly unique aesthetic that paved the way for future SteamWorld games. There's also plenty of combat in SteamWorld Dig, thanks to the abundance of horrible creatures lurking in the mine below. However, the game is mainly focused on exploration.
2 SteamWorld Dig 2
Unlike the original SteamWorld Dig, this sequel features a hand-crafted world over a procedurally generated one, leaning further into the Metroidvania elements that the first game had. Although SteamWorld Dig 2 features a similar gameplay loop to the first game, with the player digging down into the mine for resources and coming back up to sell them, it leans heavily into RPG and Metroidvania mechanics as well.
The world of SteamWorld Dig 2 is packed with intriguing puzzles, challenge rooms, and even Spelunky- style traps that try to catch players out and send them back to the surface. Furthermore, the risk-reward gameplay of delving as deep into the mine as possible without dying and losing precious resources helps to create an addictive gameplay loop for players to enjoy as they explore the game's hand-crafted world.
1 SteamWorld Heist
This 2D turn-based tactics game takes SteamWorld's classic steampunk Wild West setting to the stars, setting players off on a space-faring adventure with a ragtag crew of robots and writing and tone similar to beloved science fiction shows such as Firefly. SteamWorld Heist's combat is turn-based, but players have to manually aim each of their shots, adding an extra layer of skill to the tactical gameplay.
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On top of a story-driven adventure packed with charming characters and well-written dialogue, SteamWorld Heist features a wide array of weapons that are both fun to use and strategically viable in different situations. Each character in the game also has their unique abilities, which can change as they level up, something that can only be achieved if the player chooses to bring them into a mission. SteamWorld Heist also features procedurally generated levels, a great soundtrack, and a New Game Plus mode for those who can't get enough of it.
Upcoming – SteamWorld Build
Set for release on December 1, 2023, SteamWorld Build is a city-builder game about developing a mining town, as well as the mine below it. The game features classic SteamWorld designs in a cartoony 3D aesthetic.
In SteamWorld Build, players must design, build, and manage their above-ground town while developing and exploring the mine below it, all while defending themselves from the various creatures lurking underground. This dual-layer design combined with the iconic SteamWorld charm looks to be a polished city-building experience, but whether or not SteamWorld Build will be better than the other games in the franchise remains to be seen.