Steamworld Heist 2 Review

Almost a decade after it made its Nintendo 3DS debut, the Steamworld franchise is set to get one of its biggest titles yet. While the franchise may have expanded to new genres with Steamworld Dig and Steamworld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech, nothing has really compared to that original turn-based adventure. But that is all set to change with the release of Steamworld Heist 2.

Steamworld Heist 2 is once again taking players on a wild adventure through a unique steampunk world where danger lurks around every corner. However, although this title shares many similarities with the original adventure, it also aims to do things a bit differently. Not only is it filled with even more content to conquer, but its world, characters, and combat lead to something truly special. And so far, the entire package makes for an experience that fans of the genre may not soon forget.

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By Mohsen Baqery

Steamworld Heist 2's World Feels Extremely Unique

One of the first things players will likely notice about Steamworld Heist 2 is its unique steampunk world. Unlike the first's spacefaring adventure, this game puts players in the shoes of Captain Leeway, a one-armed captain who must sail through the Great Sea. The entire planet has been ravaged by a mysterious menace who seems to be turning the water vile. It has begun corroding metal limbs and mechanical hearts, and if someone does not stop it, then the world may be lost.

Players must take the helm of Captain Leeway's ship and sail through the Great Sea to stop it. As they do, they will encounter a wide variety of interesting characters and locales that truly make the world feel alive. From shopkeepers and musicians to crew members and villains, Steamworld Heist 2 is filled to the brim with interesting characters to meet. And the best part is that they all have something to say, which is one way the game shines.

The storytelling in Steamworld Heist 2 is incredibly engaging, backed by the hilarious and witty writing of its many characters. It truly feels like a game that does not take itself too seriously, and instead wants players to have fun within its world. Plus, the music that accompanies each scene makes it even better. However, that blend alone is not enough to stand out, so luckily, there is some exciting gameplay as well.

Steamworld Heist 2 Shines in Its Gameplay

The core gameplay of Steamworld Heist 2 may not be the most advanced out there, but it feels very satisfying to play. The entire game runs on a day-night cycle, where players are only able to do so much during the day. They start each day at an inn and can upgrade their ship or crew, purchase goods, or have conversations before setting out. Once players depart, they are given full control over Captain Leeway's ship and must sail through the seas plundering anything in their path via real-time naval combat.

Throughout the world, players will also discover missions to complete if they want to progress through the game, unlock new items, or level up their crew. Each mission has a unique objective, a bonus objective, and a crew mate requirement that dictates how many characters to take on the mission. Once they complete the mission, player are awarded bounty points that can be spent on new items or reputation within the region, and the crew from the mission must rest until the next day.

The missions themselves can be a lot of fun, albeit a little repetitive at times. When a level starts, players are given a few bits of dialogue between their chosen crew to set up what exactly is going on. Then, the game's turn-based combat begins. The core combat works much like any turn-based game, where each character is given the ability to move and attack. Additionally, each class offers special abilities that can often give players the upper hand. While that may not be the most innovative, it feels refined here and is extremely satisfying to play.

Where Steamworld Heist 2 does shake things up is with its class system. Crew members have six different classes to choose from, each representing classic strategy game archetypes. Brawlers get up close and personal, Boomers like to make things explode, Engineers live to heal and protect, Reapers feel like Cowboys, and Snipers are pretty self-explanatory. That may not sound too unique, but the real innovation comes in the game's cog system.

Instead of forcing crew members to stick with certain classes, Steamworld Heist 2 lets them constantly switch between classes. All they have to do is equip a corresponding weapon, and that character will be turned into the matching class. Then, depending upon the level they reached in the other classes, they will earn cogs. These cogs can be spent on talents from the class that they were earned in, letting players mix and match different skills from across all six classes, which makes for an exciting system that more turn-based games may want to take note of.

Steamworld Heist 2 Still Has a Few Flaws

Although Steamworld Heist 2 is a fantastically made strategy game that's filled to the brim with witty dialogue, it is not without its flaws. Specifically, the missions can sometimes feel a bit repetitive after a while. They often have unique objectives or bonus objectives, but there are only so many ways the studio can shake up a 2D turn-based combat encounter. So, while it does not ruin the game, some players may be yearning for something a bit different after a while.

Additionally, the enemy types do not feel as varied as they could be, with players being able to learn their weaknesses pretty fast. Along with that, the ship controls can be a bit annoying at times and the enemy AI sometimes makes strange decisions. There may also be a few technical hiccups along the way, but nothing that really distracts from the overall experience.

The Steamworld Heist Franchise Has a Bright Future Ahead of it

Steamworld Heist 2 has taken everything good about that first game and delivered something truly special. Although there may be a few weak points, the game is able to make up for it with its thrilling gameplay, unique class system, and its colorful world. It not only serves as a great turn-based strategy game for genre veterans, but it may be a great one for newcomers to try out too. And with its release, there are hopefully plenty more adventures within the Steamworld franchise on the horizon.

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