SteamWorld Heist 2 review: Expansive and charming, with innovative tactics and features.
Table of Contents
SteamWorld Heist 2 Review: Like Clockwork
First Released: August 8, 2024
Platforms: PC
SteamWorld Heist 2 takes a beloved cult classic and significantly expands upon it, maintaining its charm while enhancing complexity without overwhelming players. As the seventh installment in the SteamWorld series, this sequel marks a notable shift from the anthology-style entries to a direct continuation of the Heist spin-off. With its unique blend of tactical gameplay and charming storytelling, Heist 2 builds on the foundation laid by its predecessor, offering a refined and engaging experience that stands out in the genre.
Overview
SteamWorld Heist 2 continues the story of the first game, enriching its world with deeper mechanics and a more expansive narrative. The game is set in a water-covered planet where steam-powered robots, known as Steambots, navigate through turn-based tactical missions. The sequel introduces a plethora of new features while preserving the core elements that made the original Heist so appealing. From its refined job system to the engaging submarine mechanics, Heist 2 builds on its predecessor’s strengths while introducing new dimensions to explore.
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Story and Setting
The world of SteamWorld Heist 2 is set on a planet almost entirely covered by water. The primary conflict revolves around the corruption of the planet’s water supply, leading to a condition known as the Rust. The dominant factions include the Dieselbot Navy, who pride themselves on their non-reliance on steam power, and the Rattlers, a grim cult replacing their metal parts with bone to avoid rusting.
The protagonist, Captain Quincy Leeway, is a one-armed Steambot overshadowed by his legendary mother. Throughout the game, Leeway acts as the strategic voice in the earpiece of your mission-bound bots. Although he does not directly participate in missions, Leeway provides context and instructions. Players interact with Leeway during ship exploration and store visits, as well as when solving simple exploration puzzles. His journey from seeking a score to uncovering the mystery behind the Rust adds depth to the narrative, portraying a tale of a ragtag crew becoming a family amidst a larger conflict.
Gameplay Mechanics
Mission Structure and Combat
SteamWorld Heist 2 offers turn-based tactical combat in confined indoor spaces, but it distinguishes itself from its genre contemporaries with a unique 2D perspective and gameplay mechanics. Unlike typical XCOM-like games, Heist 2 emphasizes verticality and trick-shots, where players use laser sight-like aimlines to bounce projectiles off walls and objects to hit enemies behind cover. This mechanic adds a layer of strategy, requiring players to think creatively about their shots.
Each mission involves completing objectives, collecting loot, and evacuating before an escalating alarm system forces a hasty retreat. The alarm system creates a tension between risk and reward, encouraging players to balance the time spent collecting loot with the need to avoid triggering the alarm.
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Job System and Customization
One of the standout features of SteamWorld Heist 2 is its refined job system. This system allows any Steambot to equip any job by simply switching their primary weapon during the mission loadout. Each job comes with its own set of abilities and experience points that contribute to unlocking powerful upgrades. The game features five levels for each job, with each level granting access to new abilities.
The real fun lies in experimenting with different job combinations. For example, the Reaper class, typically restricted to SMGs, can be combined with abilities from other classes to create powerful synergies. Mastering abilities like the Reaper’s Harvest skill, which allows continuous shooting while delivering fatal damage, can be combined with long-range classes like the Sniper to clear entire rooms. Similarly, blending the Flanker’s mobility with a Sniper’s vantage points or the Sniper’s aim-sight with a Boomer’s rockets creates new strategic possibilities. This system is crucial for tackling late-game challenges and adds significant replayability.
Experience Points and Job Management
A notable improvement in Heist 2 is the management of experience points. Unlike traditional job-class systems where mastering a job often means either sticking with it or grinding with less effective jobs, Heist 2 introduces a reserve pool for excess experience points. This allows players to maintain their elite-level jobs for critical missions while applying banked experience to other jobs. This innovative approach smooths out the experience curve and eliminates the frustration of job-class grinding.
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Cog Slots and Equipment
In Heist 2, abilities are managed through Cogs—slots for non-primary abilities. Players start with a default number of Cogs, but certain equipment can increase the number of available slots. Cogs can be used for various utilities, including enhanced armor, sidearms, grenades, and healing packs. The variety of weapons within each job class also adds depth to customization. For instance, different SMGs offer varying attributes such as burst-fire, ricochets, armor-piercing, or healing properties, allowing players to tailor their loadout to their preferred playstyle.
Submarine and Naval Combat
The game introduces a new layer of strategy with the submarine, your mobile base of operations. Unlike the first game, Heist 2 takes place on a single water-covered planet, and the submarine plays a crucial role in both combat and exploration. The submarine engages in real-time naval battles and can be customized with various upgrades. As players progress, they can enhance their submarine with new equipment, affecting its weapons, speed, and strength.
The submarine also serves as a hub for exploration, with hidden caches of equipment and special missions available throughout the water-covered planet. This adds a fresh dynamic to the game, providing a change of pace from the regular turn-based missions.
Narrative and World-Building
The story in SteamWorld Heist 2 unfolds as players progress through the water-covered planet. The corruption of the planet’s water supply and the conflict between the Dieselbot Navy and the Rattlers drive the narrative. Captain Quincy Leeway’s journey from seeking fortune to uncovering the truth behind the Rust is central to the plot. His role as a strategist and guide for the player’s crew provides a unique perspective on the unfolding events.
The game’s world-building is further enhanced by reputation and bounty systems. Players must accrue reputation through mission completion to unlock new submarine equipment and access gated areas. This system encourages players to maximize their efficiency and explore different areas, adding depth to the game’s progression mechanics.
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Strengths
Expanded Systems and Customization
SteamWorld Heist 2 excels in its expanded systems, offering a depth of customization and strategy that enhances the gameplay experience. The job system, experience management, and Cog slots all contribute to a rich and flexible gameplay experience. The variety of weapons and abilities, combined with the innovative approach to job experience, allows players to tailor their strategies and build their ideal team.
Engaging Combat and Tactics
The combat in Heist 2 is both engaging and challenging. The emphasis on trick-shots and verticality, combined with the need to manage resources and deal with an escalating alarm system, creates a dynamic and satisfying tactical experience. The real-time naval battles and submarine customization add additional layers of strategy, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting.
Beautiful and Immersive World
The water-covered planet setting is visually stunning and adds a unique element to the game. The submarine and its role in both combat and exploration provide a fresh perspective and enhance the immersion. The story, while straightforward, is charming and well-integrated into the gameplay, making for a satisfying narrative experience.
Weaknesses
Narrative Depth and Character Development
While the narrative is engaging, it can be somewhat dialogue-heavy at times. Captain Quincy Leeway’s story, while interesting, may not resonate with all players. The secondary characters, while charming, could benefit from further development to add more depth to the overall narrative.
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Balancing and Difficulty
Despite its strengths, Heist 2 can occasionally suffer from balancing issues, particularly with the power of certain job combinations. While the flexibility and customization options are a highlight, some setups can make the game easier than intended. This may affect the challenge for players seeking a more consistent difficulty curve.
Conclusion
SteamWorld Heist 2 successfully builds on the strengths of its predecessor, offering a rich and engaging experience that enhances the original’s charm while expanding its systems and mechanics. The game’s innovative job system, engaging combat, and beautiful world make it a standout entry in the SteamWorld franchise. Despite minor weaknesses in narrative depth and balancing, Heist 2 delivers a satisfying and enjoyable experience from start to finish. For fans of tactical RPGs and newcomers alike, SteamWorld Heist 2 is a must-play that combines strategic depth with charming storytelling.
FAQs
What platforms is SteamWorld Heist 2 available on?
SteamWorld Heist 2 is available on PC.
When was SteamWorld Heist 2 released?
SteamWorld Heist 2 was released on August 8, 2024.
What are the key features of SteamWorld Heist 2?
Key features of SteamWorld Heist 2 include:
- Expanded job system: Allows for extensive customization and strategic depth.
- Unique combat mechanics: Emphasizes trick-shots and verticality in turn-based combat.
- Submarine gameplay: Introduces real-time naval battles and exploration.
- Dynamic reputation and bounty systems: Adds depth to mission progression and equipment unlocking.
How long does it take to complete SteamWorld Heist 2?
The time to complete SteamWorld Heist 2 varies depending on playstyle and mission completion. On average, players can expect around 20-30 hours to finish the main story and side missions.
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Are there any notable changes from the first SteamWorld Heist?
Yes, SteamWorld Heist 2 introduces several new systems and improvements, including:
- A refined job system with a reserve experience pool.
- Expanded submarine gameplay with real-time naval battles.
- Enhanced customization options for both characters and the submarine.
Is SteamWorld Heist 2 suitable for newcomers to the franchise?
Yes, SteamWorld Heist 2 is designed to be accessible to newcomers while still offering depth for returning players. The game introduces its mechanics in a way that is easy to grasp while providing plenty of strategic options.
Can players expect any post-launch content or updates?
While specifics on post-launch content and updates are typically announced by the developer, it is common for games like SteamWorld Heist 2 to receive additional content, patches, and updates to enhance the player experience. Check official sources for the latest information on updates.