Of all of the potential sequels and new entries within the SteamWorld universe, a follow-up to 2016’s acclaimed SteamWorld Heist feels a bit of too good to be true. Revisiting the side-scrolling turn-based tactical technique fight is sensible, however what may a sequel probably supply to construct on that? Thunderful Improvement’s SteamWorld Heist 2 solutions that in a number of methods whereas sticking near what already works, even when a few of the newer options may use extra fine-tuning.
The story takes place on a Shard, a bit of the fabled destroyed Earth, full of intensive oceans. Its folks have adopted a naval-focused life, which additionally means smugglers, scoundrels and pirates plying their commerce on the waters. The irony of a lot water after the crises different Shards have confronted all through the franchise isn’t misplaced on me, however bother is brewing. A wierd phenomenon is inflicting the drinkable water to go unhealthy, rusting the innards of the Steambots.
“The plot is fairly simple, even when it’s pretty begin and cease, typically leaning an excessive amount of on constructing popularity in a area or gathering gadgets for the following story occasion to happen.”
Then there’s the Royal Navy, seemingly intent on retaining the Steambots down whereas serving the mysterious core. The cult-like Rattlers are additionally an issue, embracing the substitute of their elements with bones to counteract the rust. Different threats abound, as they usually do in a SteamWorld title, however none of this initially considerations protagonist Captain Quincy Leeway.
Sulking and lacking an arm, he seems to retrieve his submarine and sail the excessive seas as soon as extra, hopefully residing as much as the legacy of his legendary mom, Krakenbane. His demeanor is daring and dashing in public however anxious in personal, particularly as he retains failing upward as a result of his crew’s successes.
Different quirky characters additionally emerge, from the loyal Wesley Hotchkiss, who’s surprisingly obsessive about dying heroically, and Daisy Clutch, the Oliver Twist-inspired, happy-go-lucky sniper to Sola Fathom, who cryptically hints at unusual issues within the depths. You’ll recruit varied crewmates to affix your trigger, and so they shine throughout some pre-mission briefings, cutscenes and conversations. Some missions additionally delve into their previous, although it’s nothing too in depth.
Total, I’d have appreciated extra targeted growth on every since their tales take a backseat to the water disaster and Leeway’s issues. They brighten up the environment, however there may have been some extra scenes of camaraderie, celebration or simply the crew residing it up. A pirate’s life for me outdoors of the tactical heisting, crusing and outpost hopping, if you’ll. In any other case, the plot is fairly simple, even when it’s pretty begin and cease, typically leaning an excessive amount of on constructing popularity in a area or gathering gadgets for the following story occasion to happen.
“The naval fight is just one side of the gameplay – the opposite is the heists. Every heist requires a selected variety of bots – the bigger maps could necessitate 4 or 5, whereas some problem you to get via with just one.”
A serious new addition in SteamWorld Heist 2 is real-time naval fight. Exploring the overworld and combating hostile ships is attractive, particularly because it grants water and improve supplies. It’s not too mechanically intensive within the opening hours – your weapons fireplace routinely and have a cooldown when you manually pilot the vessel, trying to evade assaults.
Whereas these techniques stay, the sub beneficial properties new options like diving underwater (essential to defeat sure enemies and mines), boosting, and equipping completely different weapons. Torpedoes are good all-around, particularly underwater, and cannonballs deal vital harm regardless of their sluggish projectile velocity (making them ultimate towards massive targets). Nevertheless, gun turrets are higher suited to nimbler targets.
With varied methods to improve the sub, there isn’t an excessive amount of considering required when participating in high-seas battles. Apart from the tedious backtracking, the world map is enjoyable to discover, laden with secret areas with gentle puzzle-solving or vendor-less areas promoting hats.
That’s just one side of the gameplay – the opposite is the heists. Every heist requires a selected variety of bots – the bigger maps could necessitate 4 or 5, whereas some problem you to get via with just one. Since your crew has a cooldown, you have to return to an outpost after each heist to relaxation. Recruiting extra allies means extra heists to deal with at a time, thus resulting in extra Bounty Factors and higher rewards. Nevertheless, it could get tedious to return to an outpost, particularly within the mid to late-game maps. You may finish your day and return to the latest one, however which means not having the ability to money in any Bounty Factors.
“It’s all normal fare for those who performed the unique; the twist is that your crew isn’t restricted to singular courses. By equipping completely different weapons, you may swap Jobs.”
Like its predecessor, environments are offered from a two-dimensional perspective with varied elevations, areas to take cowl, environmental hazards, doorways to open, and so forth. Taking cowl towards enemy fireplace on the horizontal airplane is a should, however you additionally must preserve the vertical airplane in thoughts. Some walkways are open, which makes them truthful sport for taking pictures above and beneath. This may be turned to your benefit, particularly when ricocheting rounds.
Every character has a flip with two motion factors – one to maneuver, the opposite to shoot, although you may expend each for reaching larger distances. Some talents don’t value motion factors, permitting for extra company. Weapon aiming is handbook, although – some have sightlines to point the path of bullets alongside weapon sway; the danger vs. reward side will be candy, particularly as you financial institution a sniper shot into an enemy’s head after ricocheting off the wall past them. Watch out, as enemies can do the identical, alongside flanking and intelligently utilizing cowl on increased difficulties.
It’s all normal fare for those who performed the unique; the twist is that your crew isn’t restricted to singular courses. By equipping completely different weapons, you may swap Jobs. Finishing heists and garnering XP ranges them up, unlocking new talents. You may then change and spend Cogs to maintain passive and energetic expertise unlocked from different Jobs.
Engineer plus Sniper permits for deploying cowl at will, which meshes nicely with a passive that grants elevated harm if you don’t transfer for a flip. You may additionally take a extra passive method as a Boomer + Engineer, deploying cowl and, when an enemy rushes you, backing off to detonate it (which has limitless vary).
After all, every Job has a beginning passive solely accessible for those who use their related weapon. Characters even have private upgrades – as you progress and unlock new options within the submarine (together with stat upgrades and further crew slots), these will be bought so as to add some extra spice like Cornelius turning into invulnerable to all harm for a flip and taunting all enemies, which pairs nicely with Payback, a Brawler passive that offers harm to these attacking crewmates. It’s even attainable to improve Job expertise to make them simpler.
“Apart from some issue spikes, the mission design is fairly good total. One degree sees you battling a number of sword-wielding Royal Navy enemies whereas chasing after their cowardly boss.”
When you get a hefty quantity of water and Fragments for buying new weapons and upgrades a number of hours in, the Job development can really feel considerably sluggish. The low quantity of weapons initially obtainable additionally discourages experimentation, and for those who’re not glad with a Job’s talents, it may be a slog to modify to one thing else.
Including to that is the unusual issue spike in some missions, significantly these towards the Rattlers in colder environments since some areas inflict chill for those who stand on them. The Rattlers themselves can finally freeze you with their assaults and develop to exponential numbers, making for a depressing expertise, particularly for those who’re quarter-hour into a comparatively easy crusing mission. Problem sliders are appreciated, however these mechanics and a few of the alarm RNG will be annoying.
A system the place every level-up grants Cogs for allocating to every Job’s expertise – equipping their respective weapons can nonetheless unlock the beforehand talked about passives – would go a great distance in direction of assuaging this. It might additionally encourage making an attempt completely different builds and set-ups, particularly later within the sport.
Apart from some issue spikes, the mission design is fairly good total. One degree sees you battling a number of sword-wielding Royal Navy enemies whereas chasing after their cowardly boss. Others contain surviving ambushes and even boss fights, whether or not it’s two conflicting factions going at it when you attempt to take them down and survive or a recurring nemesis who dons an enormous mech. They’re fairly diversified and gratifying, with respectable replay worth in order for you all of the swag or to flee unscathed.
“SteamWorld Heist 2 is a reasonably good sequel, providing quite a lot of the identical strategic gameplay of the unique with a model new setting, likeable characters, interesting visuals, and wonderful music.”
The presentation can be extremely stable – environments and characters are full of particulars, and the SteamWorld aesthetic continues to be very pleasing. The music is the actual star, although, with Steam Powered Giraffe providing an array of somber and epic songs that swimsuit the pirating expertise.
SteamWorld Heist 2 is a reasonably good sequel, providing quite a lot of the identical strategic gameplay of the unique with a model new setting, likeable characters, interesting visuals, and wonderful music. Its hang-ups do bitter the expertise every so often, and long-time followers anticipating an entire overhaul of the unique would possibly wish to mood their expectations. Nevertheless, that is nonetheless a stable turn-based expertise with a wealth of customization and issues to do in an interesting world.
This sport was reviewed on PC.
