Sequels constructing off well-liked debuts at all times have their work reduce out for them, and SteamWorld Heist II is not any exception. The unique launch is one in every of my favourite video games in recent times—I personal it on the 3DS, Wii U (with all DLC), and bodily on the Swap. With such excessive expectations, how does SteamWorld Heist II fare as a sequel?
Let me tackle this query early: SteamWorld Heist II, as a sequel, comes near matching the greatness of its predecessor, however not fairly in the long term. I stress lengthy, as I’ve already sunk a few dozen hours into it on the time of publishing this evaluate. Whereas the sport is wealthy in content material, there have been instances after I missed the immediacy and balanced execution of the unique. The sequel introduces many contemporary parts, however some jarring issue spikes stem much less from intelligent enemies and extra from an awesome flood of lower-level threats. Even when enemies crumble in a single hit, it issues little if half a dozen extra get dumped out every flip. The average, extra restrained strategy proven within the first recreation appears to have been comparatively scrapped.
However presumably (and once more, some extent of credit score), the group should’ve ultimately realized they received carried away with enemy amount. SteamWorld Heist II presents not solely extra issue choices than the primary recreation but in addition customized sliders to regulate particular person parts of the problem. And right here is the place I provide my public service tip, pointedly regarding what the sport calls “Mission Urgency.”
I wasn’t initially having an excessive amount of bother with the problem general (enemy accuracy, harm, and many others.) as I’ve crushed the unique a number of instances, alternating between “Common” and “Veteran” issue. However the beforehand talked about regular stream of spawning enemies ultimately began taking too massive a toll, because the devs appear to be veering from smitten to infatuated with this facet. If you wish to see fewer alarms triggering wave after wave of enemies, flip this slider up! In contrast to the seven different sliders that you just’d flip down for a decreased problem, this one is the reverse, for causes nonsensical. Whereas I’m impressed that I managed to scrape by as a lot as I did with max issue, adjusting it to an inexpensive stage allowed me to earn extra stars on replay.
The sport hits acquainted notes as a water disaster shortly swells right into a a lot weightier risk. You’ll recruit a crew of steambots and assemble the most effective group for every mission. It’s simply as a lot enjoyable right here as within the first recreation, if no more so, for a number of causes. Noteworthy highlights are the means to have as much as 5 energetic bots in choose missions, the choice for every bot to change between jobs, and unrestricted stock. Altering jobs has gotten essentially the most advertising (maybe as a result of it appears curious, maybe as a result of experimenting with it presents depth and replay worth). Nonetheless, the limitless stock is my favourite, because it was painfully tiny within the first recreation.
I questioned how freely crusing the waters would fare in comparison with the extra restricted house navigation within the first recreation. Whereas there have been factors I missed having bars in nearer proximity, I had enjoyable regardless of the slower tempo. Naval fight (above and beneath the water) introduces a change of tempo, with some welcomed selection, whereas not overshadowing the sport’s lifeblood. The maps are monumental, and there’s a good quantity of navigation freedom for some non-linear enjoyment. Simply be sure your sub is provided appropriately with a number of upgrades.
If the brand new mechanics click on with you and also you select to stay with the sport, experiment, and discover, it will probably provide dozens of play hours. I’m nearing 35 on the time of publication and nonetheless replaying some missions in a quest for these previous couple of elusive stars. It could actually really feel like a tedious grind at choose spikes, however keep it up. As you get leveled-up characters with top-line weaponry, progress will come.
SteamWorld Heist II has so many excellent core parts that, even chasing new horizons on the expense of some stability, it’s nonetheless a beneficial sequel. Whereas quirks may make it run out of steam at factors, don’t be shocked when it retains you coming again for extra. With a presentation polished as a pearl and a few enjoyable twists, this prolonged sequel ought to discover a place within the Swap collections of these up for the problem.
