Part 2 at full speed
At this point, the world of this brilliant saga needs no introduction. Steampunk in all its forms, we have everything from city building, tower defense, metroidvania, platforming, turn-based JRPGs and, perhaps my favorite, turn-based squad tactics. This is the case of SteamWorld Heist II which, after a great first installment, is now back in full swing.
In this world, robots have inherited not only the Earth, but also a share of bad luck. Who would have thought that, after surviving a catastrophic explosion, water would be the most valuable resource? Well… everyone, except the deniers. The story of SteamWorld Heist II picks up many years after the events of the first game.. The Steambots, a race of steam-powered robots, find themselves in a devastated world. The ocean level has risen to such an extent that only scattered fragments of land remain. Against this background, the struggle for survival intensified, not only for resources, but also for control of the remaining fragments of the planet.
There is no talk of other people’s bodies (or their energy sources)
As we explore this environment, we encounter a variety of factions, each with their own agendas and motivations. Some of these groups seek to control the water at all costs, while others simply try to survive.. We can say that the main division is between diesel robots, which pride themselves on believing themselves superior to their older versions, the steam robots. Of course, the search for water is vital for Steambots, which need it to generate steam and function.
We also have sub-factions, such as the Scrap Hoarders. In short, they are a group of Steambots who have taken up the life of pirates, like tin-plated Jack Sparrows. They are ruthless and hoard resources with both hands, in order to control the fate of their peers. Another interesting faction is the Water Guardians, the opposite of the previous group. They believe in the preservation and responsible use of water, a sort of post-apocalyptic Greenpeace. Despite the nobility of their beliefs, they sometimes get a bit extreme. Something like “the end justifies the shooting.”
Mommy issues
Us We put ourselves in the shoes of Captain Leeway, a young renegade who tries to live up to his mythical mother. After recovering our ship, captured by the diesel robots, we begin to sail the seas and live this adventure. To reach a safe harbor (quack), we not only have to recruit new crew members, but also improve the capabilities of our boat.
This is achieved through different missions, where The gameplay remains as satisfying as ever. With a turn-based tactical system, every bullet and every particular skill counts. This is where strategy shines: more than just aim is required to get through the levels. The environment, with its obstacles and cover, plays a crucial role in every fight. Ricochet shots, for example, are a trademark of the series and a valuable tactic. Of course, not all weapons or character classes have a laser sight that tends to ensure our aim. Therefore, The environment of each map plays a fundamental role. Keeping an eye out for destructible elements, as well as weak points on bosses and performing flanking maneuvers are keys to success.
Robots vapeadores
And Steamworld Heist II Progression is well balanced. We unlock new skills, weapons and upgrades for the characters.. Not only does this allow you to customize your gear to suit your playstyle, but it also encourages you to keep going. Even replaying missions to finish all the extra objectives! This is because planning and using your head feels rewarding, but sometimes it’s not enough and you have to come back better prepared. Related to this, the difficulty feels perfectWhile we have three levels to choose from, the normal level offers a fair challenge. The lowest level feels like a walk in the park and the highest level… let’s get some serious steam going.
Of course, already a classic in the saga, the humor is still presentThere are a lot of optional dialogues, which we access only to see what the characters say. The Steambots have diverse personalities and each one contributes its own grain of sand to the setting. Of course, its very characteristic visual section also contributes to this. SteamWorld Heist II has a character and scenario design that is identifiable just by looking at it.
I’ve seen you from somewhere…
Of course, despite all the strengths we mentioned, SteamWorld Heist II is not perfect. As the campaign progresses, a certain repetitiveness in the missions begins to be noticed.. Although some of the objectives vary, the lack of variety in the enemies is evident. The good thing is that the game has several surprises in store, which ends up tipping the balance and keeping us hooked until the end.
In summary, SteamWorld Heist II is a sequel that meets expectations and exceeds them in many ways. Thunderful Development manages to create a game that not only improves on what made the original great, but also adds enough new features to justify the new installment. It’s a title that is as enjoyable for its gameplay as it is for its presentation, something that fans of the genre will appreciate and love. I’ll leave you now, because I left Steambot running and it’s getting too hot for my mate. [i]
DEVELOPED AND DISTRIBUTED BY: Thunderful Development
GENDER: Turn-based squad tactics
AVAILABLE IN: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One.
WHAT’S UP: A second installment that lives up to the legacy.
THE GOOD: Improvements from the first game. The humor. The setting. The surprises in the plot. The mechanics still feel very satisfying. Good challenge on its standard difficulty.
BAD: The enemy and mission design becomes a bit repetitive.
This SteamWorld Heist II review was made using PC code provided by its developers.
