Welcome to EXPlay, (Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, whilst also taking the time to include some lengthy gameplay, to give you the reader, the chance to shape your own impressions and views whilst watching and reading.
In this explanatory review, we’re covering SteamWorld Heist II by developer, Thunderful Development:
SteamWorld Heist IIÂ (The Explanation)
As a series that dates back to 2010, SteamWorld has always gone strength to strength, even when original developer, Image & Form, opted to take SteamWorld in a new direction and undertook differing genres. It is astonishing to see how far SteamWorld has come in the last fourteen years, especially when its success lead to Image & Form growing in such a way that by merging with Zoink Games the pair were able to create the parent copmpany, Thunderful in 2017.
Thunderful have released many great games in the seven years since, but now dreams continue to come true for SteamWorld Heist fans, now that a long-awaited sequel to 2015’s SteamWorld Heist is finally here, but is it as every bit as good as its predecessor or better? That’s what we’re about to find out! As the seventh instalment in the SteamWorld series, StewamWorld Heist II is the second side-scrolling turn-based tactics shooter in this series, but Heist II expands upon the gameplay introduced in the first Heist game, and adds in real-time combat, but we’ll touch on the real-time gameplay later on.
In terms of story, set after the events of SteamWorld Dig 2, which concluded with the Earth exploding and paving the way for SteamWorld Heist, Heist II takes place in the once tranquil, Caribbea. With what remains of the Earth blown apart into peaces, Carribea is a “shard” of Earth, which is mostly covered in water, with landmass here and there.
Calling the Caribbea home, our new lead protagonist is none other than Quincy Leeway. As the son of the infamous Krakenbane Leeway, a reverred monster hunter, Quincy has some big boots to fill, should he wish to live up to her legacy and forge one of his own. With no luck yet and missing an arm, SteamWorld Heist II starts things off nice and light, as Captain Quincy Leeway, joined by Daisy Clutch and Wesley Hotchkiss, band together to steal back Leeway’s submarine from the Royal Navy, only to find themselves embarking on an epic quest across periloius seas, as they take on multiple enemy factions, attempt to solve the water crisis that is poisoning Steambots and cement their place in Steambot history.
In terms of gameplay, for those who played SteamWorld Heist and loved its overall combat mechanics and general gameplay, you will be pleased to know the hand-designed levels have returned, hats can still be shot off and collected, and the actual trick shots and gunfire is as fun as it has always been.
What’s new, however, is SteamWorld Heist II boasts a much larger crew for players to get to know, but alsdo each character is no longer restricted to a singular role. By giving your Steambots a different weapon type, you allow them to take on a new job role, of which there are six and by experiementing with each character job type, levelling them up and learning new skills, even the hardest of Heist II’s trickier levels can have its tide turned in your favour.
But if they still prove a tad hard due to stage completion requirements or just the difficulty you currently have selected, you can always change it to an easier difficulty mode, or spend your hard earned gallons of water to purchase better weapons befitting your crew of Brawlers, Snipers, Reapers, Flankers, Boomers and Engineers. Better utilities help also and where gallons of water fail, you can always use the fragments you are able to obtain, to implment vital upgrades, be it personal upgrades for your crew, upgrades for Leeway’s submarine, or just slots for sub weapons and armor.
When not playing through the game’s many levels, completing mission requirements and earning stars, players are free to explore SteamWorld Heist II’s openworld, by driving Leeway’s submarine to all available areas. While the map may seem small at first, but as the story develops and the stakes become higher, more sea antics await and as long as your submarine has the right upgrades and armaments, it is time to wage war on all those who oppose you and sink your foes before they sink you.
With many upgrades available, including the likes of an air tank that will allow you to submerge the submarine and explore new locations, previously inaccessible, it won’t matter how big the enemy ship is, as long as you have torpedos to hand and the quick reflexes to dodge oncoming fire that will deal the most damage to you. However, when not engaging in open warfare or collecting bounties, by exploring, players can uncover new stages to play through as well as other locations, such as bars where players can find safe harbour, sleep to end the day and even purchase new items.
In short, much like how SteamWorld Dig 2, was a long-awaited sequel that vastly improved on its predecessor, the same can be said for Heist II. Space has been swapped for the high seas, but with more content, more to do, more customisation and a lot more fun to be had, SteamWorld Heist II is a weclome addition in a much beloved series that only raises the bar even higher. SteamWorld Headhunter, you’ve got your work cut out for you!
SteamWorld Heist IIÂ (The Gameplay)
Game Specifications:
Developer: Thunderful Development, Thunderful Group
Publisher: Thunderful
Platform: Nintendo Switch (eShop)
Category: Adventure, Action, Strategy
No. of Players: 1 (Single System)
Release Date: August 8, 2024
Price: $29.99
File Size: 1.7 GB
Nintendo.com Listing
