SteamWorld Dig 2

About

SteamWorld Dig 2 is a Metroidvania-style platformer with puzzle-solving elements. As Dorothy, a steambot miner, you dig deep into the earth to uncover its secrets while battling enemies mix of charming characters, clever writing, and tight gameplay make this a must-play for fans of the genre. The game features beautiful pixel art and animation, along with atmospheric music. Dorothy's quest is filled with surprises, treasure, and numerous upgrades to discover.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+12

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,709 reviews

gameplay388 positive mentions

grinding49 negative mentions

SteamWorld Dig 2 improves on its predecessor in nearly every way, offering enhanced graphics, more varied environments, and a deeper story.
The gameplay loop of digging, collecting resources, and upgrading is addictive and satisfying, with plenty of secrets and puzzles to discover.
The game features a charming art style, engaging soundtrack, and a well-crafted world that keeps players invested throughout the experience.

The game is relatively short, with many players completing it in around 6-10 hours, which may leave some feeling it doesn't justify the full price.
Some players found the combat simplistic and lacking depth, with only a few boss fights that felt underwhelming.
The reliance on backtracking to town for resources and upgrades can become tedious, especially early in the game before significant upgrades are obtained.

gameplay
861 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
52%
2%
The gameplay in "SteamWorld Dig 2" is widely praised for its addictive loop of exploration, mining, and upgrading, building on the solid foundation of its predecessor while introducing new mechanics and enhancements. Players appreciate the fluid controls, engaging puzzles, and the balance between combat and exploration, although some note that the game can feel short and repetitive at times. Overall, the combination of charming visuals, a well-crafted world, and satisfying gameplay mechanics makes it a standout title in the metroidvania genre.
- “SteamWorld Dig 2 is a masterful blend of metroidvania exploration and puzzle-solving, offering a charming steampunk aesthetic and addictive gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is amazing, from mining for resources to level up your gear, to fighting enemies to level up your character and earn more money, to searching for treasure which will make world traversal easier and more fun.”
- “The gameplay loop is so fun and it feeds into itself so gracefully.”
- “My only gripe is that it is far too short and the ending sort of snuck up on me, leaving me longing for the last few secrets I missed and more gameplay in general.”
- “I can't recommend this game if the main gameplay loop can be summarized as 'motherload, but like, 10 times one after the other'.”
- “The gameplay loop of 'dig, explore, collect, and resurface to sell' works nicely, and the game doesn't overstay its welcome.”
story
834 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
4%
The story in "SteamWorld Dig 2" continues the narrative from its predecessor, focusing on Dorothy's quest to find her missing friend, Rusty. While some players found the plot engaging and charming, others criticized it for being simplistic and predictable, with an abrupt ending that left some threads unresolved. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted and whimsical storyline that complements its exploration and gameplay mechanics, though it may not satisfy those seeking a deep narrative experience.
- “The captivating story and secrets waiting around every corner make it a joy for both casual players and genre enthusiasts.”
- “The story continues, immerses us deeper into the world of SteamWorld.”
- “The story is executed well, with charming characters that give a clear motivation.”
- “The story is frankly kind of a joke, with the ending being an unsatisfying, abrupt, and vague setup for a third game that probably won't ever be made.”
- “The story is boring and uninteresting and the personalities inside even more so.”
- “The story is the weakest link of the game, but surely you don't play a game like this for the story.”
graphics
395 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
42%
1%
The graphics of "SteamWorld Dig 2" have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant and charming art style, which enhances the game's steampunk aesthetic. Many reviewers noted the significant improvements over the first game, highlighting the smooth animations, colorful environments, and overall visual polish that contribute to an engaging gameplay experience. The combination of beautiful artwork and a fitting soundtrack creates an immersive atmosphere that players find delightful and visually appealing.
- “Beautiful visuals, super satisfying gameplay and just so much to do.”
- “The art style and graphics are stunning and crystal-clear.”
- “The graphics are objectively beautiful and well done, and I found the imagery very appealing to me, personally.”
- “The game keeps freezing with a black screen, but you can hear the sounds; there are no visuals.”
- “My only minor complaints are the lack of enemy variety and slightly wonky structuring of the game's pacing and twist, and the game is rendered at 1920x1080, so the graphics are a little pixelated at higher resolutions.”
- “The gameplay is on par; the graphics are a smidge more basic in SteamWorld Dig 2 but are still good—the graphics are appropriate for the art style, if that makes any sense.”
music
376 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
36%
5%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and engaging qualities, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. Composed by el huervo, the music is described as organic, catchy, and fitting for the game's various environments, although some players noted that certain tracks can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant improvement over its predecessor, contributing to the game's charm and immersive atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack by El Huervo completes the picture with atmospheric, meandering melodies, reminiscent of the sprawling labyrinths you create underground.”
- “The music is great, the graphics are superb, and the game feels very fluid.”
- “The soundtrack is organic, atmospheric, and jammy.”
- “The music became extremely annoying after a few hours, and ambient sounds were pretty basic, almost 8-bit in character at times.”
- “The only issue I have is that the music gets very repetitive and mind-numbing after a while.”
- “I understand wanting to mix a bunch of styles because it's a robot western, but most of the soundtrack felt stale to me.”
replayability
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
58%
14%
The reviews present a mixed perspective on replayability, with some players praising the game for its fun mechanics, collectibles, and speedrunning potential, suggesting a decent level of replay value. However, many others express disappointment, citing limited replayability due to the game's short length and pre-designed world, with some stating it feels like a one-and-done experience. Overall, while there are elements that encourage replay, such as achievements and exploration, the consensus leans towards a lack of substantial replay value for most players.
- “Fun gameplay, amazing movement, great soundtrack, just the right length for replayability, distinct art style, and good upgrades that make you feel powerful but don't necessarily make the game easier.”
- “It is concise and respects your time and skill, but has an amazing amount of replayability and collectible-hunting if desired.”
- “Steamworld Dig 2 doesn't wear out its welcome, it knows right when to give you new abilities and is just the right length with plenty of replayability to find everything.”
- “It also has no replay value whatsoever.”
- “The replay value is limited, since the world is pre-designed.”
- “To the point that I just didn't care to bother with even a second attempt, and once you have collected everything, there is really no replay value at all.”
atmosphere
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
34%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its organic and atmospheric soundtrack, which complements the beautifully designed environments and enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the chill and engaging vibe, with many noting the game's ability to evoke nostalgia through its art style and sound design. While most reviews highlight the strong atmosphere, a few mention that certain areas could feel less distinct, yet overall, the game successfully creates a captivating and immersive world for exploration.
- “The soundtrack by El Huervo completes the picture with atmospheric, meandering melodies, reminiscent of the sprawling labyrinths you create underground.”
- “The atmosphere is one of the best aspects of the game... the comic-like graphics are just cute and the soundtrack is great.”
- “Amazing atmosphere and music, smooth controls, fun upgrades, challenging enough without ever being needlessly hard.”
- “It drew a lot from Hollow Knight but lacks its atmosphere.”
- “They almost get it right here but I find the atmosphere lacking and each area plays very similarly except they just change the color palettes to red for the lava world and green for the poison world.”
- “The soundtrack...the gameplay...the atmosphere...the story...everything takes me back to my childhood, when I was playing stuff like Symphony of the Night, Jazz Jackrabbit 2, Cave Story...it's such a well-made game and it quickly became one of my favorites of all time.”
grinding
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
13%
82%
Overall, player feedback on grinding in the game is mixed. While some find the grinding aspect tedious and time-consuming, particularly for completionists, many others appreciate that the game offers a balance, allowing for enjoyable progression without excessive grinding. The general consensus suggests that while some grinding is necessary for upgrades and achievements, it is not overwhelmingly burdensome and can be managed effectively.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Metroidvanias are about discovering new, game-changing methods to traverse the environment, not grinding for cash (resources serve no purpose other than trading for cash) and paying to shoot a grenade just a little farther.”
- “One thing I really liked about the first is that it didn't overstay its welcome - that is, there is no grinding and each moment of playing both SteamWorld Dig games feels new, original, and not like repetitive/lazy copy-pasting - quite a task for a game about continuously digging down to sell gems and repeat.”
- “It is boring, tedious, predictable, and just not worth the time to play it.”
- “The character progression is mostly based around grinding for cash and paying for minor upgrades once you've acquired the basic tools, which happens very early on.”
- “The gameplay is very fun and little grinding is needed, although the story is easily forgettable.”
humor
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally described as lighthearted and silly, with many players enjoying the funny interactions and quirky characters, particularly the humorous dialogues and artifact descriptions. While some found the humor to be hit-or-miss, with certain jokes feeling forced or lacking depth, the overall tone is engaging and contributes positively to the gameplay experience. Many reviewers appreciated the blend of humor with adventure and exploration, making it a fun and entertaining platformer.
- “The story is lighthearted and humorous and expanded on the world building started in the original SteamWorld Dig.”
- “The plot is engaging with its characters ranging from hilarious to sinister.”
- “Funny dialogues sincerely made me laugh at times and I am actually interested in learning more about the world.”
emotional
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a mix of heartwarming moments and a poignant ending that resonates deeply with players, often leading to tears. While some reviews note that the emotional depth may not break new ground, many appreciate the well-crafted story and character development that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game is described as both fun and touching, with a strong emotional core that builds on its predecessor.
- “The story is very good in my opinion; the end got me emotionally that I started tearing up a little.”
- “This game is one of the most heartwarming games in video game history.”
- “It really does improve upon all of the weak parts of SteamWorld Dig 1 while keeping a similar charm and then adding way more plot and an ending that made me cry.”
character development
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
29%
18%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the improvements and depth in certain characters like Fen, others find it lacking or minimal. The character designs are widely praised for their creativity and charm, contributing to the overall engaging experience, even if the narrative depth is not as strong. Overall, the game excels in character presentation and design, but the development aspect varies in significance across different characters.
- “The character development is well built and allows you to fit your own play style.”
- “The story is more engaging and better character development.”
- “Between the clear thought and polish that have gone into mechanical gameplay concerns, the creative environment and character design, and the story and dialogue which have clearly been written by actual writers, this title is a clear standout against the flood of samey, uninspired drek which we on Steam are drowning in at present.”
- “The plot and character development are nothing to write home about.”
- “While short on story or much character development, SteamWorld Dig 2 manages to get by on its charm alone.”
- “Small character development but ok.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
13%
50%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report a smooth experience with no glitches or crashes, others describe it as buggy. Notably, it runs well on platforms like Steam Deck and Linux, but the presence of bugs has been a concern for some users.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “Really fun... runs great on Linux.”
- “The game is fantastic, but buggy.”
- “Buggy mess.”
- “The game is supremely well made with no glitches or broken mechanics.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Overall, the game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly on a variety of systems, including Linux and lower-end hardware. While some users experienced occasional stuttering, this was not widespread and did not significantly detract from the overall performance, which remains high across different setups.
- “This is a great mining game with a good story, great world design, fantastic mechanics, and top performance.”
- “Linux performance is also perfect.”
- “I was very happy with the performance of the game on my Intel Haswell graphics with Mesa drivers. I didn't even have to switch to my NVIDIA; I was getting constant 40+ FPS on my Intel Haswell setup with all settings high.”
- “Occasional stuttering, but that was probably because I decided to play it on an integrated GPU to see if it could run smoothly. I loved the experience despite the low resolution.”
- “Could use a couple of patches to fix that weird stuttering issue, but it might just be me having a moment.”
- “This series keeps getting better and better. I played SteamWorld Dig on my Vita, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I was really looking forward to Dig 2. This time, instead of the Vita, I bought this game for my Linux system and was very happy with the performance on my Intel Haswell graphics with Mesa drivers. I didn't even have to switch to my NVIDIA; I was getting constant 40+ FPS on the Intel Haswell setup with all settings high.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The monetization model of this sequel is well-received, as it features no microtransactions or pay-to-win elements, allowing players to enjoy the game without additional costs. However, some players noted a recent update that served more as an advertisement for another game rather than enhancing the current experience. Overall, the game maintains a satisfying and charming experience without the burden of monetization issues.
- “They released an update announcement for this game that's actually an advertisement for a different game's podcast.”
- “And no microtransactions.”
- “+ no pay-to-win, no microtransactions.”