SteamWorld Heist II

SteamWorld Heist II is made with plenty of heart and effort to create an amazing adventure that never feels bad. Don’t be afraid to stop by and make your own legend. It’s worth it.

87%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, monetization

96% User Score Based on 1,772 reviews

Critic Score 79%Based on 31 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $11.95

Buy NowGet on Steam$29.99

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

In "SteamWorld Heist II" , Captain Leeway and his Steambot crew must uncover the source of a deadly water crisis threatening the Great Sea. Take aim with strategic gunplay, using the environment to outmaneuver enemies and protect your crew. Customize your crew's abilities, equipment, and weapons as you navigate the dangers of the ocean and plunder for resources in this turn-based strategy adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,803 reviews

story200 positive mentions

grinding70 negative mentions

Improves on the original in every way, with enhanced gameplay mechanics and a more engaging story.
The new job system allows for greater customization and strategic depth, making character builds more interesting.
The game features a charming art style and an excellent soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.

story
850 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
74%
2%
The story in "Steamworld Heist 2" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative and character development, which builds on the lore of the Steamworld universe. While some find the plot straightforward and predictable, others enjoy the light-hearted tone and humor, alongside the emotional depth that emerges as the game progresses. The addition of an overworld exploration mechanic and a job-class system enhances the storytelling experience, although some players feel that mission repetition and pacing issues detract from the overall narrative impact.
- “The story is more impactful, the game has more room for experimenting and playing around (rewards you for doing so!), and it just has a way of pulling you in and making you feel more invested.”
- “The story felt much more cohesive in this one than in the last one. The motives of each character were very clear and it's real nice to see plot points beyond just 'we need to defeat these guys because they're bad'.”
- “Steamworld Heist II is a breath of fresh air in the gaming world, delivering a captivating mix of engaging storytelling, stunning visuals, and innovative gameplay mechanics.”
- “The story lost... steam... in the second half, and the final boss was a chore, but, man, was I happy to see this come out (especially after that last attempt by different devs).”
- “The story and characters are still a token effort, and are only there to give you (paper-thin) reasons to go forward.”
- “If you play games mostly for the story and writing, this won't be the game for you.”
gameplay
545 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
55%
3%
The gameplay of Steamworld Heist II has been widely praised for its engaging tactical mechanics, refined from the original, with new features like a multiclass system and naval combat that enhance the experience. While some players found the overworld navigation tedious and certain mechanics frustrating, the core turn-based combat remains satisfying and addictive, offering a blend of strategy and fun that keeps players invested. Overall, the game successfully builds on its predecessor, providing a rich and enjoyable gameplay loop that appeals to both new and returning fans.
- “The core gameplay is simply satisfying and great, and everything around it is well made.”
- “What a marvelous game, the turn-based, bullet ricocheting gameplay is as fun and satisfying as ever, the game looks absolutely wonderful, with a great cast of characters, beautiful backgrounds, and some lovely lighting.”
- “The gameplay is rock-solid, building on the SWH1 combat and providing a varied set of missions which were a delight to play through.”
- “The tedious rattler mechanic, lack of zoom, and map navigation frustrations are notable detriments that impact the overall enjoyment.”
- “Neat idea, but when I just want to sit down and play the game, it's really annoying that it takes me ten minutes of scouring the map and dodging enemies on the seas to get to a mission, which is the gameplay I seek.”
- “The consistent over-reliance on uncreative cheap shots the game takes is something they should've done away with ages ago and it was a problem since the first Steamworld Heist, and even in other, mechanically different games, like Steamworld Quest, it was the main point of negativity.”
music
405 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
42%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its engaging and diverse soundtrack composed by Steam Powered Giraffe, which enhances the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the gameplay. Many players highlighted specific tracks as standout moments, with some even nominating the soundtrack for awards. While most reviews praised the music, a few noted that certain vocal tracks could be distracting, but overall, the music is considered a significant strength of the game.
- “The music blends seamlessly with the gameplay, heightening the emotional impact and making each moment feel more significant.”
- “The soundtrack is just perfect for the vibe of the game and it includes a bunch of songs recorded with a full band including vocals.”
- “The music is top notch; Steam Powered Giraffe knocked it out of the park once again.”
- “I really dislike the music in bars.”
- “The music itself isn't the problem, but I don't think it works with the game.”
- “For me, the songs just didn't fit the mood and made it hard to focus on the dialogue when they played.”
graphics
152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
3%
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful, charming art style and improved visual fidelity compared to previous entries in the series. Players appreciate the vibrant colors, detailed character designs, and the seamless integration of visuals with the engaging soundtrack, which enhances the overall immersive experience. While some fans miss the older art style, the new aesthetic is generally viewed as a refined evolution that maintains the franchise's unique identity.
- “The graphics are beautiful, music is phenomenal and it's simply a well-thought-out adventure.”
- “Steamworld Heist II is a breath of fresh air in the gaming world, delivering a captivating mix of engaging storytelling, stunning visuals, and innovative gameplay mechanics.”
- “The combination of visuals and sound creates a deeply immersive experience that truly stands out.”
- “I kind of miss the old art style of Heist 1 a little.”
- “The aesthetics may also not be to some people's taste (you might like scrappy spacepunk more than you like steampunk pirates of the Caribbean for example).”
- “This one foregoes the unique 'scrappy space pirate' aesthetic for a more standard Pirates of the Caribbean setting.”
grinding
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The reviews highlight a significant amount of grinding in the game, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to mechanics like random hat farming and the lack of fast travel. While some appreciate the casual gameplay and engaging elements, others feel that the grinding detracts from overall enjoyment, making battles more about patience than skill. Overall, the game is seen as fun but could benefit from reducing grind-related frustrations.
- “Super fun, and not tedious to do any mission on really any difficulty at all. I hope they add more DLC to this game in the future; it would be the cherry on top of a delicious cupcake.”
- “The gameplay is just as amazing as the first game, but the new mechanics of SteamWorld Heist 2 make it unreasonably tedious to play.”
- “I never felt strong enough to activate a subclass on a new mission, so I always replayed old levels to level up my subclasses, which led to tedium and grinding.”
- “Their ability to multiply exponentially becomes tedious quickly, and without a reasonable cap on their numbers, the battles test your patience more than your skills.”
replayability
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
Replayability in the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it nearly limitless due to diverse builds, character advancement, and numerous missions, others feel it lacks depth, particularly without a New Game Plus option. The introduction of new mechanics and challenges adds variety, but some players believe the lengthy narrative diminishes the need for additional replayability. Overall, many appreciate the strategic elements and character customization that encourage multiple playthroughs, though opinions vary on the game's overall replay value.
- “These hidden gems add layers of fun and replayability.”
- “Endless replayability: with tons of missions, gear, and strategies to explore, you’ll keep coming back for more.”
- “It is replayable due to the higher difficulties and characters are not linearly unlocked so you have room to experiment.”
- “An amazing game, even if the replayability is almost nonexistent. There lacks a New Game Plus option, which the first SteamWorld Heist game had, and I played it three times over with different characters, having great enjoyment. The only thing I’d come back to do in this game is the achievements, which are fun, but one in particular needs a lot of grinding due to hats being completely random.”
- “Not much replayability, but I definitely got my money's worth.”
- “This also removes any replayability.”
emotional
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt storytelling, charming characters, and impactful music that enhances the overall experience. Players express a strong attachment to the characters and moments, with some even moved to tears by specific events and the whimsical nature of the game, such as a song about collecting hats. While some feel the game could allow for deeper sentiment, the colorful art style and quirky humor contribute to a fun and engaging emotional journey.
- “I can feel my heart breaking.”
- “'There were tears in my eyes when I found this hat; I cried.' - Archimedes”
- “The music blends seamlessly with the gameplay, heightening the emotional impact and making each moment feel more significant.”
humor
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is consistently praised for its charm and vibrancy, featuring quirky dialogue and funny character interactions that resonate with fans. Players appreciate the clever balance of humor with tension and emotion in the story, alongside amusing gameplay mechanics like shooting hats off enemies. Overall, the humor is described as sharp and engaging, making it a standout aspect of the game that enhances the overall experience.
- “The game's humor remains a charming constant.”
- “Characters are vibrant and full of personality, with humor and style that fans of the series will love.”
- “Shooting the hats off of enemies will never get any less hilarious.”
atmosphere
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
50%
12%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging art direction, unique music, and overall immersive experience, successfully capturing the charm of the original while enhancing it with deeper tactical elements. However, some players feel that the new voice actor's performance does not fully resonate with the nostalgic atmosphere of the previous installment, creating a slight disconnect for returning fans. Overall, the combination of thoughtful world design and a carefully curated soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's enjoyable ambiance.
- “The awesome art direction together with the great music creates a very nice, enjoyable atmosphere and experience.”
- “World design and atmosphere is great and the characters are fun and likeable, and of course the music is top tier.”
- “While the new voice actor brings his own style, the shift doesn't quite capture the same atmosphere, leaving a nostalgic void for returning players.”
- “But that aside, it's a much more tactically deep game and it has a much better atmosphere in my opinion (the world map does a lot here).”
- “Each track is carefully curated to complement the game's tone and atmosphere, whether you're strategizing your next move in battle or simply soaking in the environment.”
character development
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Character development in the game is highlighted by vibrant and unique character designs that contribute to a lighthearted and enjoyable tone. While the designs are charming and engaging, some players find certain characters unlikable. Overall, the game offers a rich experience with a variety of character classes and an interesting twist on development, enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack.
- “Engaging strategic turn-based combat that really makes you try your best to figure out the most optimal path, vibrant character design that makes everyone feel unique, and one of the best soundtracks a steam-bot could ever hope for!”
- “Great tactics game with fantastic music, fun character designs, and so many options on how to play with character classes.”
- “Has a lot of soul put into it from the graphics to the character design and the soundtrack.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players report smooth performance on high-end systems with no issues, others express frustration with significant performance problems that detract from the experience. The cog system is praised for its potential for optimization and fun builds, alongside improved visuals and sound. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary widely among users.
- “The cog system allows for tons of optimization and fun builds.”
- “Improved visuals over the earlier games, perfect sound, great writing, and well optimized.”
- “Well optimized, nice art, fun gameplay, challenging, lots of RPG elements.”
- “Very poorly optimized”
- “I'm a die-hard fan of the first game, but the performance issues are killing the game so badly.”
- “Very poorly optimized”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, with users reporting smooth performance and only minor issues, such as an unusually long loading screen and occasional immersion-breaking dialogue when exploring unexpected areas. It is also noted to run well on the Steam Deck.
- “Stability-wise, it runs great for me and I only ever encountered one 'bug' where a loading screen took 10 times longer than usual, but besides that, it was a smooth ride.”
- “Great sequel, runs great on the deck too.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express disappointment with the monetization model, feeling that the game's advertised content, such as 150+ weapons, does not translate into a sufficiently lengthy or engaging experience. This suggests a disconnect between expectations set by marketing and the actual gameplay duration.
- “For a game advertising 150+ weapons and other things, I expect to have a long experience.”