SteamWorld Heist II

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,393 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
SteamWorld Heist II Game Cover
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.
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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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,393 reviews
story149 positive mentions
grinding48 negative mentions
  • SteamWorld Heist II improves on the original in every conceivable way, offering more content, better mechanics, and a deeper class system.
  • The game features engaging turn-based combat with a unique aiming mechanic that allows for satisfying ricochet shots and strategic gameplay.
  • The addition of an overworld exploration and naval combat adds variety and keeps the gameplay fresh, while the soundtrack by Steam Powered Giraffe enhances the overall experience.
  • The game can feel tedious at times due to the need to navigate the overworld and return to bars to rest after missions, which disrupts the flow of gameplay.
  • Some players may find the difficulty spikes and enemy reinforcements frustrating, especially in later missions where the number of enemies can become overwhelming.
  • The character progression system, while flexible, can lead to a lack of individuality among characters as they can all access similar skills and abilities.
  • story669 mentions

    The story in "SteamWorld Heist 2" is generally well-received, with many players finding it engaging and heartfelt, featuring charming characters and a more cohesive narrative compared to its predecessor. While some reviews note that the plot can feel simple or secondary to gameplay, others appreciate its humor and emotional depth, as well as the clever integration of character backstories into the mission structure. Overall, the game successfully balances storytelling with tactical gameplay, although some players feel that the narrative could be more impactful or varied.

    • “The story is brilliant.”
    • “Story was surprisingly good and heartfelt, and the new characters were as charming as the ones from the first game.”
    • “The story felt much more cohesive in this one than in the last one.”
    • “The story and characters are still a token effort, and are only there to give you (paper-thin) reasons to go forward.”
    • “The story is a bit shallow, but it's really more about compelling combat encounters.”
    • “Timer-based missions are awful, which consist of 80 percent of missions I have played so far.”
  • gameplay439 mentions

    The gameplay in Steamworld Heist II builds upon its predecessor with refined mechanics, an engaging job system, and expanded tactical elements, offering a satisfying blend of turn-based combat and exploration. Players appreciate the introduction of new features like naval combat and character progression, although some find the overworld mechanics tedious. Overall, the game is praised for its fun, strategic gameplay, vibrant visuals, and a strong soundtrack, making it a worthy sequel for fans of the series.

    • “The gameplay is rock-solid, building on the SWH1 combat and providing a varied set of missions which were a delight to play through.”
    • “Steamworld Heist II delivers an excellent blend of steampunk, pirate adventure, and tactical gameplay.”
    • “The precision aiming mechanic, where you manually aim each shot, adds a level of tension and satisfaction that keeps every mission fresh and exciting.”
    • “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.”
    • “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 tedious rattler mechanic, lack of zoom, and map navigation frustrations are notable detriments that impact the overall enjoyment.”
  • music323 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its vibrant and whimsical soundtrack composed by Steam Powered Giraffe, which enhances the game's atmosphere and complements its charming art style. Players appreciate the variety of tracks, including catchy tunes in hubs and inns, and many have expressed a desire to purchase the soundtrack separately. While some critiques mention that certain vocal tracks can be distracting, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's enjoyment and immersion.

    • “The soundtrack really fits the theme and atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Incredible soundtrack!”
    • “The music blends seamlessly with the gameplay, heightening the emotional impact and making each moment feel more significant.”
    • “The devs are sucking off that terrible ear-rape bad music band harder than ever.”
    • “The music is also terrible and repetitive.”
    • “For me, the songs just didn't fit the mood and made it hard to focus on the dialogue when they played.”
  • graphics121 mentions

    The graphics in the latest SteamWorld title have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant, colorful, and richly detailed art style, which enhances the overall gameplay experience. Many reviewers noted significant improvements in graphical fidelity and dynamic lighting compared to previous entries, while still maintaining the series' distinctive aesthetic. Although some fans miss the grittier visuals of earlier games, the updated graphics are generally seen as a positive evolution, contributing to an immersive and charming atmosphere.

    • “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 has heart; the gameplay is fun and varied; the visuals are bright, colorful, and lovingly animated; and the sound and music are top notch.”
    • “The combination of visuals and sound creates a deeply immersive experience that truly stands out.”
    • “While it is undeniable that the game looks great, I kind of miss the old art style of Heist 1 a little.”
    • “Graphically, it is on par with the previous entry which is no bad thing; it looks beautiful, and characters and levels are well designed just like the previous entry.”
    • “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).”
  • grinding50 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some appreciate the ability to level up characters and engage with the bounty system, many criticize the repetitive nature of grinding, particularly due to tedious map navigation, lack of fast travel, and the need to replay old missions for subclass leveling. Overall, the game offers a balance for casual gamers, but the grind can become overwhelming and detracts from the enjoyment for others.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “It became tedious after the first two biomes.”
    • “The gameplay is just as amazing as the first game, but the new mechanics of SteamWorld Heist 2 make it unreasonably tedious to play.”
  • replayability30 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through its diverse character builds, higher difficulty levels, and a flexible advancement system that encourages experimentation. Players appreciate the depth of combat mechanics and the satisfaction of team-building, with many expressing interest in additional content like procedurally generated modes to enhance replay value further. Overall, the combination of strategic gameplay and various completion goals ensures that players find ample reasons to return.

    • “I beat the game (story-wise) at a playtime of 28 hours and I still have to complete all levels on full stars as well as collect all the hats and level up all teammates to the max. It has lots of replay value for sure!”
    • “Infinitely replayable, as there are countless builds you can experiment with.”
    • “This flexibility not only adds to the game's replayability but also makes each mission preparation an engaging strategic puzzle of its own.”
    • “The new way character advancement works is clever and probably adds replayability, but this is already a decently long narrative game; it doesn't need that extra replayability, and the new system robs the individual characters of their identity and distinction.”
    • “Also, this is very ambitious of me, but I feel the game is in a perfect spot for some kind of procedurally generated roguelike or bonus campaign mode, and I would absolutely pay for a DLC to do something like that and even more replayability in the future.”
    • “It is replayable due to the higher difficulties and characters are not linearly unlocked, so you have room to experiment.”
  • atmosphere24 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its depth and charm, with a well-crafted world design and a soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the unique music for different areas, which complements the game's tone and adds to the immersive environment. However, some returning players feel that changes, such as a new voice actor, slightly detract from the nostalgic atmosphere they fondly remember from the first game.

    • “The soundtrack really fits the theme and atmosphere of the game.”
    • “World design and atmosphere is great and the characters are fun and likeable, and of course the music is top tier.”
    • “The atmosphere -- there has been a lot of work that has gone into crafting an experience with this game, and I'd say they really succeeded.”
    • “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.”
    • “An awesome strategy game that has great systems, challenging missions, and a light atmosphere.”
    • “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.”
  • humor23 mentions

    The game's humor is consistently praised for its sharpness and charm, featuring quirky dialogue and vibrant characters that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the clever integration of humor with gameplay mechanics, as well as the nostalgic Easter eggs, making it a delightful and engaging title. Overall, the humor adds a unique layer to the game's fun and addictive nature.

    • “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.”
    • “The silliness combined with game mechanics makes it a true gem that is a must-play for anyone with a sense of humor.”
  • emotional22 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a heartfelt story and charming characters that deepen player attachment, particularly to the Leeway crew. Players express strong emotional responses, including tears over in-game events and the whimsical theme of collecting hats, which adds a layer of poignancy to the gameplay. The seamless integration of music and art further enhances the emotional impact, making each moment feel significant and memorable.

    • “Story was surprisingly good and heartfelt, and the new characters were as charming as the ones from the first game.”
    • “There is a whole song about having a new hat, and it made me very emotional about collecting hats off my fallen foes.”
    • “'There were tears in my eyes when I found this hat; I cried.' - Archimedes”
  • character development14 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its charm and creativity, featuring well-designed characters that are both recognizable and engaging. While the character designs are fun and contribute to a lighthearted tone, some players find certain characters unlikable. Overall, the game offers a rich experience with a variety of character classes and an enjoyable story, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack.

    • “Same base concept but upgraded with a lot more to do and a very interesting twist for character development.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization13 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players praise its well-optimized performance, improved visuals, and engaging gameplay, others report significant performance issues that detract from the experience. Notably, users with high-end systems have experienced satisfactory performance, but those with less capable setups have faced challenges. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary widely among players.

    • “Well optimized, nice art, fun gameplay, challenging, lots of RPG elements.”
    • “Improved visuals over the earlier games, perfect sound, great writing, and well optimized.”
    • “The cog system allows for tons of optimization and fun builds.”
    • “Very poorly optimized.”
    • “I'm a die-hard fan of the first game, but the performance issues are ruining the experience for me.”
    • “I'm a die-hard fan of the first game, but the performance issues are ruining the experience for me.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    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.

    • “For a game advertising 150+ weapons and other things, I expect to have a long experience.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, with users reporting smooth performance and only minor issues, such as an unusually long loading screen. However, exploring unanticipated areas can lead to premature dialogue, which may disrupt immersion.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

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Play time

40hMedian play time
30hAverage play time
9-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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