SteamWorld Heist II

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 886 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

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 886 reviews
story99 positive mentions
grinding35 negative mentions
  • SteamWorld Heist II improves on the original in every way, offering more character customization, engaging gameplay, and a fun story.
  • The new job system allows for unique builds and strategies, enhancing the tactical depth of the game.
  • The game features beautiful graphics, a fantastic soundtrack, and a charming atmosphere that keeps players engaged.
  • The overworld navigation can feel tedious and may detract from the overall experience, especially with the need to return to bars to rest.
  • Some players may find the difficulty spikes and enemy reinforcements frustrating, leading to a feeling of being overwhelmed.
  • The story, while enjoyable, may not resonate with all players and can feel predictable at times.
  • story422 mentions

    The story in "Steamworld Heist 2" is generally well-received, characterized by its engaging narrative and charming characters that build on the lore of the Steamworld universe. While some players find the plot straightforward and occasionally predictable, many appreciate the emotional depth and humor woven throughout, alongside the enjoyable character arcs. The integration of mission-based gameplay with a light-hearted yet meaningful storyline enhances the overall experience, making it a compelling sequel that encourages exploration and strategic team-building.

    • “The story is more involved and the characters feel more fleshed out this time.”
    • “The story was interesting and full of twists, kept you wanting to play just one more mission, if not for that, for getting the next cool weapon or class upgrade.”
    • “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 is a bit shallow, but it's really more about compelling combat encounters.”
    • “The story and characters are still a token effort, and are only there to give you (paper-thin) reasons to go forward.”
  • gameplay269 mentions

    The gameplay of Steamworld Heist II has been widely praised for its engaging and refined mechanics, building upon the solid foundation of its predecessor. Players appreciate the introduction of new features such as a multi-class system, tactical combat with ricochet mechanics, and an exploration element that adds variety to the experience. While some find certain mechanics, like the overworld navigation and resting system, tedious, the overall consensus is that the game offers a satisfying and addictive gameplay loop that encourages experimentation and strategic planning.

    • “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 core gameplay is simply satisfying and great, and everything around it is well made.”
    • “The gameplay is enjoyable (especially lining up sniper shots), it's extremely satisfying to build a team and the multiclassing adds a ton of replayability.”
    • “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.”
    • “After a zone is fully explored, navigation turns into a boring 'drive back and forth for 5 minutes' chore that is exacerbated by the 'go back to the bar to rest after each crewmember has played 1 mission' mechanic.”
  • music199 mentions

    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 highlight specific tracks as standout moments, with the music being described as catchy, charming, and perfectly fitting for the game's whimsical setting. While some critiques mention that certain vocal tracks can be distracting, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a significant strength of the game, contributing to its enjoyment and replayability.

    • “The music is top notch, Steam Powered Giraffe knocked it out of the park once again.”
    • “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 blends seamlessly with the gameplay, heightening the emotional impact and making each moment feel more significant.”
    • “I really dislike the music in bars.”
    • “The only two things that were subpar for me were the songs by Steam Powered Giraffe and the final boss.”
    • “For me, the songs just didn't fit the mood and made it hard to focus on the dialogue when they played.”
  • graphics73 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful and charming art style, which has been notably improved from previous entries in the series. Players appreciate the vibrant colors, detailed character designs, and cohesive aesthetic that enhances the overall experience, although some express nostalgia for the older art style. The combination of stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack creates an immersive atmosphere that complements the engaging gameplay.

    • “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 art style is beautifully charming, and the world-building pulls you in immediately.”
    • “While it is undeniable that the game looks great, I kind of miss the old art style of Heist 1 a little.”
    • “Fans of other SteamWorld titles may somewhat miss the grimier aesthetics of the other games, but this game isn't a downgrade by any means.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding36 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a tedious experience, often detracting from overall enjoyment. Players express frustration with the lack of fast travel, excessive map navigation, and the need for repetitive farming to achieve goals, which can test patience rather than skill. While some appreciate the casual gameplay and rewards without feeling overly grindy, many feel that the new mechanics introduced in the sequel have made the grinding experience more cumbersome compared to the original game.

    • “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.”
    • “The overworld is tedious, as it's essentially here to inflate gameplay time through not-so-good real-time combat.”
  • replayability21 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players noting a lack of a New Game Plus option and limited motivation beyond achievements, while others praise the deep combat mechanics, character advancement systems, and diverse build options that significantly enhance replay value. Many players find the game endlessly replayable due to its variety of missions, gear, and strategies, though some feel that the lengthy narrative may not require additional replayability. Overall, while some aspects may limit replayability, the game offers enough variety and challenges to keep players engaged.

    • “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 none; 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.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    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 deep attachment to the characters and moments, with some even moved to tears by specific events and the whimsical nature of the game. The combination of unique art style and engaging RPG elements contributes to a strong emotional connection, making it a memorable experience.

    • “I can feel my heart breaking.”
    • “'There were tears in my eyes when I found this hat; I cried.' - Archimedes.”
    • “Story was surprisingly good and heartfelt, and the new characters were as charming as the ones from the first game.”
  • humor13 mentions

    The game's humor is consistently praised for its charm and vibrancy, featuring quirky dialogue and humorous 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 adds a delightful layer to the engaging gameplay and nostalgic references.

    • “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.”
  • atmosphere13 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging art direction, unique music, and nostalgic elements that resonate with returning players. While some note a shift in voice acting that may detract from the overall experience, the carefully curated soundtrack and world design contribute to a rich and enjoyable ambiance. Overall, the game successfully crafts a memorable atmosphere that enhances both the tactical gameplay and storytelling.

    • “Each area has its own unique music and it really complements the atmosphere.”
    • “The awesome art direction together with the great music creates a very nice, enjoyable atmosphere and experience.”
    • “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.”
    • “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 development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by vibrant and unique character designs that contribute to a lighthearted and engaging atmosphere. While some characters may come off as unlikable, the overall charm and depth of the character classes offer players a variety of strategic options. The game is praised for its well-crafted visuals and an impressive soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “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.”
    • “The character designs are fun and charming, and the overall tone is lighthearted and enjoyable.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, user reviews on optimization are mixed; while some players report smooth performance and effective system utilization on high-end setups, others experience significant performance issues that detract from the gameplay experience. The game's cog system offers opportunities for optimization and enjoyable builds, but the disparity in performance suggests that optimization may not be consistent across all systems.

    • “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 ruining the experience.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game is stable, with only minor issues such as occasional long loading times and early dialogue triggers in unexpected locations. The experience is generally smooth, and it performs well on various platforms, including the Steam Deck.

    • “Stability-wise, it runs great for me, and I only ever encountered one 'bug' where a loading screen took ten times longer than usual. Besides that, it was a smooth ride. However, if you go to places that the game doesn't anticipate, you may find dialogue too early, which can break immersion or just not make sense in context.”
    • “Great sequel; runs great on the deck too.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Players feel that the monetization strategy could be improved, as they expect a more extensive gameplay experience to match the game's promise of over 150 weapons and items.

    • “For a game advertising 150+ weapons and other items, I expect to have a long and fulfilling experience.”
    • “The monetization model feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, which detracts from the overall gameplay experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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Play time

33hMedian play time
28hAverage play time
20-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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