Steamworld Heist 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved turn-based strategy shooter set in the imaginative SteamWorld universe. Brought to us by Thunderfull Development and Thunderfull Publishing, you set sail on the high seas of a steampunk-inspired ocean world. Players will again take command of a ragtag crew of steam-powered pirate robots. 

You embark on a high-seas adventure set in a post-apocalyptic Earth. The story follows Captain Quicy Leeway, a Steambot pirate striving to escape the shadow of his legendary mother, Krakenbane. When a mysterious corrosion known as “Rust” begins contaminating the water vital for Steambot survival, Captain Leeway and his crew set out to uncover the source and help save the future of Steambots.  

Steamworld Heist 2 builds upon its predecessor’s tactical foundation, offering a rich blend of strategic depth and engaging mechanics. Whilst the game retains its signature 2D, side-scrolling turn-based combat, it feels a little more fluid this time around. This game introduces a new job system, which means characters can now switch classes by equipping different primary weapons, allowing for diverse abilities and playstyles.

The new system encourages customisation so players can play the game how they want and in a comfortable way. Looking past the combat side of things, the game also introduces a new real-time submarine exploration, allowing players to navigate the expansive overworld and engage in cool naval battles. This game has over 30 hours of gameplay, which offers an experience combining combat, strategic and immersive exploration. 

This game has surprised me with how immersive it is with its gameplay, audio, and graphics, but the audio needed to stand out to me. The soundtrack is composed by Steam Powered Giraffe, which blew this project out of the park with a collection of 15 original full-length songs created specifically for this game, which has blended a steampunk flair with a twist of pirate melodies, which was a great addition to the game.

I felt the need to adjust the sounds a little as the gunshots and explosions sound a little over-bearing on the audio tracks, which is not the biggest drama in the world but is something that could almost have been set from the studio as the soundtrack is one of those you want to listen to and not so much the other sounds. The audio sounds got a little older and sounded very quickly, with the gunshots sounding the same until you unlock more members. Then, you can hear different noises, but the soundtrack made up for that tenfold. 

I was impressed with the controls and surprised by how well-tuned and optimised for precision they were on the PlayStation 5. It allowed players to embrace the game’s signature ricochet shooting mechanic. Navigating the crew across the 2D side-scrolling environment was super simplistic, and I never scratched my head trying to figure out where I was going.

The inputs were smooth and responsive for something you would ideally want to play on the PC. I found shooting weapons took a little bit of getting used to with the adjustments, and it ended up being easier just letting the gun glide to where it needed to be.

Compared to the first game, this one also adds a fresh layer of exploration with overworld sailing. Whether navigating across the map or getting amongst the battles, the game feels quite optimised for PlayStation 5, which, as I mentioned before, was surprising. 

The game looked absolutely stunning with its signature visual style, a rich, vibrant, and detailed cartoon aesthetic that brings the world to life. Adventuring away from the first one’s space theme goes into this beautiful oceanic experience.

I was also impressed with the character designs, each with its unique design and unique characteristics. I was impressed with how the developers have made this game look stunning and how they’ve brought a somewhat realistic feel with the lighting and shading to a cartoon-style game. 

Steamworld Heist 2 is a beautifully crafted game that delivers on every front, from its engaging story and stunning visuals to its surprisingly rich and immersive audio design. It builds on the charm and tactical depth of the original while introducing fresh ideas and keeping the game exciting. You can pick up Steamworld Heist 2 on the PlayStation Store for AUD $44.95, a great value. 

Written by: Hayden Nelson