#STEAMWORLD HEIST REVIEW FULL#

The planet has exploded, so where before you were blundering the rocky depths for loot, you’re now stealing it from space pirates and government. I often felt my characters were just a step shy of the cover or shot I’d like to take, adding ripples to my strategy. After striking gold with SteamWorld Dig, Image & Form Games continue to build on their robo-punk universe with SteamWorld Heist, a 2D turn based strategy-shooter hybrid. I did feel badass when I landed impossible shots or ricocheted behind cover. It doesn’t help that the robots breath and move slightly while aiming. Players aim manually, and most weapons don’t have a laser sight, so long shots miss often. It’s a pretty brilliant progression system that drove me to replay levels if I lost a character or missed a chest.Ĭharacters move throughout each ship by taking a limited number of steps, highlighted in orange, before shooting or by “sprinting” to a further tile outlined in blue and giving up their shot for that turn. Stars represent Piper’s reputation, allowing her to intimidate blockades on the map, buy rare items and recruit new crewmates.

#STEAMWORLD HEIST REVIEW FULL#

Clearing every objective and nabbing the “epic swag” will net full stars for that level. Most missions have another objective, like reaching a specific point or taking out an important enemy. After all, it's that comfortable woolly beanie of a Double-A game.Each level is a randomly generated spaceship Piper’s crew must plunder and escape. Steamworld Heist will always hook me back in. I'd say that Steamworld Heist accomplishes hat collection and the gunplay of shooting hats off enemies' heads better than the triple-A Sombrero of Red Dead Redemption 2. The narrative is pretty bare-boned, but the interaction between characters is quite hilarious which also elevates the whole steampunk world.įor an indie studio, this small addition of hats elevates Steamworld Heist from a good game to a Top Hat Production. You expect this level of immersion in a triple-A strategy game like XCOM 2.

It feels like camaraderie, deepening connection with your squad. I always select a hilarious new hat for each member of my crew before a mission - but the big Russian Ivanski always rocks a nurse's cap. The visual enjoyment of actually seeing your character wearing a new hat creates a sense of freshness even if the game mechanics can eventually become repetitive. I've played through five difficulty levels and upgraded skills for all ten teammates but I still haven't found all of the hats. Steamworld Heist has a big replayability factor with the New Game+ transferring your hat collection. It definitely keeps you coming back for more. Nothing better than the sight of your enemies' bald shiny hatless metal domes and your next favourite hat. Even missed headshots have the benefit of hat acquisition - but don't make a habit of it. Pinging your shot off three walls before you find your mark from an impossible angle is sublime. Guns with long laser sights give you even more precision with a ricochet guide. The intuitive 2D aiming mechanic allows for precision shots, as most weapons have the capacity to ricochet bullets off the environment for pinball-like trick moves. The most entertaining way to acquire hats is by shooting them straight off enemies' heads, like a gunslinging badass.

They don't improve your character stats, but shouldn't looking cool be a stat? (Thankfully, Cyperpunk 2077 does have a cool stat. No self-respecting robot pirate should be seen hatless in this steampunk world.Īlong my numerous turn-based treks through multiple enemy spaceships, I've collected hundreds of weapons, consumables and useful gadgets, but I'm truly fishing for that sweet incentive of a hat. Captain Piper Faraday leads a ragtag team of ten steam-driven robot pirates with unique skills and a joint affinity for snappy headgear. I'm chucking Steamworld Heist into the ring. Such a brilliant thing to play with: you could pretend you were Oddjob throwing his bowler hat at James Bond. When hats and gaming combine, the first game I generally think of is Mario Odyssey and Cappy! The greatest cap in the world. Double-A games are like a comfortable woolly beanie, simple and warm.

Steamworld heist review