To accommodate the openness of each level, a map is helpfully projected onto the 3DS’ second screen to help you navigate your surroundings and show you areas that you haven’t yet explored. Enemies can take diverging paths and flank you from the left, right, above and below, and you can do the same to them. What’s more is that the levels are procedurally generated so there’s no way to learn the schematics of each, creating more challenge and variety. This gives the player the freedom to approach each level as they see fit and it also makes gameplay more unpredictable and, in turn, more exhilarating. I must point out that level design is superb the labyrinthine nature of each level provides them with verticality and alternative routes a stark and welcome contrast to games that are wholly situated on a horizontal plane. Hitting two enemies with the same projectile or getting a kill with a bullet that’s just ricocheted against two walls is the most pleasing part of the gameplay, accentuated by the slow-motion animation of a foe shattering to several pieces. Each gun reacts differently and its ballistics have their own unique trajectory, speed, power and range. I’d have to say that the gunplay is the most satisfying part of SteamWorld Heist. The game continues to build up steam as you progress through the story with other elements being introduced such as more environmental hazards and beefed-up enemies. Each turn becomes a crucial decision of whether you should make your character move, fire, melee, use an ability or buff or just remain in-situ and guard. When you’ve docked with an enemy ship, you’re confronted with deathtrap-like mazes that come with their own assortment of lasers, turrets, enemies, time-triggered alarms and explosive barrels. Each character can also be customised with different weapons, perks and, most importantly, hats. Characters (new ones can be recruited along the way) are all distinct in their appearance and special abilities for instance Sally gets an additional shot after killing an enemy and Seabrass becomes more powerful after taking damage and striking the correct balance of skills is key to survival. Before each level (you’re able to tackle different ships at various intervals) you choose which of your crew you’d like to embark on the mission. The gameplay is typical of any turn-based game with allies and enemies taking turns and is seen from a 2D sidescrolling perspective. There is a light story that gives some context to the situation Captain Piper and her crew of robotic plunderers find themselves in but overall it’s the gameplay and mechanics that take centre stage. Instead of mining, tunneling and spelunking underground however, SteamWorld Heist goes in the opposite direction and takes you into space as you commandeer a naval ship docking at space stations, defeating space bandits and collecting resources. The Swedish developer could have rode the high wave of success of the original and simply developed SteamWorld Dig 2, but instead they’ve stepped out of their comfort zone to release an entirely different game ( and it paid off!). An act that should be applauded, especially considering the tumultuous nature of game development.Īs I mentioned before, SteamWorld Heist is set in the same universe as its predecessor so you can expect to meet the same eccentric, quirky, cowboy-robotic characters and be immersed in the same colourful, steampunk atmosphere. SteamWorld Dig is a tremendous game that is mechanically rich and deep (both figuratively and literally) and SteamWorld Heist is no different. SteamWorld Heist is the newest entry into the expanded SteamWorld universe a follow up to the critically acclaimed SteamWorld Dig. The extremely talented guys and gals at Image & Form not only instantly allayed my fears, they got me to absolutely adore SteamWorld Heist’s gameplay. That being said, my reticence towards turn-based gameplay quickly evaporated just a few minutes into SteamWorld Heist‘s campaign. The idea of undoing several minutes worth of calculated and methodical planning with a single error of judgement or lapse in concentration doesn’t appeal to my gaming sensibilities. I’m not really a fan of turn-based strategy games.
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