After releasing the sublime SteamWorld Dig, many expected Image & Form to go the safe route of producing a follow up that more or less built on that foundation. Though we would eventually receive SteamWorld Dig 2, the company chose to defy expectations and make SteamWorld Heist, a game which belongs to another genre entirely. Now, it's arriving on the Switch in the form of SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition, and as expected this iteration lives up to its name.
First, let's address that "Ultimate" part of the title. This version of SteamWorld Heist contains all previously released DLC, along with some certain extra content not in the original release. In addition to this, optional touch screen controls are included, which are just as useful as traditional button controls. Of course, the real draw here is the ability to play the game in HD both on the go and at home; it plays brilliantly in either configuration, though this writer particularly enjoyed playing it in portable mode. At any rate, there's been nothing lost in the translation to a new platform, and having all the extra content included really helps to round out the package nicely.
The premise of SteamWorld Heist is quite a bit different than its Dig brethren, taking place in a separate part of the timeline. You primarily play the role of Captain Piper Faraday, a “Cowbot” captain with a team of mercs-for-hire who travel the stars in a desperate struggle for survival in the wake of the Earth’s destruction. The story can be surprisingly involved at times, and ties together with the broader SteamWorld storyline in exciting and unexpected ways.
The main gameplay of SteamWorld Heist is quite different from the Metroidvania inclinations of its Dig brethren. Though it’s still a 2D action game, SteamWorld Heist is an XCOM-like turn-based strategy game, with some elements that rely more directly on player skill. The tactical element sees you manoeuvring your team through procedural levels, figuring out how to best search the ships and dispatch enemies. The skill element comes with how you attack your enemies; manually aiming each character’s gun and ricocheting bullets off walls to get around cover.
Your team is as diverse as it is sizeable, with different characters that suit a variety of playstyles. Different classes dictate the kinds of guns that each character can use, with everything from snipers to grenade launchers to shotguns being fair game. Properly kitting out a well-balanced team is essential to success, and the different mission types do a great job of encouraging you to switch things up regularly. A mission that features tightly focused squads of enemies, for example, might be best overcome by using a demolitions-focused team. New characters are made available at a decent clip, too, and though many of them share the same classes, each one has their own quirks and personalities that make them feel unique.
Rotating team members is especially encouraged due to how experience points are only awarded to those who partake in a given mission, and most characters really start to hit their stride after you level them up a couple times. Though you’ll occasionally be given stat boosts that increase health or movement range, the real upgrades come in the unique character abilities that greatly boost their effectiveness in certain situations. Piper, for example, has an ability that buffs that damage output of characters around her, while also allowing her the option to heal them. Billy has an ability that grants him additional movement capability if he successfully kills an enemy with a melee strike. Each character becomes more unique as you develop them, and it can be genuinely exciting to see them evolve as you move them up. Suffice to say, you won’t be at much of a loss for options when it comes to team arrangement, and that’s before you factor swag into the equation.
Each mission has a series of swag bags sitting around, and once you successfully complete the mission these are then opened. Many of them contain water — the game’s currency — but a few pieces of loot are also handed out each time. These can either take the shape of new guns or “utilities”, which are equippable items that you can give two of to each character. These have a wide array of applications, be it extending health and movement, or giving your character an additional attack option. Surplus or unwanted utilities can then be sold off for water, which you can then invest in the many shops you pass through on your journey to get better stuff that fits your team. This whole loot system is brilliantly implemented and is one of the primary motivating forces of progression in SteamWorld Heist; it’s always exciting when a mission ends to see what you’ve gotten this time around.
For a download game, SteamWorld Heist boasts a surprising amount of content and replay value. The story lasts for about fifteen hours and maintains a fantastic pace; just when you’re starting to get used to a given enemy type or mission, the game throws in another curveball to ratchet things up another notch. As this is the definitive edition of the game, the Outsider DLC expansion is integrated into the main game, with all levels, characters, weapons and hats included right from the off. Couple all this with a fascinating New Game Plus mode, and you’ve got a game that will last you for quite a long time. After all, why not do another run and challenge yourself by prioritizing another team setup? It’s that constant encouragement of experimentation that keeps one engaged in the game, and the broad variety of tactical options leaves quite a hefty sum of possibilities.
From a presentation standpoint, SteamWorld Heist is an absolute delight. The charming steampunk artstyle that the SteamWorld games are known for is here in full force, and the early 1930’s-style voiceovers add a certain vintage quality to cutscenes. There's plenty of lighthearted humour present, too. Dialogue between characters plays into this, and the things your characters sometimes shout when they get pegged by a bullet will put a smile on your face. All characters can also wear a hat into battle, with plenty of ridiculous options available as you build a collection. The soundtrack does a great job of matching the industrial theme, too, providing a series of plodding tracks that evoke the sounds of a steadily running machine. It’s great music for the thoughtful pace of gameplay, while also being quite applicable to a combat setting. Overall, this is a stylish game that clearly understands its identity well and fully embraces it.
Conclusion
SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition is a fantastic port of a fantastic game, and it fits perfectly on the Switch. Deep, engaging gameplay and stylish presentation combine to make this one of the standout indie releases of the year; this is a great example of a well put-together game. If you are at all a fan of strategy games, or are just looking for a fun diversion to occupy your time over the next couple weeks, pick up this game. It puts a neat twist on standard turn-based strategy gameplay, and stands as another fantastic entry in the SteamWorld series.
Comments 51
This game always gets super high reviews but on the Wii U I just didn't like it at all. It's not my style I guess. I'll just stick with SteamWorld Dig.
Nice score. Another for my wish list I suppose.
Does it use rumble in any way? That may actually determine whether or not I wait to buy this.
I have the physical collection on Wii U with Steamworld Dig so I won't be double dipping but I highly recommend this one. Easily my favourite Steamworld game, it's a fine strategy title with lovely presentation.
I can’t really justify double dipping as I already spent $20 on it once, but I do like the game a lot. Now I want to go back and play it again sometime.
It's such an amazing game. Easily the best of the SteamWorld games so far in my opinion. Played through it on the 3DS like three times but I'll still be double dipping on the Switch.
Not sure why I bothered reading the review when I already know I'm double dipping. Image and Form has my money for anything the announce.
I will read any review that quotes Col. John Hannibal Smith. Well played!
Will hold out for physical release
@Fazermint Much the way I'm holding out for a physical SteamWorld Dig Collection.
Such a great game, I have Dig on Wii U and Heist on 3DS, both completely different but fantastic.
Well, seeing as how I originally bought it on 3DS, bought it again on my iPhone, and I still long to play it on my Switch... looks like I'm going in for the triple-dip!
Double time for me. The best Steamworld from my point of view. Look forward to the next Image & form game.
So is there any content in the Switch version not included in the Wii U Steamworld Collection? If so, what is it?
I got it on the 3ds and Wii U. Great game
Buying a game = good
Double dipping = I love this
Triple dipping = I want to experience this everywhere
Quadruple dipping = Please call my family I need an intervention
I bought it day one on 3DS. Absolutely adored it. Completed it in a week. (Two playthroughs, normal and hardest difficulty.) Bought the DLC and finished it in couple of days as well. Recently got the physical Wii U version with both Dig and Heist. I love SteamWorld games and Image & Form. I don't need to play Heist right now, though. I'll pick it up on Switch eventually when I want to revisit it.
I want these games on cart as a collection.
I have bought this a couple of times, will do again when a physical version is released.
I own it both physically and digitally on Wii U so, sorry Image & Form, you're not getting any more money from me.
I have it on the iPad. Still unfinished. For some reason it hasn't grabbed me the same way as similar games in the same genre.
Never thought I would be interested in a turn-based combat game... but I loved Dig on 3DS so I tried it... it was quite fun and very exciting.
I think it's better to play through the main game and then go complete the DLC missions... is there a way to do this?
I would definitely buy a physical release of Dig/Dig2/Heist on Switch...
If it was a tad cheaper I'd get it to go with the other three versions I own. Excellent game
So is there anything new in this compared to the Wii u version and dlc?? The review is very unclear about this tbh.
@ULTRA-64
No. It just includes and integrates the DLC from the start.
I was very impressed with Steamworld Dig 2. Definitely picking this one up.
I love this game!
@neufel Did this with Rayman. Bought on Wii U, then got it used on the Vita. Had I known it was coming out on Switch (or even knew what it was at the time), I would have passed on it. Oh well.
What do you mean by "certain content not in the original release?"
Doubt it's anything major. Won't be buying Day One as I already own it and the DLC for PS4 but one of these days it'll be marked half off and then it will be mine.
I have never play this game so I'm buying it.
My all-time favorite games many are strategy games, still i don't buy same games that i have already on earlier consoles.
Love how the game looks like but I´m not sure if I should go with this one or Dig 2...
Was really enjoying this on 3ds till got stuck on a level where I couldn't seem to damage a boss.
Really should go back to it.
This is definitely a purchase I'll consider for my future Switch. I'm almost happy that I waited this long since this looks like the definitive version of the game.
It would be awesome if Image and Form would update and release their Steamworld tower defense title from the Nintendo Dsi eshop on the Switch.
This was my 2016 GotY, I loved every aspect of it on 3DS and was always curious how it held up on the big screen!
As soon as Ive got the money I'll be double dipping to find out!
@Romeo-75 Yeah, they could even just include it in one of their games.
Have this on 3DS and it was amazing. I will definitely double dip when I find the time
I wish this was more around $15, considering it's a port, and many have already purchased this.
A truly wonderful game that I think I enjoyed even more than either of the Dig games. When it gets a great sale on the Switch, then I might buy it again.
@Danito Get Dig 2 while it's on sale. This one definitely needs to be played though.
I played through this on the 3ds nearly 3 times and I said I don't need it yet again but just looking at these images makes me want to play it. I will probably pick it up on sale down the road. Too much to play right now anyways.
Was gonna hold off, but the temptation to play this on my Switch is proving to be too much. I’ll be buying it as soon as I can tomorrow morning and embarking on my third play through.
100% this on Steam and I would recommend it to anyone who loves actual challenge and strategy. Everything really is up to you and your skills. Luck is minimal.
@BezBot I'm with you, I love the Dig series but didn't get into this one at all.
I love this game. Wish I hadn't already completed it on PS4!
This time I will finish you Steamworld Heist! Thank goodness for portable nature of switch to promote playtime in my busy life! My TV is located in basement... and boy is it cold down there! Portable = Warm upstairs!
Great game, but no way it's a 9. Finished it on 3DS. No plans to revisit.
Picked this game dirt cheap on Steam a while ago alongside Dig 1, both are pretty fun.
Currently with my eyes set on Dig 2, i might pick it up after i reduce my current backlog a bit.
I would love to get this on the Switch but it's only 5 bucks on Steam and the other Nintendo systems. Sometimes I hate the Switch tax.
@neufel I am starting to question the very same purchasing patterns. Somehow I justify buying the same game multiple times. Honey...I need it again it’s on the Switch...but what about the utility bills?...wait what about my ability to play my favorite games on the way to work to arrive in an excellent go get ‘em mode and achieve excellence. I need help. Happy Gaming!!!! Brother. Merry Christmas!
Didn't even know this was on Switch! On sale right now so it's a no brainer, loooooved it on 3DS!
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