Product Info

Platform

Switch, PlayStation 4, PC

Publisher

Image & Form

Developer

Image & Form

Series

SteamWorld

Genre

Action, Adventure, Platform, Puzzle

Players

1

File Size (Minimum)

399.33 MB

Release Date (NA)

Sep 21, 2017

Purchase From

eShop

PSN Store

Steam

It’s been four years since the first SteamWorld Dig was initially released. While mining is the same objective, this Metroid-styled game has received positive upgrades, making it not only a successful sequel but a must-own game for your gaming library.

Wanted: Rusty

SteamWorld Dig 2 is a world filled with robots and steam technology. You play as Dorothy who is searching for Rusty, the protagonist from the first SteamWorld Dig. In her search, she stumbles upon Fen, a remnant of the once high-tech world of Vectron. Fen comes off as a sassy little sprite that likes destruction and always suggests to Dorothy that she hurt herself. Fen, however, doesn’t follow Dorothy around and stays inside her robot body until key moments arrive. Think of Navi from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time but more comical and less annoying.

However, Rusty’s disappearance isn’t the only problem; earthquakes have been happening quite frequently since he went missing. Upon finding out that machines are causing the earthquakes, Dorothy believes they are related to Rusty and ventures into the mines to find them and Rusty.

Just like in SteamWorld Dig, the characters in this game are amusing and mysterious. From the robots that live peacefully on the surface to the humans that dwell deep in the mines, despising them, each character has a personality that will guide or go against Dorothy and her companion. Among the more interesting ones is the comical but serious cult of robots that are seeking the end of the world. Dorothy and Fen must fend them off to stop the earthquakes, and some of these encounters will lead you to the enigmatic world of Vectron, a creepy and eerie place from which no robot has ever returned.

What’s Old is New

SteamWorld Dig 2 has made many improvements both great and small that help enhance the gameplay. For example, instead of turning in materials to level up, Dorothy now does it by defeating enemies. You can still turn in materials to earn money to upgrade your weapons and accessories, though.

Like its predecessor, Dorothy can upgrade herself with steam-powered gear. While some gear is simply used to help break apart tough walls, others are more unique such as flying and powering-up golems. Most of the gear requires the use of water, which is governed by a gauge. Fortunately, you can upgrade it to hold more as you progress. When it’s empty, simply place your character in water, and the gauge will automatically refill. Unlike SteamWorld Dig, the water source never runs out so you may return back to the original spot if needed.

The ability to fly is one of the best upgrades the game has to offer, making traveling across platforms a lot easier. The gear does not require water to operate, but there is a limit for how long you can fly. To regenerate your gauge, you’ll just need to land and wait. That said, players will need to be careful since falling from an extreme height can kill your character.

One of the newest features in the game is collecting artifacts. By collecting them, you can exchange them for blueprints. By earning blueprints, you can unlock enhancements for your gear. While not essential, it’s another opportunity to upgrade your equipment.

Rare items that are obtained by exploring the mines are typically hard to find, but they are worth the hassle. While SteamWorld Dig uses orbs, SteamWorld Dig 2 has cogs. In SteamWorld Dig, once you use your orbs for your gear, you never get them back. With the cogs, you have the ability to re-use them for other modifications to your gear. Not only can you upgrade Dorothy’s weapons, you can also display enemy health bars, reduce your fall speed when flying, teleport back to the game’s town, and enhance dodging falling rocks.

When exploring, you’ll be doing a lot of backtracking when doing quests and finding artifacts, cogs, and materials. Retracing your steps can be a chore, but the game has set up tubes from the surface to various parts of the underground, which makes getting around much quicker. Moreover, the game’s map has also been improved since SteamWorld Dig. There are now more indicators for cave locations, completed caves, and tube locations; plus, it’s more colorful. It makes traveling a lot easier and less complicated.

More Than Just Quests

While completing quests is important, exploring caves is equally so. Each cave is different from the others, requiring problem-solving skills to finish, but doing so will reward you with artifacts, cogs, and high-profit materials.

If you are aiming to unlock and upgrade your equipment, completing the game’s puzzles will be necessary. Since the riches obtained ultimately make exploring mines easier, it’s highly recommended to take on these caves. Plus, completing every cave will add a few extra hours of playtime on top of an already long campaign.

A Detailed, Colorful World

SteamWorld Dig 2’s world is not only colorful but detailed and crisp. Its 2D environment is something uniquely different from any other indie game. Each area in the game is designed and created to match its environment. From the swamps to the fiery pits, the lighting and colors bring life to the stage. Even the lighting effects from enemy attacks bring more realism to the 2D world.

With each stage particularly different, it’s hard not wanting to explore the game’s levels. The only thing that’ll stop you from getting there is the time it takes to dig there. With steam-powered gear and tubes for traveling, it makes exploring less of a hassle.

The game’s soundtrack is not only whimsical but captures the tone of the scenario Dorothy is in. When exploring Vectron, the eerie score, the apocalypse-style stage design, and the running away from enemies will make your heart beat real quick.

Summary

SteamWorld Dig 2 is a definite upgrade from its predecessor, if you haven’t played the original, don’t let it steer you away from wanting to help Dorothy on her adventure. It’s an entertaining indie game that will keep players digging for a long time.

A Nintendo Switch review code was provided by Image & Form Games for this review.