As for the meat of the gameplay, the developers at Image & Form did top-notch work in making the action feel as satisfying as it does. Before each mission, you may select your team, choose their loadout, choose what hat for them to wear, and then sit back while the game procedurally generates the level for you. The majority of the game’s levels are unique each time you play, even if you fail or forfeit and reenter the level. This kept me on my toes, changing up my strategies and tactics accordingly, as I was forced to take varying routes on my second try.
Just as well, the combat itself is a joy. With a bevy of firearms and upgrades to give your characters, its simple execution gives a delightful gratification as you blast each enemy to junkyard hell. Sniping, in particular, is my favorite, as it gives me the exact path the bullet or bullets will take, with the challenge of timing it just right, as the cowbots do try to keep their aim steady. Precisely shooting off enemies’ hats and stealing them is too good to avoid.
With each character having their own particular skills that unlock as they level up from combat experience, SteamWorld Heist offers a very nice amount of customization for a player’s preferred play style. As time goes, you’ll was able to start estimating what you want to prioritize, whether you want precision shooting or heavy firepower, and in what situations they would be most necessary. It may all be in 2D, but the tactical strategy elements remain as fleshed out as ever.
Imagine & Form proved themselves to be formidable developers with the release of SteamWorld Dig, but SteamWorld Heist just takes it to another level in so many ways. It’s simple yet ambitious with a presentation as charming as its execution. Becoming a robotic tactician never felt so good with its stellar combat mechanics. The journey itself benefits from the company of the different cowbots that offer something strange and hilarious to say. It’s hard not to love a game where characters yell “Fiddlesticks!” while in peril. At the time of writing this, the game is currently only on the Nintendo 3DS, and it’s a perfect fit. For those who don’t have a 3DS fear not, as it will also be released for every major platform throughout 2016. At least everyone will eventually get the chance to wear snazzy hats and be the badass robot space pirate they were always meant to be.
Score: 5/5
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