Written past times James Nicolay
Title: SteamWorld Dig 2
Developer: Image too Form International AB
Publisher: Image too Form International AB
Genre: Action Aventure, Platformer, Metroidvania
Price: $19.99
Also Available On: PSV, Steam, PS4
SteamWorld Dig 2 is a confident, polished sequel to the critically-acclaimed game that originally came out on the Nintendo 3DS inwards 2013. While I was non genuinely able to function beyond the starting fourth dimension sixty minutes of the starting fourth dimension game, there’s something nigh the starting fourth dimension sixty minutes of this sequel that mesmerized me: the visuals expression first-rate, the overall game pattern is masterful, too the gameplay feels amazing.
I recall the struggle I had amongst the starting fourth dimension 1 was I couldn’t quite connect amongst Rusty, the robot character—in this sequel, you lot play every bit Dorothy, who looks charming too badass at the same time. While the narrative is average—Dorothy is on a holler for to salve Rusty—it’s the lineament of the gaming experience that makes this maybe 1 of the v best indie games correct right away on the Nintendo Switch.
The fine art direction too visuals expression crispy too colorful when played docked amongst the Nintendo Switch. For to a greater extent than or less reason, I wanted to play the game on the large covert because 1 of the complaints I convey amongst the original is that the overworld could experience a chip claustrophobic amongst a modest screen. Thus, amongst SteamWorld Dig 2, I resolved to play it amongst my 55” screen—and, man, it is an absolute joy to play this game on large screen.
Though the entire footing of SteamWorld Dig 2 is confined inwards 1 map, it a HUGE, vaaaast map. My favorite experience inwards the game is genuinely discovering surreptitious areas too surreptitious items littered all over the map—the developers brand this experience crucial to enjoying to a greater extent than from the game. You literally dig through the entire footing inwards search of treasures! By then, you lot volition slow upgrade your equipment until the earthworks becomes less of a chore too to a greater extent than of an adventure.
Initially, Dorothy is given a elementary pickaxe, too inwards the starting fourth dimension xxx minutes, you lot undergo a mini-tutorial phase where you lot larn how to jump, cling to walls, dig, etc. Thereon, you lot attain the nous hub where you lot are taught where to function to sell your ores, jewels, too other mining goodies; too where to upgrade your weapons too armor. The hub is genuinely rattling simple. I wish, though, that the hub could incorporate a few to a greater extent than surprises that tin brand the gameplay a chip to a greater extent than varied—like lilliputian side quests or mini-games would’ve made this a consummate package. But then, for its cost too because it is made past times indie developers, I guess it’s simply fine because the substance game is solid.
Metroidvania genre fans volition know what to expect—you function through the world, human face upward enemies, collect to a greater extent than or less items, usage them to upgrade your stuff, too function along amongst the adventure, every bit the overworld gets huger, to a greater extent than accessible, too definitely to a greater extent than fun to explore. The solely work that commonly confounds gamers who are non experts of this genre (like me) is that at that spot are genuinely to a greater extent than or less areas inwards Metroidvania games where people could acquire stuck—because an obstruction tin solely hold out removed past times a sure as shooting power-up or weapon. And I experience this is where SteamWorld Dig 2 shines—I never felt the demand to google or read upward on how to leave of absence of a sure as shooting expanse because of the masterful pattern of the overworld. Chances are, when 1 feels almost stuck, nearby, 1 would notice the cave where he volition notice the power-up that could acquire him out of that area. And best of all, the novel power-ups or upgrades volition brand the gamer desire to re-visit previous areas too rediscover a hidden cog (for upgrades) or artifact (for farther customization of the game).
The ii potential problems of SteamWorld Dig 2 are its repetitive nature at the start too the difficulty level.
In the starting fourth dimension ii hours, it tin experience a chip of a grind to function dig deeper too deeper into the world, too when the lite meter goes out, you lot literally convey to scramble up, dorsum to the hub inwards fellowship to reset your light, heart, too H2O guess meter. For to a greater extent than or less foreign reason, to a greater extent than or less of your earthworks equipment relies a lot likewise on a H2O gauge, too this is something that you lot convey to replenish every bit well. But later on discovering the teleportation spots, 3 enterprise updates to the earthworks equipment, H2O gauge, too lite meter, therefore these repetitive tasks would non seem tedious—and a lot of times, going dorsum to the hub feels similar a well-timed breather for you lot to sell the minerals too jewels you lot dig, every bit good every bit to upgrade your equipment too armor.
While I did play on Easy Mode too at that spot are to a greater extent than or less user configurations that I could plough on too off for extra challenge, I recall it would hold out prissy to convey to a greater extent than bosses to fight. I genuinely fought the final boss too idea that it was simply a mid-level boss—so I was surprised when the credits rolled later on I defeated that boss—and I didn’t conk fifty-fifty once. Haha. I guess I’m fine amongst that. The credits told me that I finished the game at vii hours too xi minutes, amongst 42% completion. Not bad. And I could definitely meet myself revisiting the game too explore to a greater extent than or less areas I haven’t discovered yet.
There are to a greater extent than or less assets of the game that I experience could convey been utilized better—some NPCs, piece they convey interesting dialogue, would’ve been ameliorate if they were a chip to a greater extent than purposeful. As I stated previously, to a greater extent than or less fetch holler for or mini-games would’ve been nice. But therefore again, maybe the game could taste to a greater extent than or less DLC or amiibo back upward inwards the future.
Overall, SteamWorld Dig 2 is a joyful, masterful game that volition astound you lot amongst its beautiful visuals, tight gameplay, too amazing over footing design. Let’s exercise cross our fingers that the game developers would expand this masterpiece farther past times adding DLC or amiibo support. The 2nd they exercise this, I volition non hesitate to revisit too convey to a greater extent than or less amazing earthworks direct chances amongst Dorothy 1 time again.
Rating: 4.75/5
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