SteamWorld Dig 2 is the fourth installment in the SteamWorld series, and it’s been a long time coming. It is a 2D platform action-adventure video game developed by Image & Form and released in 2017. Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo BDS, Xbox One, and Stadia all support the game. The game costs $19.99 and features some enjoyable gameplay.

SteamWorld Dig 2 is everything you want from a sequel as it incorporates a working formula from its predecessor and creates a more fun-to-play game. It combines these with an impressive look for lovers of the Metroidvania genre. It is arguably one of the best indie games in that genre now, which is saying a lot.

Improved Human Crafted Gameplay

SteamWorld Dig 2 is a direct sequel to the original SteamWorld Dig, a post-apocalyptic steampunk game set in a post-apocalyptic environment. Your character, Dorothy, a steam-powered robot, sets out to find Rusty. Rusty is the previous game’s protagonist, and Dorothy is on his trail to the El Machino mines. The game’s main features are exploring enormous subterranean mines and combating enemy creatures. Dorothy gets powers as she advances through the game, and at the hub planet, she can trade in any resource she discovers for cash. She also collects powerful weapons like pressure bombs, hook shots, pneumatic arms that can punch through walls, and other drilling aids.

The game is twice as long as its predecessor and employs the same mining mechanic style. The story seems more focused than its predecessor’s, with a noticeably fast pace filled with twists, turns, and tonal shifts that keep the game compelling throughout its duration. Dorothy is a well-written character and easily likable, surrounded by other humorous characters. For example, FEN is a standout personality who balances his sassy, snarky remarks with a sincere and endearing presence.

Dig 2 comes with a new line of collectibles called Cogs, which you can use to enhance the tools. The upgrades can differ; for example, you can prevent death from falling rocks. As the game progresses and you begin to face difficult obstacles, your ability to build tailored mods to suit your playstyle increases and becomes critical. The game contains a variety of terrains and hazards that allow you to improve mining and chances of survival.

Stylish And Ethereal Graphics And Music

The graphics and sound design are quite charming and stylish. The visuals range from moodily lit underground caverns to various locales with an endearing atmosphere. The soundtrack easily matches the atmosphere, moving from moody to upbeat and hip-hop as the occasion demands. These matches elevate the gaming experience. The graphics and sound strengthen your resolve to progress and gain momentum.

The visuals are stunning, especially with the green-lit backgrounds. The graphics are eye-catching and inspire confidence, and they are undeniably more eye-catching than any previous endeavors of Image & Form. The portable model of this game is a feast for the eyes, and you still enjoy a smooth playthrough.

Highly Enjoyable Tasks and NPCs

Although the building process becomes repetitive, it never becomes tedious. You experience exploration as a form of puzzle-solving. You begin strategizing around taking advantage of the terrain and the enemies to clear out tunnels and acquire more treasure. Over time, you gain access to methods that make exploration faster and more effective. You can use your pressure bomb launcher to chart pathways or detonate a TNT to kill enemies with a grappling hook. Instances like this give the game its most fulfilling moments because it encourages methodical and creative ways to achieve objectives. You can also reach your goals with a great deal of flexibility.

This increased flexibility is most noticeable in the environment you’re investigating. There are multiple separate areas in SteamWorld Dig 2, all of which are interconnected. Early in the game, Dorothy meets an AI ghost with a taste for destruction, who acts as a guide and maps all she encounters. You can turn this option off if you prefer a greater challenge. There was a map in SteamWorld Dig, but Rusty didn’t need it because he dug straight down till he located the AI core. I immediately noticed a greater emphasis on horizontal platforming problems. Dorothy’s upgrades include two of my favorite platforming gadgets: a grappling hook and a jetpack, both of which are useful.

The core loop is still in place: you dig to explore and complete missions and amass in-game cash. Mineral and ore-containing blocks are clearly labeled, and mining and transporting them to the surface earns you money, which you can use to upgrade your toolkit. Digging, as always, requires some engineering skill as you work around or towards attackers and try to dig in ways that allow you to retrace your steps to your last checkpoint. You can design your tunneling around managing smaller areas between these fast-travel resources because there are pipes that function as warp points as well. Upon getting to the surface, you must decide what to spend money on and how to expand the bag to carry more minerals and strengthen the pickaxe to do important jobs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, SteamWorld Dig 2 remains one of my favorite games to play and is a worthy addition to your gaming library, whether you’re familiar with the previous games or not. It stands out more on Switch because it works great as a portable game and looks great on a big screen. It took me about 15 hours to complete the game and track all the collectibles, but it actually requires 10 hours for normal gameplay.

The Joy-Con is pleasurable to play with, and Pro Controller includes the advantages of the cross pad, which is quite cool. Image & Form have outdone themselves with this sequel, sifting out the redundancies from the original. I cannot wait to see what a sequel to this sequel looks like.