SteamWorld Dig 2 Review

Genre: Action-Platforming Adventure
Players: 1
Playtime: 6.5 hours (Includes beating the game and finding 60% of all upgrade cogs and artifacts; Played on the Nintendo Switch)


2013 saw the release of SteamWorld Dig, a surprise hit indie game from the developers of Image & Form that combines the likes of Metroidvania exploration with a procedural-like Dig-Dug and other robot, steampunk-like inspirations.  Building upon the criticisms of this first entry, SteamWorld Dig 2 offers a more fleshed out adventure and carefully crafted world, with aspects such as a greater focus on story, unique puzzle / platforming challenges, and a greater variety of upgrades.  With that said, does this sequel still manage to strike gold?  Let's grab our pickaxes and take a look at the positive and negative charges to be found in this robotic wild western of a game.

Gameplay / Control

As is expected from its prior iteration, SteamWorld Dig 2 still features that satisfying Metroidvania gameplay that is slowly exploring and uncovering new areas, while acquiring cool new upgrades in which to aid in doing such.  Rather than using a procedural generated world like last time though, this game features a meticulously designed world with loads more hidden mines and other secrets to uncover.  Each mine features a unique challenge varying from clever puzzles to difficult feats of platforming that are a pure to joy to overcome.  And as remains the case, the game has an addictive and well-designed gameplay loop in which players unearth valuable ores and gears, so as to earn cool new upgrades, which in turn help in surviving longer and earning more glittering gems for upgrades.  It's difficult not to want to take just one more dive into the mines, only to realize you've been saying this the past three trips into the mines.

The game gives the players multiple tools and means to explore the world as they see fit.

All of this is packaged together with extremely tight and responsive controls.  Navigating these tall, vertical mines is made easy and graceful through means of wall jumps and a clean, grid-like system.  You are also very much in control in how the map is often fleshed out, deciding where tunnels go and how paths will turn.  And as you acquire more upgrades, from hook-shots to jet-packs, it only becomes more gratifying to zip around these labyrinthine tunnels.

Art Direction / Sound Design

The art of SteamWorld Dig 2 is a striking mix of colorful abstraction and gritty detail that works so harmoniously well together in this post-apocalyptic western world.  The look and feel of spelunking through mines is perfectly emulated with the gradually decreasing glow of your lantern among other glowing embers and fungi of the dark underground.  And with every surface in a state of somewhat disrepair, it takes a careful eye to find some craftily hidden secrets, making their discoveries all the more satisfying.

Concept art of the hook-shot upgrade in SteamWorld Dig 2.

Adding to that satisfaction of secret finding is the little western whistle that plays upon every secret found (clearly derived from "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly", one of the greatest Westerns ever I might say).  The game is full of such little sound effects and beautifully crafted ambient music that makes it easy to get lost in this world in more ways than one.

Vectron

This section will be kept somewhat vague so as to avoid spoilers, but there's one particular section in this game that takes an unexpected turn for a very striking and thrilling experience.  It certainly stands as one of the memorable mementos of this adventure.

Fen

One of the best characters in the game is your devious blue flame of a companion that is Fen.  His thirst for chaos and destruction makes all of his bits of banter a joy to read and is perhaps the only character in the game to have a meaningful character arc, making him a worthy partner indeed.

Fen attempting to bait the player to walk off the cliff.  Oh Fen.  <3

Story

For a sequel that looked to have a greater focus on story, such seemed to be lacking a punch.  The game has players take control of Dorothy in search of Rusty from the first game, which seems like a good place of motivation to begin this sequel.  However, without spoiling any details, the rest of the story is more or less one long breadcrumb trail with an abrupt and unsatisfying ending.  From what I've read online afterwards, there seem to be connections to SteamWorld Heist (which I haven't played), but perhaps the narrative is more satisfying if you are able to put together these connections.  By itself though, this is largely a forgettable tale.

Backtracking

It's somewhat expected with any Metroidvania, but having to retread paths again and again can have varying levels of reception depending how it's handled.  While this game does offer means of various way-points and a certain upgrade in which to return to town easily, the mechanics of the game does insist on many a repeated trip through these familiar sites.  This forced need to repeat sections quite frequently begins to make these trips feel more like chores instead of fun explorations at your own pace and leisure.  As such, you'll be wanting to upgrade your lantern and pack size as soon as possible to lessen this frequency, but that never truly resolves the real issue at hand.

El Machino will be an all too familiar site as you return here again and again.

SteamWorld Dig 2 succeeds in offering a more robust and grander adventure than that of its predecessor.  While the gameplay remains as solid as ever, the narrative and repetitive nature of the game lessen the impact of what should be a more memorable experience.  Even so, this game is such a finely tuned and well designed package, you'll be sure to find enjoyment digging and zipping around these twisting tunnels again.

If you have any questions or thoughts about this game, please feel free to comment and discuss below.  Thanks.  And happy gaming!