SteamWorld Heist II is worth considering if you enjoy turn-based tactics that reward careful aiming and squad planning. Its signature ricochet shots give combat a puzzle-like edge, while crew customization and real-time naval sections add variety between heists. Launch-era reviews were broadly positive in the examples its publisher collected, but those scores are not a complete or independent measure of critic consensus.
How does SteamWorld Heist II play?
SteamWorld Heist II is a single-player, turn-based tactical shooter developed by Thunderful Development and published by Thunderful Publishing. In its room-by-room missions, you position your crew and aim shots that can bounce off surfaces. Rather than simply selecting a target, you can look for an angle that reaches an enemy behind cover or creates a useful shot across the room. That makes each attack a small tactical puzzle.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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SteamWorld Heist II - Nintendo Switch | $30.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Steamworld Dig 2 - Nintendo Switch | $34.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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OCTOPATH TRAVELER II - Nintendo Switch 2 | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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PGA TOUR 2K25 - Nintendo Switch 2 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Crew jobs and equipment add another layer: squad roles and loadouts shape how you approach encounters. Between missions, the campaign adds submarine exploration and real-time naval battles, so the experience is not limited to tactical rooms. The Steam listing describes more than 150 weapons, utility items and ship upgrades, and more than 30 hours of gameplay; those are the store page’s descriptions, not a guaranteed playtime for every player.
What do the reviews say?
The evidence points to a positive launch reception, but it needs context. Thunderful’s 2024 review roundup collected selected scores from outlets; it is a publisher-curated sample, not an independent survey of reviewers. Among its examples were Coming Soon at 9.5/10, PC Gamer at 81/100, IGN at 8/10, Game Rant at 4/5, and CG Magazine at 9/10. The roundup reproduced PC Gamer calling it “The most ambitious SteamWorld game yet,” IGN praising its “Clever turn-based combat,” and CG Magazine describing it as “A tactical triumph.” These are excerpts selected and republished by the game’s publisher.
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- TURN-BASED STRATEGY AT ITS BEST - Dive into an upgraded tactical experience that builds on the beloved gameplay of SteamWorld Heist. Every move matters as you plan your turns, position your crew, and carefully aim each shot. Ricochet bullets off walls and use your surroundings to outsmart enemies, but remember—victory hinges on a well-thought-out strategy, not just a quick trigger finger.
- NEW WATERS, NEW ADVENTURES - Set sail across the vast ocean in your trusty submarine. Face real-time naval combat challenges and steer your crew through tactical ship-to-ship battles while discovering hidden treasures in every wave. Your decisions as captain shape your journey through the Great Sea.
- CUSTOMISE YOUR CREW, YOUR WAY - With over 150 weapons, utility items, and ship upgrades, the possibilities for crew customisation are endless. Equip your steambots for every strategy—whether you prefer a sharpshooting sniper or a hammer-wielding bruiser. Unlock new crewmates, jobs, abilities, and gear to perfect your team for each mission.
- DIVE INTO A HANDCRAFTED WORLD - Immerse yourself in a beautifully crafted world filled with unique environments, eccentric characters, and a captivating story. And yes, Steam Powered Giraffe is back with an all-new soundtrack that will stick with you long after you’ve docked your ship. Plus, with over 30 hours of gameplay, your adventure will be as vast as the ocean itself!
On the Steam store page, the game was labeled “Very Positive,” with 92% of 1,364 English-language user reviews positive when the page was accessed in 2026. The same page displayed a Metacritic score of 81. These are storefront snapshots that can change; Steam user reviews are player ratings, not critic reviews, and the displayed Metacritic figure is not a substitute for examining individual reviews. The available review evidence supports enthusiasm for the combat, ambition and soundtrack, but does not establish a reliable consensus on recurring weaknesses, late-game pacing, balance or technical performance.
Which platforms can you play it on?
Thunderful announced the game’s release on August 8, 2024 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. The sources confirm availability, but do not establish platform-by-platform differences in frame rate, resolution, bugs or feature parity. If those factors matter to your purchase, seek evidence for the specific version rather than assuming the versions perform identically.
Rank #2
- Dig your way underground and explore vivid worlds riddled with treasure, secrets and traps.
- Combat dangerous enemies at every turn of the underworld's twisted paths, including shadowy creatures and the haunted remains of an ancient electrical threat.
- Upgrade your Gear to forge deeper into the Earth and take on bigger challenges.
- Swing across large chasms with your Hook shot and fly through caves with the Jet Engine!
| Platform | Availability confirmed by Thunderful | What the available evidence establishes |
|---|---|---|
| PC | Yes | Release platform; no comparative performance result stated. |
| Nintendo Switch | Yes | Release platform; portability is a platform characteristic, but no version-specific performance result is stated. |
| PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 | Yes | Both listed; no comparative performance or feature-parity result stated. |
| Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S | Yes | Both listed; no comparative performance or feature-parity result stated. |
Choose based on where you want to play and which controls suit you. Current prices and discounts depend on platform, region and date, and no stable cross-platform price comparison is established here.
Who is likely to enjoy it?
- Good fit: players who like turn-based tactics, deliberate positioning, and finding unconventional shot angles.
- Also a fit: players who enjoy tuning a squad through jobs and equipment, and want exploration and naval combat alongside missions.
- Consider carefully: players looking for verified platform-specific performance comparisons or a well-documented account of late-game balance and pacing; the available review evidence does not resolve those questions.
Does the soundtrack have a separate release?
Thunderful announced Music From SteamWorld Heist II as a two-disc album associated with Steam Powered Giraffe. The announcement describes 15 original songs plus instrumental versions of every track, for 30 tracks total. This is an optional music release, not part of the game’s tactical or platform comparison; current retail availability is not established by the announcement.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- GRAB A CLUB. CHASE GREATNESS. - Team up or face off in Match Play, Scramble, or Skins - online or local. Compete in cross-platform societies, earn seasonal rewards, and rise through daily and weekly tournaments.
- ON GOLF’S BIGGEST STAGES - Take on legends like Tiger Woods or step into their shoes and feel what it’s like to master some of the hardest courses in the world. In a PGA TOUR 2K franchise first, test your grit at The PGA Championship, U.S. Open and The Open Championship.
- YOUR CAREER. YOUR LEGACY. YOUR WAY. - Dynamically simulate rounds, train for tournaments, and evolve your player through new Attribute Point and Equipment Progression systems.
- SEASONS. BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER. - Earn rewards, climb the Ranked leaderboards, and experience regular content updates. Progress at your own pace through past Seasons.
- PGA TOUR 2K25: AIM FOR GREATNESS
Rank #4
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills.
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights.
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish. You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night.
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more. Where will you go? What will you do? Every path is yours to take.
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating. New mechanics have also been added.
Rank #3
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Sources
- SteamWorld Heist II on Steam — game description, feature claims and mutable storefront figures.
- SteamWorld Heist II is Out Now! — Thunderful’s release date and platform announcement.
- SteamWorld Heist II: Launch Trailer & Review Roundup — selected launch-era review excerpts and album details.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
