SteamWorld Heist II & SteamWorld Build Bundle

Genre: Compilation

Players: 1

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Review:

(Note: SteamWorld Heist II, included in this Collection, is also included in SteamWorld Heist Complete Bundle, along with SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition. Also, all of the games in this Collection are included in SteamWorld Essentials Collection, along with SteamWorld Dig, SteamWorld Dig 2, SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition, and SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech.)

SteamWorld Heist II & SteamWorld Build Bundle, released in 2024 on Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, is a Compilation containing the two named games, separately released on Nintendo Switch in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

I have separately reviewed these games. Here is what I thought of each of the games in this collection:

Game	Genre	# of Players	Score
Steamworld Build	Management Simulation	1	B-
tl;dr Steamworld Build takes the long-running franchise to yet another new genre – Management Sims. This game has you building up a mining town peopled by anthropomorphic steam-powered robots, while also managing the mining operation underground. Both above- and below-ground feature different takes on Management Sim gameplay, and both are quite good. However, Steamworld Build’s heavy reliance on everything being connected via a complex resource chain makes performing even simple tasks complicated, and while the result is still enjoyable, it’s detail-oriented in a way that not everyone will appreciate.
Steamworld Heist II	Turn-Based Strategy-RPG	1	B+
tl;dr SteamWorld Heist II is a side-scrolling Turn-Based Strategy-RPG that shifts its setting to a seafaring steampunk robot adventure, with a new weapon-based class system that adds some nice customization the first game lacked, along with an excellent soundtrack. There are some pacing issues, but overall this is a step up from the previous game, and absolutely a game that Strategy-RPG fans should pick up.

In short, I think these are both good games, but I think SteamWorld Heist II is the better of the two. Still, they’re both worth playing, and the differing genres does lend this bundle some good variety.

So then, let’s talk value. Separately, these two games would cost a combined total of $60, with this bundle selling for $45, which is a pretty good savings on the two games. If we look at sale prices, the original SteamWorld Build has dropped down to $7.50 and SteamWorld Heist II frequently goes down to $10 or so, while this bundle has dropped down to just under $16. In other words, while it’s not much of a savings when looking at sales, it’s still saving you a bit of money this way.

Either way, this is a solid package both in terms of pricing and quality of games. If you’re a SteamWorld fan and have yet to get this pair of games, this is an ideal way to do so, and I recommend you do – these are very good games in a value package.

tl;dr – SteamWorld Heist II & SteamWorld Build Bundle includes the two named games, a side-scrolling Turn-Based Strategy-RPG and a Management Simulation. Both are good games, though I think Heist II is the better of the pair. In any case, this is a pair of good games at a good value, well worth picking up.

Grade: B

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