SteamWorld Build

Lore & Background

Set during the events of SteamWorld Dig 2, with the planet's destruction imminent, Jack Clutchsprocket arrives at an abandoned mine along with his daughter Astrid and a group of refugees. They are guided by the mysterious bot 'Core', who tells them that inside the mine are the materials needed to assemble a rocket for escape. After settling their base, they are approached by an old, battered bot called 'Trader', who assists them in their mission. As they gather parts to build the rocket, Astrid is contacted by the Ancient Signal that controls the machinery, warning about an imminent danger. When the rocket is completed, Core reveals himself as part of the Vectron Hivemind, who deceived the bots into building the rocket so they can escape the planet. Pursued by Vectron machines, Trader sacrifices himself to allow the others to escape. Once in space, the bots depart to look for a new home, unaware that the Vectron Hivemind has infiltrated their systems.

Reader's Guide

SteamWorld Build is notable for blending two distinct gameplay styles: city management on the surface and dungeon exploration underground. The surface portion requires players to construct roads, infrastructure, amenities, and houses, satisfying residents' needs and maintaining happiness ratings. Progress is measured via milestones tied to overall population, with inhabitants assigned to four categories: Workers, Engineers, Aristobots, and Scientists. Once the mining shaft is repaired, the underground portion unlocks, where players recruit miners, prospectors, mechanics, and guards to explore the mine, collect ores, and fight monsters. The 'Mechanized' DLC introduces a fifth worker type, the Mech, with exclusive abilities for exploration and combat. Developers compared the game to the Anno series and Dungeon Keeper, but ensured the two gameplay styles are interdependent. The game received mixed or average reviews on PC and Switch, and generally favorable reviews on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S according to Metacritic.

Did You Know?

• SteamWorld Build is the first SteamWorld game not developed by the original team in Sweden.
• The game's story runs parallel to that of SteamWorld Dig 2.
• The 'Mechanized' DLC introduces a fifth underground worker type called the Mech.
• Development began in early 2020 with a team of 40 people at The Station.