SteamWorld Dig 2
A Metroidvania sequel improving on its predecessor's world and gameplay.
SteamWorld Dig 2 is a platformer with action-adventure elements, created and released by Image & Form. It marks the fourth game in the SteamWorld series and follows directly from the 2013 title SteamWorld Dig. The game launched in September 2017 on Nintendo Switch, Linux, macOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita. Additional versions arrived later: for Nintendo 3DS in February 2018, Xbox One in November 2018, Stadia in March 2020, and Amazon Luna in October 2020. Rising Star Games put out physical copies for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in 2018. Critics gave it favorable reviews, highlighting how it improved on the first game, along with its setting and gameplay.
Gameplay
The game belongs to the Metroidvania genre. Picking up where SteamWorld Dig left off, players control Dorothy, a steam-powered robot looking for Rusty, the hero of the earlier game who has vanished. The core activity involves exploring a huge underground mine, fighting hostile creatures, and gathering resources while digging downward. As the adventure unfolds, Dorothy gains tools and weapons like pressure bombs, a hookshot, and a pneumatic arm that can smash through rock. Resources found can be sold for cash in the hub world, where players can boost health, weapons, and abilities. Each weapon has perks that become active when Upgrade Cogs, hidden in secret spots, are installed. More blueprints for upgrades appear as the player gains levels by defeating enemies or finishing quests, or by uncovering artifacts buried in the mines.
Plot
The story sits between the events of SteamWorld Dig and SteamWorld Heist. After Rusty goes missing at the end of SteamWorld Dig, Dorothy, a robot he befriended, heads to the mining town of El Machino to find him. Along the way, she meets Fen, a leftover piece of the Vectron Rusty once fought, who joins her as a guide. While searching the mines for Rusty and hearing rumors that he turned into a monstrous machine, Dorothy encounters a group of devolved humans called Shiners, who are hooked on a drug called moon juice. Their leader is Rosie, who avoided the addiction by lifting weights from a young age and is much sharper than the other Shiners. Rosie claims mysterious machines are causing earthquakes. Dorothy destroys them, only to learn Rosie lied.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Image & Form
- Publisher
- Image & Form / Rising Star Games (retail)
- Series
- SteamWorld
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch · Linux · macOS · Windows · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation Vita · Nintendo 3DS · Xbox One · Stadia
- Genre
- Platformer, action-adventure, metroidvania
- Modes
- Single-player
- Title
- SteamWorld Dig 2
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
SteamWorld Dig 2 is a Metroidvania game that carries on from its predecessor, SteamWorld Dig. Players control Dorothy, a steam-driven robot searching for Rusty, the protagonist of the previous game who disappeared. Gameplay involves exploring a vast underground mine, digging downward, fighting enemy creatures, and finding resources. Dorothy can gain abilities and weapons such as pressure bombs, a hookshot, and a pneumatic arm. Resources are traded for cash in the hub world to upgrade health, weapons, and abilities. Upgrade Cogs found in secret areas activate weapon perks, and more blueprints become available by leveling up through killing enemies or completing quests, or by finding hidden artifacts.
The story takes place between the events of SteamWorld Dig and SteamWorld Heist. Dorothy travels to the mining town of El Machino to search for Rusty. She meets Fen, a remnant of the Vectron that Rusty had previously fought, who joins as a navigator. While searching, Dorothy encounters devolved humans called Shiners, addicted to moon juice and led by Rosie. Rosie claims mysterious machines are causing earthquakes, but Dorothy discovers Rosie lied: the machines were built by Rusty to prevent Rosie from harnessing a fusion distillery to create more moon juice. Dorothy defeats Rosie and rescues Rusty, but the distillery becomes unstable. Fen stays behind to warp the two to safety, and they escape on a rocket before the planet explodes. Dorothy hopes to be reunited with Fen.
Reader's Guide
SteamWorld Dig 2 received positive reviews, with a Metacritic score of 88 out of 100. It was nominated for several awards, including 'Best Portable Game' in Destructoid's Game of the Year Awards 2017, 'Best Switch Game' and 'Best Action-Adventure Game' in IGN's Best of 2017 Awards, 'Game Engineering' at the 17th Annual National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards, and 'Best Indie Game' at the 2018 Golden Joystick Awards. The game's significance lies in its critical reception as a well-received sequel that improved upon its predecessor, with particular praise for its world and gameplay. Its release across multiple platforms, including a physical retail version by Rising Star Games for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in 2018, helped broaden its audience. The game's Metroidvania design and narrative continuity within the SteamWorld series contributed to its legacy as a notable entry in the platform game genre of the 2010s.
Did You Know?
- SteamWorld Dig 2 is the fourth installment in the SteamWorld series.
- The game was first released in September 2017 for Nintendo Switch, Linux, macOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita.
- Publisher Rising Star Games released physical retail copies for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in 2018.
- The game was nominated for 'Best Indie Game' at the 2018 Golden Joystick Awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SteamWorld Dig 2?
It is a Metroidvania-style platformer with action-adventure elements, developed and published by Image & Form. As the fourth installment in the SteamWorld series, it acts as a direct narrative and gameplay sequel to the 2013 original SteamWorld Dig.
When and on which platforms did SteamWorld Dig 2 launch?
The title debuted in September 2017 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows, macOS, and Linux. Later ports extended its reach to Nintendo 3DS (February 2018), Xbox One (November 2018), Stadia (March 2020), and Amazon Luna (October 2020).
How does SteamWorld Dig 2's gameplay compare to the first game?
Whereas the 2013 original leaned heavily on open mining and free-form exploration, the sequel tightens the structure into an interconnected Metroidvania map with ability-gated progression, more deliberate combat encounters, and refined platforming. The overall pacing feels more focused while still rewarding backtracking.
What is the story of SteamWorld Dig 2 about?
You guide Rusty, a young robot on a dusty desert planet, as he investigates the disappearance of his mother and uncovers the manipulative forces pulling strings across the region. The plot threads together questions of identity, fragmented memory, and what it means for a machine to be truly alive.
Why is SteamWorld Dig 2 considered a standout 2010s platformer?
It scored 88 out of 100 on Metacritic and is frequently cited as proof that a small indie studio could craft a polished, story-driven Metroidvania on par with much larger-budget releases. Its critical and commercial success cemented Image & Form's reputation and helped establish the SteamWorld franchise as a respected name in the genre.
More in Platform Games of the 2010s, Part 2 1-24
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