Ace of spades

In another lifetime,SteamWorld Digcould have easily ended up asSteamWorld Build.

Still a worthwhile Game Pass candidate, no doubt, but its main problem is familiarity.

There’s still a lot of joy to be had within these limitations, I should stress.

A robot walks past a saloon in SteamWorld Build

You see, the main challenge and sense of variety in SteamWorld Build lies underground.

At least to a degree.

The staff shortages do tickle me slightly.

Cover image for YouTube video

You see, a house doesn’t generate a set number of bots.

That’s not to say it’s a completely easy ride, however.

You really do go through quite a journey over the course of ten hours or so.

A topdown view of the canyon map in SteamWorld Build

To some, that sense of easy familiarity will be a welcome relief.

This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by publishers Thunderful.

A top down view of the night time dunes map in SteamWorld Build

A top down view of the highroller map in SteamWorld Build

A top down view of the fossil map in SteamWorld Build

A sea of angry robot faces above homes in SteamWorld Build

A busy work floor underground in SteamWorld Build

Robots mine rock next to pink plastic mushrooms in SteamWorld Build

Robot guard fight against bug swarms underground in SteamWorld Build

Robot miners dig out a rocket underground in SteamWorld Build

The resident menu screen highlighting which buildings are relevant to its happiness in SteamWorld Build

Placeholder building outlines in SteamWorld Build

A close-up shot of the burger shop and ranch in SteamWorld Build