A City Builder Like No Other

SteamWorld Build Review A Wild West Adventure in Robotic Excellence

SteamWorld Build’ – GameTopic Review

I must say, the premise of “growing a frontier boomtown populated entirely by retrofuturistic steam-powered robots” in SteamWorld Build is one that I haven’t seen in a long time. It’s like finding an oasis in a vast desert of trend-chasing builders. But this game is not just about building a town; it’s about simultaneously excavating a mine below to find mineral resources and ancient technology, all while your planet is on the brink of destruction. Talk about multitasking!

Now, let’s talk about the visual appeal. The SteamWorld games have always had a distinctive style, with a well-established palette of character designs, colors, and sounds. It’s like a tastefully decorated room that doesn’t lose its charm no matter what genre it takes on. In SteamWorld Build, you’ll still find those adorable retro robots rocking to twangy country-western guitar tracks and speaking in accents that are a mix of Scandinavian and old west. It’s a hilarious combination that works like a charm.

So, how does this city builder game work? Well, the rules are not groundbreaking, but they are satisfying in their simplicity. You provide services and produce goods for your citizens, allowing them to level up and unlock new buildings. It’s an endless cycle of growth and progress, like a hamster on a wheel, except you’re the one in control of the wheel. And let’s not forget the trading aspect. You’ll rely on the good old town’s train station to trade away excess goods and keep the resources flowing.

For those familiar with city builder games like Anno or the Impressions series, you’ll quickly grasp the mechanics of SteamWorld Build. Services are delivered through a basic road system, and as long as a house is within range, it’ll have access to the services it needs. It’s all about efficient planning and laying down the groundwork for a smooth-running town.

But hold on, there’s more! As you build above, your town simultaneously expands below. You’ll recruit miners, prospectors, and mechanics to excavate, extract, and improve your mining works. At first, it’s all about finding easy-to-remove chunks of ore, but eventually, you’ll have to overcome tougher stone obstructions by providing the right tools. And guess what? The underground resources you find become essential for the survival of your town. It’s like a never-ending dance between the surface and the depths.

Of course, you can’t have a thriving underground operation without security. So, make sure to recruit some security bots and set up traps and turrets to defend your precious mines against those pesky bugs and ancient threats. It’s a bit like Dungeon Keeper, but in a cuter, SteamWorld style. The best part is, you can adjust the difficulty settings to suit your playstyle, making it more of a casual romp or a challenging battle against the unknown. It’s all about finding that perfect balance.

Now, about those out-of-towners who visit your train station. They bring more than just money; they bring building upgrades! These upgrades boost your buildings and add extra functionality. It’s like finding a treasure chest in the Wild West, except the treasure is architectural improvement. And if you don’t feel like worrying about ideal production rates, you can invest in bonus production and let the upgrades do the work for you. Who needs underperforming cactus juice farms anyway?

In about eight hours, you can build a town, excavate mines, and construct a rocket to escape the dying planet. SteamWorld Build is a quick and simple city builder, which is both its strength and its limitation. While the gameplay is undeniably fun, it lacks the complexity to offer diverse strategies or deep, engaging puzzles. But fear not! There are still surprises along the way. Each map can be played with a randomly generated underground layer, keeping the mine-building experience fresh. And as you conquer each map, you’ll unlock permanent upgrades for future towns, making your life a little bit easier. It’s a reward well-deserved.

So, my fellow gamers, grab your controllers and get ready for some simple yet satisfying city-building action. SteamWorld Build may not be the most elaborate city builder out there, but it has its own unique charm and addictive gameplay loop. And hey, who wouldn’t want to escape a dying planet with a bunch of whimsical steam-powered robots by their side? It’s time to embark on an adventure and leave your mark on the SteamWorld!

If you’ve played SteamWorld Build, let me know in the comments what you loved most about the game. And if you haven’t, what are you waiting for? Get your hands on this delightful city builder and experience its quirky charm for yourself. Happy building, everyone!