SteamWorld Heist II similar games & best alternatives

SteamWorld Heist II

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S • 2024

Should you play it?

Skill-based gunplay meets turn-based tactics in SteamWorld Heist 2! Aim carefully, bounce bullets, and pull off trick shots in high-stakes heists. Choose your crew and utilize 150+ items to navigate real-time naval battles and daring missions in this 30+ hour adventure to stop a deadly water crisis.

What works
  • Engaging tactical combat with manual aiming
  • Deep multi-class and customization system
  • Charming characters and story
  • Excellent soundtrack by steam powered giraffe
  • Overworld exploration and naval combat
Things to keep in mind
  • Some grind and repetitive mission design
  • Annoying resting mechanic between missions
  • Overworld travel can feel slow without fast travel
  • Some difficulty spikes and balance issues
  • Minor ui and quality-of-life annoyances

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Sunless Skies: Sovereign Edition

  • City of Chains

  • Monsters' Den: Godfall

  • The Iron Oath

  • Galaxy of Pen & Paper +1

  • Rise of the Third Power

  • Airship: Kingdoms Adrift

  • EARTHLOCK

  • Epic Battle Fantasy 4

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • City of Chains

  • Monsters' Den: Godfall

  • Rise of the Third Power

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Progression

    Infinite Veil

  • Strategy

    Dwarf Fortress

  • Autonomy

    Flamebreak

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

SteamWorld Heist II: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Relaxation, Violence.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players choose from randomized characters, weapons, and skills each run, allowing freedom in playstyle and strategic decisions on the overworld map."

    Capsule for Flamebreak Flamebreak

    "Players have freedom to customize characters with multi-classing and choose their own strategies; exploration of overworld map adds player-directed navigation."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game features tactical turn-based combat with strategic positioning, skill development, and difficulty settings that challenge player skill and decision-making."

    Capsule for Avernum 3: Ruined World Avernum 3: Ruined World

    "Tactical turn-based combat with manual aiming skill; players feel effective overcoming challenges and experimenting with builds."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on single-player experience with no mention of ranked modes or direct player-vs-player competition."

    Capsule for 12 is Better Than 6 12 is Better Than 6

    "Focus is on single-player experience with no mention of ranked modes or direct player-vs-player competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Many players report long playtimes (40-100+ hours), replayability with many missions, collectibles, and character progression encouraging habitual play."

    Capsule for SENRAN KAGURA ESTIVAL VERSUS SENRAN KAGURA ESTIVAL VERSUS

    "Many players report long playtimes (30-40+ hours), replayability, and desire to keep playing; some mention grind but overall attachment is strong."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -4

    "Game is single-player focused with individual objectives; no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork elements mentioned."

    Capsule for Like a Dragon: Ishin! Like a Dragon: Ishin!

    "Game is single-player focused; no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork with other players described."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Extensive class system and skill customization allow creative party builds and combat strategies."

    Capsule for Crystal Project Crystal Project

    "Multi-class system and equipment customization allow creative builds; players experiment with combos and strategies."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are single-player and cooperative social dominance is absent."

    Capsule for Roots of Yggdrasil Roots of Yggdrasil

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; interactions are single-player and cooperative social dominance is absent."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players describe immersion in a unique world with engaging mechanics and music, providing a satisfying escape through deep gameplay."

    Capsule for Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles

    "Players describe immersion in charming world, stress relief, and enjoyment of story and music as escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or pressure to play."

    Capsule for FragPunk FragPunk

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment; no mention of obligation or pressure to play."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players encouraged to try different combos, skills, and character builds."

    Capsule for Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

    "Players encouraged to try new builds, multi-class combos, and experiment with strategies and abilities."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Overworld exploration with points of interest and patrols encourages discovery beyond combat."

    Capsule for Kriegsfront Tactics - Prologue Kriegsfront Tactics - Prologue

    "Overworld map exploration with secrets and naval combat adds discovery beyond missions."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Hat collecting and character customization allow for player self-expression."

    Capsule for SteamWorld Heist SteamWorld Heist

    "Hat collecting and character customization allow for self-expression; some complaints about hat mechanics but customization is present."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Set in a whimsical steampunk fantasy world with robots, magic, and imaginative story elements."

    Capsule for SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech

    "Set in a steampunk robot universe with imaginative characters, story, and settings; clear fantasy elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Single-player game with minimal social interaction or community feeling within gameplay."

    Capsule for Mafia II (Classic) Mafia II (Classic)

    "Single-player game with minimal social connection; community feeling not emphasized."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Progression through unlocking ships, upgrading equipment, and captain skill development supports learning and improvement."

    Capsule for BattleGroupVR BattleGroupVR

    "Skill acquisition via leveling classes, unlocking abilities, and improving crew and submarine."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay; no physical activity or health-related features"

    Capsule for Prince of Persia® Prince of Persia®

    "Sedentary gameplay; no physical activity or health-related features mentioned."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during missions and combat; some downtime during travel but generally active engagement"

    Capsule for Star Trek Online Star Trek Online

    "Requires focused attention during tactical combat; some downtime during overworld travel but overall engagement is continuous."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; interactions are limited to single-player narrative."

    Capsule for Ghost 1.0 Ghost 1.0

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; interactions are limited to single-player narrative."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Players act as submarine captain making command decisions, managing resources and crew actions."

    Capsule for Cold Waters Cold Waters

    "Player manages and directs crew members and submarine upgrades, guiding decisions and strategy."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating items, upgrades, and unlocking new abilities and equipment."

    Capsule for Infinite Veil Infinite Veil

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating items, upgrades, experience, and unlocking new abilities and equipment."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Players report enjoyment, flow, and catharsis, especially through story and combat; some tension in boss fights but overall balanced."

    Capsule for Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

    "Players report enjoyment, flow, and satisfaction; some tension from alarms and enemy waves but overall balanced."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable art style, music, and sound design provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Esoteric Ebb Esoteric Ebb

    "Enjoyable art style, music, and sound design provide sensory stimulation and emotional fun."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on individual achievement without external evaluation."

    Capsule for Glittermitten Grove Glittermitten Grove

    "No social recognition or popularity systems; focus is on individual achievement without external evaluation."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Narrative immersion is strong with character-driven plots, emotional moments, and story twists engaging players."

    Capsule for BLUE REFLECTION: Second Light BLUE REFLECTION: Second Light

    "Narrative immersion with engaging characters, plot, and worldbuilding; story motivates players."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "High mental challenge with planning, problem solving, and tactical combat."

    Capsule for Dwarf Fortress Dwarf Fortress

    "High mental challenge with tactical combat, planning, positioning, and ability synergy."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Combat intensity and challenge provide excitement and tension relief."

    Capsule for Paint the Town Red Paint the Town Red

    "Tension from timed missions and enemy reinforcements; satisfying relief from overcoming challenges."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players feel the game offers good content and quality for its price."

    Capsule for Arco Arco

    "Players feel the game offers good content for price; positive price-quality ratio mentioned."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat involves shooting, explosions, and destruction of enemies; violence is a core gameplay element."

    Capsule for R.I.P. - Reincarnation Insurance Program R.I.P. - Reincarnation Insurance Program

    "Combat involves shooting enemies, explosions, and destruction; violence is a core gameplay element."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players manage threats and resources to avoid failure and complete missions."

    Capsule for Skin Deep Skin Deep

    "Players manage threats, alarms, and resource upgrades to survive missions; some randomness adds challenge."

Last update: 01/06/2026