Although it might take a while to get some of the more cooler movement powers SWD 2 is a fun game to play
As a follow up to the addictive yet very short Steam World Dig this does everything that one did while still expanding it in a positive way. The last game ended with something happening to Rusty and in the interim he has disappeared. Which leads to one of his friends named Dorothy to head out to solve this mystery. All she has is a broken light and a rusty pickax to start her adventure but it soon becomes apparent that a bigger problem than a missing mechaniloid is underfoot.
Digging up minerals is a large part of this game as the title implies. Nothing to flashy about it since it literally is just watching Dot mash her way through blocks to obtain stuff to sell. Then it starts to expand out into a bit more via the many tools that must be picked up throughout the adventure.. In the standard Metroidvania way upgrade stations are scattered around the labyrinthine underground that must be found to continue. The first upgrade gives Dot a remote bomb that can be used to mine missed spots and open up secret areas. Other than the combat focused grenade launcher I ended up using every upgrade a lot since it was so fun to just move around using all the different tools.
Meanwhile the combat never really expanded past smacking enemies with the pickaxe or a grappling hook. Not a huge issue since the real joy of the game comes from exploring everything. Even if places are full of enemies digging down does get old after a while which is why each area has a bunch of different challenge rooms that are easily accessible. Each one requires use of a different item or your brain since they really are mini puzzles. They never overstay their welcome making them a great way to break up the repetitiveness of making your way to the next important area.
Sadly unlike the first game which was over way before it became boring to collect almost everything, I felt like the end section of the game went on for one too many zones. Without the overly long plant area that I ended up doing last I would have really enjoyed just about everything. It was the only time I ignored almost everything just to get to the last node. Not a huge issue but it certainly was a low note to end the game on.
Overall this is just a real fun game to move around in. Something about all the movement tech just made moving around the different environments really enjoyable. On top of that the colorful art style and music it assists in making it a worthwhile experience. Unless you don’t enjoy Metroidvania’s this is a game worth playing.
