Deal | Steam deal: Tactical turn-based shooter with trick shots – 90% off for just $1.50
SteamWorld Heist is a tactical RPG shooter set in a post-apocalyptic galaxy where Earth is long gone and only steam-powered robots remain. These mechanical survivors drift between space stations, derelict ships and scattered colonies. Players step into the boots of Captain Piper Faraday, a sharp-witted space pirate leading a ragtag crew to raid the rich, defy authority and confront a growing threat that’s bigger than just loot. Expect dry humor, quirky characters and a dose of Firefly charm – only with bolts instead of blood.
The game sticks to classic 2D tactical gameplay but adds a unique twist: instead of relying on hit percentages like in XCOM, you aim your shots manually. Bullets can ricochet off walls, making trick shots a key part of the strategy – even allowing you to hit enemies behind cover. Between missions, you can outfit your crew with new weapons, gadgets and even hats. Each character belongs to a specific class with unique abilities, from heavy firepower to healing or enhanced mobility. Procedurally generated levels keep the action fresh, even on repeat runs.
Reviews: Challenging gameplay and solid scope, but lacking variety
The German gaming magazine PCGames reviewed SteamWorld Heist and came away with a positive verdict. The testers praised the challenging turn-based tactics, which demand finesse while remaining easy to pick up. Manual aiming adds a unique layer of depth to combat, enhanced by diverse character classes with their own special abilities. The team was also impressed by the game’s overall scope – the campaign delivers 12 to 18 hours of gameplay, with a New Game Plus mode available for those who want to keep going after the credits roll.
The biggest criticism from PCGames was the game's tendency toward repetition. The linear campaign often reuses similar mission objectives and lacks features like player choice or base management. Character progression is fairly rigid and the automatic save system leaves little room to undo mistakes. Some missions can also feel frustrating due to time pressure. Despite these flaws, SteamWorld Heist earned a solid 8/10 from PCGames. The broader reception has been just as positive: it holds a Metascore of 81 and a User Score of 8.0 on Metacritic. On Steam, the response is even more enthusiastic, with 94% positive reviews from around 3,800 players.
90% discount on Steam
SteamWorld Heist was developed by Image & Form Games and originally released in June 2016. The regular price is around $15, but until May 17, it’s available with a steep 90% discount, bringing it down to just $1.50. It’s a strong deal for a well-regarded RPG shooter – though not the lowest ever, according to SteamDB. During the Winter Sale, the game was briefly offered at a 93% discount.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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