Review of SteamWorld Build: A Blend of City Building and Protection

Introduction

If you’re looking for a game that blends Sim City-style building with Dungeon Keeper-style protection, then SteamWorld Build might just be the game for you. This game is designed to be enjoyable and laid-back at lower difficulty levels. However, it may not offer much longevity to those who are looking for a long-term challenge in civil engineering.

Overview of SteamWorld Build

SteamWorld Build is a game that offers a blend of topside city building and subterranean mining. The game is designed to be played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.

The gameplay of SteamWorld Build is rated at 75%, with controls at 80%, and aesthetics at 75%. The content of the game is rated at 60%, and accessibility at 80%. However, the value of the game is rated at 65%.

The game’s simulation is not as sophisticated as some of its peers, such as Anno 1800 or Cities Skylines. However, this works to the game’s advantage. Players are expected to use mouse-and-keyboard controls to designate where their buildings will be placed.

Features of SteamWorld Build

One of the best features of SteamWorld Build is that it blends city building and protection. This means that you can build on the surface while also protecting your subterranean resources from marauding enemies. The game uses a top-down view, which makes it easier to see everything that’s going on.

SteamWorld Build also offers some welcome enhancements to its interpretation of civil engineering. The game’s graphics are excellent, with hand-drawn characters that are full of life and personality. The game also includes various buildings that can be constructed, as well as different types of resources that can be mined.

Privacy Concerns

Those who have an aversion to sketchy privacy practices buried within the terms and conditions will want to excavate the agreement before descending. The game’s terms and conditions should be read carefully before playing the game.

Conclusion

In conclusion, SteamWorld Build is a fun game that blends city building and protection in a unique way. While the game may not offer as much longevity as other games in the genre, it is still worth checking out if you’re a fan of Sim City-style building games. The game’s graphics are excellent, and the gameplay is designed to be enjoyable and accessible to players of all levels.Gameplay Mechanics

Steamworld Build is a unique game that provides an immersive experience with its slow-burn, strategic gameplay. The game introduces players to a fascinating world filled with retrofuturistic steam-powered robots, and it is your duty to manage and grow a frontier boomtown. The game’s mechanics encompass two key aspects – building and management, and combat and exploration, both of which add to the overall richness of gameplay.

Building and management

In Steamworld Build, your objective is to become the best mayor possible by tending to every citizen’s needs and building up your town. The game features intricate resource collection and management mechanics that keep players engaged throughout. Players must gather resources, create building plans, and execute them with precision to keep their town running smoothly. The game makes it easy to track and manage resources, ensuring that the player’s experience remains streamlined and enjoyable. The building mechanics are easy to grasp, and the game provides a blueprint system that allows players to choose from a range of designs and customize them as desired.

Combat and exploration

Steamworld Build also features an exciting combat and exploration system where players can delve into the depths of the mines beneath the town in search of more resources and treasures. The mines are teeming with hostile creatures that require tactical combat mechanics to defeat, adding an element of excitement to the otherwise slow-paced gameplay. The combat and exploration mechanics are well-balanced, making the experience challenging but not overwhelming, ensuring a steady progression throughout the game.

Overall, Steamworld Build is a well-crafted game that provides an enjoyable take on the classic city-building genre. The game’s unique setting and immersive gameplay mechanics make for a long-lasting experience filled with engaging challenges and rewarding gameplay. Whether you’re a fan of city-building games or not, Steamworld Build is definitely worth a try. So, gear up and start building up your frontier boomtown today!

Storyline and Setting

If you’re looking for a game that brings together a unique mix of city-building and combat mechanics, then Steamworld Build may just be what you’re looking for. This game features a fascinating world filled with steam-powered robots and retrofuturistic technology, making it a memorable experience for players.

Plot and world-building

Steamworld Build takes place in a frontier boomtown that’s in need of growth and development. As the mayor of the town, it’s up to you to manage resources, construct buildings, and keep citizens happy. The game doesn’t have a linear plot per se, but the world-building is where it excels. You’ll interact with an array of interesting characters, mine for valuable minerals, and fend off hostile creatures while expanding your town.

Characters and factions

The game features a range of unique and charming characters that add to the overall experience. From the jolly bartender to the tough sheriff, each character has their own personality and backstory. The factions in the game are also well-designed, giving each one a unique identity and purpose. You’ll need to form alliances with the various factions to help your town prosper.

The gameplay in Steamworld Build is engaging and intuitive, making it easy for players to immerse themselves in the game. With its well-balanced combat and resource management mechanics, the game ensures that players are constantly challenged but never overwhelmed. Whether you’re a fan of city-building or combat games, Steamworld Build is definitely worth checking out. So, why not grab your hard hat and pickaxe and start building up your own frontier boomtown today!Graphics and Sound Design

Visuals and aesthetics

As soon as you start Steamworld Build, you will be immersed in its beautifully crafted world and charming characters. The game’s retrofuturistic design gives the game an interesting visual twist and sets it apart from other city-building games. The colors are bright and vibrant, and the robots and buildings are designed with intricate details that add depth and personality to the game. The environment and atmosphere are also well-crafted and provide an immersive experience.

Sound effects and music

The sound design in Steamworld Build is another highlight of the game. The game’s sound effects are spot-on and add to the immersion of the game, whether it’s the sound of steam powering the robots or the clash of swords during combat. The music is also well-crafted, providing the perfect backdrop for the game’s world. The soundtrack strikes a balance between upbeat and soothing, keeping the player engaged while not being too distracting. Overall, the sound and music design is well-done and adds to the game’s overall charm.

In conclusion, Steamworld Build is a well-crafted game that shines in both its visuals and sound design. The game’s retrofuturistic design and charming characters provide an immersive experience that is enjoyable from start to finish. The sound effects and music complement the game’s world and gameplay, adding to the overall richness of the experience. If you’re a fan of city-building games or looking for a fresh take on the genre, Steamworld Build is definitely worth a try.Pros, Gameplay, Design of Steamworld Build

Pros

Enjoyable gameplay

Steamworld Build is an enjoyable and relaxing city builder with a unique twist, the ability to explore and expand your underground mining operation. The laid-back pace of the game is perfect for players looking for a more casual experience. The game’s mechanics are easy to pick up, but there’s still plenty of depth to keep players engaged.

Polished and seamless design

From the game’s retrofuturistic visuals to its charming sound design, Steamworld Build is a well-crafted game that oozes personality and charm. The game’s world is well-crafted and immersive, and the gameplay is polished and seamless. The game’s underground layer provides an interesting spin on the city-building genre, and the developers have done an excellent job of integrating it into the game.

Gameplay

Steamworld Build is a city-building game where you take care of a community of robots on a dying planet. The gameplay revolves around building and expanding your settlement, managing resources, and exploring the mines to uncover rare minerals and ancient technology.

The game’s underground layer is where things get interesting. You’ll need to expand, improve, and defend your mining operation from the dangers that lurk in the depths. The underground layer adds a layer of strategy to the game and provides an interesting contrast to the laid-back pace of the surface gameplay.

Design

The retrofuturistic design of Steamworld Build is a highlight of the game. The game’s world is beautifully crafted, and the robots and buildings are designed with intricate details that add depth and personality to the game. The environments and atmosphere are also well-crafted and provide an immersive experience.

The sound design in the game is also well-done, with spot-on sound effects and a well-crafted soundtrack that strikes the perfect balance between upbeat and soothing. The game’s overall design is polished and seamless, and the underground layer adds an interesting twist to the city-building gameplay.

In conclusion, Steamworld Build is a well-crafted game that’s worth checking out for fans of the city-building genre. The game’s retrofuturistic design, charming sound design, and unique gameplay mechanics make it stand out from other games in the genre. The laid-back pace of the game is perfect for players looking for a more casual experience, but there’s still plenty of depth to keep players engaged.

Cons

Slightly shallow ending

While Steamworld Build is a well-crafted game, it does have its drawbacks. One of the main criticisms of the game is its slightly shallow ending. The gameplay and mechanics are fully revealed within the first few hours of playing, leaving little room for surprises or variability throughout the rest of the game. While the game is enjoyable from start to finish, this lack of replayability can leave some players feeling unsatisfied.

Limited ambition

Another criticism of Steamworld Build is its limited ambition. While the hybrid of city-building and dungeon crawling is unique and works well, the game does not fully explore the potential of this concept. The game’s story and world-building are thin and minimal, leaving little room for players to become fully immersed in the game’s world. Furthermore, the strategic options available to the player are relatively straightforward, again limiting the potential for players to experiment and explore the game’s full potential.

In conclusion, while Steamworld Build is a well-crafted game with charming visuals and sound design, it does have its limitations in terms of replayability and ambition. Players looking for a deep and complex city-building or dungeon-crawling experience may be disappointed by the game’s lack of depth. However, for those looking for a fun and unique hybrid game experience, Steamworld Build is definitely worth a try.

User Reviews

Overview of Mostly Positive User Reviews

Steamworld Build has been receiving mixed reviews from critics, but what do users think about it? Let’s take a look at some of the mostly positive feedback from players who have tried the game.

One user described Steamworld Build as “an incredible addicting and charming game” with “new ideas” that impressed them. They found the game enjoyable despite its flaws, which suggests that the overall experience is worth the investment.

Another user praised the blend of city-building and dungeon crawling mechanics, saying that it was a unique and fun experience that they thoroughly enjoyed. They also appreciated the game’s visuals and sound design, which added to the immersive atmosphere.

However, some users did have criticisms of Steamworld Build. One user found the game’s ending to be “slightly shallow,” suggesting that the game lacked surprises and variability after the initial stages. This could be a drawback for players looking for a game with more replayability.

Another user found the game to be limited in ambition, particularly with regards to the game’s story and world-building. They suggested that the game’s strategic options were also relatively straightforward, which limited the potential for exploration and experimentation.

Overall, the user reviews for Steamworld Build have been mostly positive, with players enjoying the game’s charming visuals, unique mechanics, and immersive atmosphere. However, the game does have its drawbacks, particularly with regards to replayability and ambition. Despite these criticisms, Steamworld Build is definitely worth trying out for those looking for a fun and unique gaming experience.

Developer Information

Release date and developer

Steamworld Build is a unique simulation and strategy game developed by The Station. It was released on December 1, 2023, for Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Series S. The game was first announced in January 2023 as part of Thunderful’s SteamWorld Telegraph presentation. A free demo of the game was also released on the same day.

Additional games by The Station

The Station is a relatively new game development studio that was founded in 2015. In addition to Steamworld Build, they have developed a few other games, including:

1. Big Drunk Satanic Massacre (2019) – A top-down shooter game where players take on the role of Lou, the son of Satan, as he tries to save Hell from a hostile takeover.

2. Spuds Unearthed (2020) – A multiplayer strategy game where players lead their teams of sentient potatoes through battles on alien planets.

Overall, The Station has a reputation for developing unique and innovative games with quality gameplay mechanics. Their games are often characterized by their unique blend of genres and their quirky sense of humor.

Final Thoughts

Summary of key points

Steamworld Build is a simple and fun city builder game developed by The Station. It doesn’t offer anything particularly new or groundbreaking but still manages to provide players with a satisfying and enjoyable gameplay experience. The game features a well-established palette of character designs, colors, and even sounds that the SteamWorld franchise is known for.

The game’s core mechanics are based on laying out cities and providing them with supplies. The underground layer of the game is a cool added feature that gives players the opportunity to expand, improve, and defend their mining operations. The pace of the game is laid back and relaxing, making it a great option for players who want to unwind and enjoy some casual gameplay.

There are five maps available in Steamworld Build, providing players with a decent level of replayability. The game’s graphics are clean and visually appealing, and the sound design is top-notch, contributing to the overall enjoyment of the game.

Recommendation and score

Overall, if you’re a fan of city builder or simulation games, Steamworld Build is definitely worth checking out. It offers a unique blend of gameplay mechanics that are easy to pick up and play, making it accessible for both experienced gamers and beginners alike. The game lacks the depth and complexity of other city builders on the market, but its simplicity and charm make up for it.

I would rate Steamworld Build a solid 8/10. Its quirky characters, innovative gameplay mechanics, and relaxing pace make it a standout title. While it might not be the most challenging or groundbreaking game out there, it’s still a great option for fans of the genre who are looking for something different.