Steamworld Dig 2 (Build 2103185)

A ruined desert town and a sprawling underground maze give this platforming adventure a strong sense of momentum from its opening descent. SteamWorld Dig 2 casts you as Dorothy, a resourceful steambot searching for her missing friend Rusty after strange earthquakes tear through the region. The tone balances Saturday-morning robot charm with eerie ruins, corrupted machinery, and the uneasy feeling that something ancient is waking beneath the sand. It is a compact Metroidvania built around the simple pleasure of carving your own route through the earth.

Most of the action revolves around digging through destructible blocks, gathering ore and valuables, then returning to town to sell loot and improve Dorothy’s tools. Upgrades turn initially limited movement into an increasingly flexible toolkit: a stronger pickaxe breaks harder stone, the hookshot crosses gaps, pressure bombs open routes, and a jet engine lets you glide through vertical cave systems. Combat is brisk and readable, with enemies that demand careful positioning rather than button-mashing, while environmental hazards, puzzles, and optional challenge chambers keep exploration varied. Death sends you back without erasing your overall progress, so experimentation feels encouraged even when a risky tunnel leads to lava or a nest of hostile creatures.

Its greatest strength is how consistently every upgrade changes the way you read the map. Areas that once look like dead ends become shortcuts or treasure rooms once you gain the right ability, yet the hand-crafted world remains focused enough that backtracking rarely becomes a chore. Colorful hand-drawn art, expressive robot characters, and an excellent sense of underground scale make each biome feel distinct, from dusty mines to glowing fungal caverns and electric ruins. Fans of Metroid, Ori, and Cave Story who want a shorter, more approachable adventure will find plenty to enjoy, while veterans can chase hidden relics, optional upgrades, and a satisfying 100-percent route.