SteamWorld Heist

TL;DR A fun to play casual game
Steamworld heist is a game that’s easy to describe, but difficult to compare to any existing games.
It has a casual each-mission-on-it’s-own style, which allows you to drop-in/out of the game as much as you like, and make it a casual game.
On the other hand, it has an XCOM-style squad-turn-based combat (with using cover). Yet instead of hitting percentage, you’re the one responsible for aiming.
And with that, it’s a 2D game.
So it’s a combination of many genres all rolled into one.
So how does it fare against the games it “borrows inspiration from”?
Well, it’s no XCOM, that’s for sure.
It’s more of a kid’s XCOM.
It has a whimsical and humoristic style, and a cartoony look.
It is a very much casual game, so you will have no problem dropping it and returning a few days later.
Or playing in short 5-10 minute sessions.
The upgrades system is a bit lacking IMO.
You get experience after each mission, divided between all team members who participated.
And each member has a level, with a number of experience points needed to progress.
So far, same as many other games.
However, once one of the team members reaches a new level, he gets assigned an upgrade seemingly at random, according to his type. So a “heavy” may get more health, and a “support” will get more movement points. But the player has no control over it.
There are also items you collect in each mission, or buy in shops.
They are divided by levels, and basically give you the same weapon with stronger stats, for more money.
Not much diversity here either.
But in the end, I actually liked the game more than I thought I would.
I give it 7.5/10

Lovely indie game. Takes around 15 hours to beat, up to 20-30 to beat twice with new game plus on max difficulty while beating all levels, replaying some levels to level up your crew and then some time to get all the achievements.
Graphics are simple but good looking (2d, hand-drawn). Music is lively and fun. Fighting is not hard, but takes a bit getting used to. The game is somewhat hard at the start, but gets easier as you get used to strategies and characters, level up and get better gear.
Overall, I loved it.

This game 50% xcom, 50% old school bullet bouncing flash game, and 100% enjoyable.
I'd also like to note as a huge positive that while a single run's playtime may be a bit on the short-side, there are plenty of ways to extend your time with this game if you'd like to do so. The game feels like it respects your time and does not include any artificial padding.

It's a delight all the way through. Great tactics action and soundtrack.

Have you played XCOM2 through and through and still want some of that sweet turn-based squad action? Then this game is for you! Down a dimension from 3D in playable space but up a mechanic that makes even the regular shots (of which there will be a vast majority) much more interesting. Instead of relying on a RNG to tell you if you hit the enemy or not, you aim the gun manually yourself. And while it might be trivial for guns with laser sights, most of the guns have no such luxury and you have to eyeball the trajectory on your own. A very satisfying short (15 hrs on middle difficulty to get all stars) game.
The only downside I would name is that in dialing the gameplay down a few mechanics from XCOM2 they went a bit too far and made the characters have way fewer abilities. A fully leveled character will have 1-3 abilities and that's it, but I guess if your basic shots are satisfying to use you don't really need a lot of abilities.
Very eager to see what they come up with for a sequel (if they plan on making one). The thought of having this kind of manual aiming in 3D makes me salivate a little, even if their art style doesn't really gel with 3D (yet).

I play it for the music, Steam Powered Giraffes is a great band.