Topic: Gamescom 2016: SteamWorld Heist Brings The Strategy Fun To The Wii U

[Daan]

Are you up for another round of Image & Form's finest work?

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/43295/gamescom-2016-steamworld-heist-brings-the-strategy-fun-to-the-wii-u

SteamWorld Heist was one of the best Nintendo 3DS games in 2015. This isn't simply comparing to other Nintendo eShop releases, but in the whole spectrum. It gave us Image & Form at their finest moment since starting with Nintendo titles on DSiWare. The game was a bold strategy game that challenged conventions and made the player really think about every step they would take. With new guns and puzzles added throughout, the game kept things fresh constantly. And this whole experience still holds up on Wii U.

The game controls on Wii U nearly 1:1 to how it controls on 3DS. Simply select the locations  to walk to, attack the enemy if needed and grab the loot along the way. The finesse of the left control stick lets you aim guns with more precision, while the right stick lets you check all around the map. This can also be done with the touchscreen on the controller. Just drag a finger or stylus to the location and see what is out there. It is easy to pinpoint as a handy map will show everything.

The only thing is that the map feels a bit barren on the touchscreen. It could have been cool to have  objectives and stats on there, which are still displayed on the television. That being said, the interface is a bit minimalistic on the TV. Outside of the stats, the TV also shows which abilities are now available for use, which is quite handy. Next to all of this, SteamWorld Heist does offer full support for off-TV play.

SteamWorld Heist looks fantastic on the Wii U, even more so than on the 3DS. The larger screens clearly show all the little details that the levels are littered with. It also allows for a larger view of the environment directly around you, which will help =in the latter stages of the game. In short, being on a TV makes the environments look even better. The music also sounds fantastic coming through the larger speakers as well.

I am super excited to play the game again on the Wii U. It looks brilliant on that bigger screen and plays even better with the GamePad. While the options on the touchscreen seem a little barren, they still got the most out of the real estate. Having a large map on the GamePad and letting me focus on the TV is a godsend. SteamWorld Heist is set to release for the Wii U on September 30. For those that haven't picked up any of the SteamWorld games, please be aware that a boxed SteamWorld Collection will be coming to Europe and North America as well around the same time!