SteamWorld Dig 2

SteamWorld Dig 2 was among the first notable independent titles to launch on Switch before other platforms, and for many console owners it became one of the first games to show just how well the Switch suits shorter, densely designed experiences. The player takes control of the steam-powered robot Dorothy, who searches for a friend who went missing in the first game, and to that end digs ever deeper beneath a desert town. The core loop is simple and addictive: dig downward, collect ore, return to the surface, sell the haul, upgrade equipment, and push a little further.

The second installment, however, significantly strengthens the platforming and exploration side. The underground is no longer just randomly generated earth but a hand-designed world with clear biomes, hidden chambers, and puzzles built around new abilities. Dorothy gradually gains a grappling hook, jet propulsion, the ability to break through walls, or to change direction mid-air, turning what was once cumbersome digging into surprisingly nimble acrobatics. Alongside the main path, optional chambers with isolated puzzles are scattered throughout, arguably the best part of the game, since each one teaches one specific use of the tools. The upgrade system is open and allows specialization in combat, mining, or mobility.

Technically it's a very polished title that runs smoothly on Switch and stands out in portable mode thanks to clear, hand-drawn graphics in rich colors. The transition from the sunlit surface into the dark depths is supported by lighting and sound that gradually thicken, giving the descent a genuine sense of escalation. The music alternates western motifs with mechanical rhythms, subtly reinforcing the pace of the digging. Critics received the game very positively and considered it a significant improvement over the first installment in every respect. Today it stands as a textbook example of a game that knows exactly how long it should be, never overstays its welcome, and ends right when the player still wants more.