SteamWorld Heist in IOS

Strategy

Walkthrough, Guilds, Tips on this special game

Our Site Score

94/100

SteamWorld Heist is a brilliant departure from the typical tactical RPG. By switching the perspective to a 2D side-scroller and making the 'shooting' skill-based (you actually have to aim your gun), it removes the frustration of '95% chance to hit' misses found in other games. The ricochet mechanic is a game-changer; bouncing a bullet off three walls to headshot an enemy hiding behind a shield feels incredibly rewarding.

The steampunk world is dripping with personality, and the soundtrack by Steam Powered Giraffe is the perfect accompaniment to the clanking of robot boots. It’s a deep, strategic, and polished experience that feels right at home on a mobile screen.

Reviewed on: Tue Feb 24 2026
Dinsun Avatar

Dinsun Review

Dinsun here. I’ve lost enough hair to XCOM's '99% chance to hit' misses to last a lifetime. SteamWorld Heist is the antidote to that frustration. If you miss a shot in this game, it’s because *you* aimed poorly, not because a die roll failed you. The ricochet mechanic is brilliant—it turns every turn into a geometry puzzle where you're trying to bank a shot off a ceiling to hit a bot behind cover.

The progression is satisfyingly old-school. No microtransactions, no gacha mechanics—just a solid campaign where you earn better gear and recruit better bots. The characters are distinct, the music (by Steam Powered Giraffe) is soulful, and the whole package feels complete. It’s one of the few mobile ports that feels absolutely essential. It’s strategy at its most honest.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

  • Skill-based aiming eliminates frustrating RNG
  • Incredible steampunk art and soundtrack
  • Perfectly balanced difficulty curve
  • Limited mission variety in the late game
  • UI can be a bit cramped on smaller phones
  • Collecting hats is addictive to a fault

Technical Report

Performance: Flawless performance; the tactical nature of the game makes it perfect for touchscreens.

Accessibility:
  • Five difficulty settings
  • Adjustable camera speed
  • Full tutorial system

Audience Fit

Buy if: You love strategy games like XCOM but want more direct control over the action.

Skip if: You dislike turn-based combat or 2D side-scrollers.

Similar Games:
  • XCOM: Enemy Within
  • Invisible, Inc.
  • Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

Reviewer Context

  • Reviewer: Dinsun
  • Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • Playtime: 25 hours
  • Status: Finished on Experienced Difficulty

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

Version 1.1Mon Nov 14 2016

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

- Various fixes to the SteamWorld Heist page on App Store

- New home screen app name


10/10 - Touch Arcade: "A genuine must-have. Don't miss it."

10/10 - US Gamer: "Everyone should play"

9/10 - Pocket Gamer: "Excellent 2D strategy"

In SteamWorld Heist you command a steam-driven pirate crew in a series of epic tactical shootouts. It's turn-based strategy with an action twist: You manually aim the guns of your robots, allowing for insane skill shots and bullet-bouncing action!

As the captain you will board, loot and shoot your way through enemy spaceships. Overcome the challenges of the vast frontier by upgrading your recruits with unique abilities, weapons - and even stylish hats!

Available languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Russian.

Key features:

- Strategy focused on skill rather than chance

- Procedurally generated levels

- 15-20 hours of playtime, followed by New Game+

- Kind to newcomers, deep and challenging for veterans

- Soundtrack by Steam Powered Giraffe

Recommended devices: iPhone 5, iPad 2 or any newer iPhone or iPad with iOS 8 or higher.


Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Turn-Based Space Strategy RPG. Lead your robot crew in epic tactical shootouts across the galaxy in this award-winning SteamWorld adventure.

10/10 - Touch Arcade: "A genuine must-have. Don't miss it."

10/10 - US Gamer: "Everyone should play"

9/10 - Pocket Gamer: "Excellent 2D strategy"

In SteamWorld Heist you command a steam-driven pirate crew in a series of epic tactical shootouts. It's turn-based strategy with an action twist: You manually aim the guns of your robots, allowing for insane skill shots and bullet-bouncing action!

As the captain you will board, loot and shoot your way through enemy spaceships. Overcome the challenges of the vast frontier by upgrading your recruits with unique abilities, weapons - and even stylish hats!

Available languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Russian.

Key features:

- Strategy focused on skill rather than chance

- Procedurally generated levels

- 15-20 hours of playtime, followed by New Game+

- Kind to newcomers, deep and challenging for veterans

- Soundtrack by Steam Powered Giraffe

Recommended devices: iPhone 5, iPad 2 or any newer iPhone or iPad with iOS 8 or higher.


Ratings & Reviews

4.6 out of 5 with 714 Counts
Age Rating 9+

Screenshots

SteamWorld Heist screenshot 1SteamWorld Heist screenshot 2SteamWorld Heist screenshot 3SteamWorld Heist screenshot 4SteamWorld Heist screenshot 5SteamWorld Heist screenshot 6SteamWorld Heist screenshot 7SteamWorld Heist screenshot 8SteamWorld Heist screenshot 9SteamWorld Heist screenshot 10

In SteamWorld Heist, you command a robotic squad in a series of tactical shootouts. It’s turn-based strategy with a twist: you manually aim the weapons of your crew, allowing for insane trick shots and ricochet action. As Captain Piper Faraday, you will recruit a rag-tag team of steam-driven robots, customize them with unique abilities and weapons, and even collect hundreds of different hats while looting your way across the galaxy.

Features

1

Skill-based tactical combat instead of RNG-based hits.

2

Procedurally generated levels for endless variety.

3

Over 100 hats to collect and equip.

4

Soundtrack by the world-famous Steam Powered Giraffe.

5

Deep character customization and upgrade trees.

Tips

Promotion Videos

Steamworld Heist – Interview with Image & Form Games | EGX Rezzed 2015 - YouTube

Related Videos

Recommended Links

Image & Form Official Site

Information about the SteamWorld universe.

Official

News on this game

The SteamWorld Heist 2 Reveal Is Another Reminder That There's Nothing Like SteamWorld

I was both delighted and shocked to see the announcement of SteamWorld Heist 2 at this week's Nintendo Indie World showcase.

TheGamer - Fri Dec 13 2024

SteamWorld Heist II Review

SteamWorld Heist II is an excellent turn-based strategy RPG, as long as you can put up with the lackluster naval combat.

RPGFan - Thu Mar 13 2025

‘SteamWorld Heist II’ Review: A Fun, Well-Oiled Machine in a Class of Its Own

Despite spanning multiple genres, the SteamWorld games, from Swedish video game developer Image & Form, have remained remarkably consistent...

Slant Magazine - Thu Mar 13 2025

Music From SteamWorld Heist II (2024)

Music From SteamWorld Heist II (2024) by Steam Powered Giraffe, released 08 August 2024 1. Heist Ahoy! (SteamWorld Heist II Theme) 2. Sparks Will Fly 3.

Bandcamp - Mon Jan 13 2025

One of 2024’s Most Exciting Indie Games Shows Off Robots on the High Seas In A New Trailer

'SteamWorld Heist II' is shaping up to be one of the most exciting indie games of the year, as a new trailer shows off its aquatic open...

Inverse - Thu Feb 13 2025

SteamWorld Heist (Wii U eShop) Review

The turn-based strategy of SteamWorld Heist managed to land on our “10 Games We Liked” list last year in its 3DS incarnation, even though it...

Nintendo World Report - Tue Jun 13 2017

How 'Steamworld Heist' Won 2015, An Open Letter

Turning from the action platforming of Steamworld Dig to turn based strategy Image & Form have created my family's favorite 3DS games of the year.

Forbes - Sat Aug 13 2016

SteamWorld's Brj�nn Sigurgeirsson: "We were terrified of making the same game over and over"

Thunderful's SteamWorld series continues to leap from genre to genre with each release, and the company's Brj�nn Sigurgeirsson said this stems from a fear of...

GamesIndustry.biz - Wed Nov 13 2024

Nintendo Switch's Most Exciting Strategy Game Shows Off ‘Final Fantasy’ Inspired Classes

'SteamWorld Heist II' looks like one of the summer's most exciting indie games after a preview showing off its creative class system.

Inverse - Fri Dec 13 2024

SteamWorld Quest review — clever card combat

A review of SteamWorld Quest, which is another excellent reinvention of the SteamWorld universe from developer Image & Form Games.

VentureBeat - Fri Dec 13 2019

Gameplays

Q&A

It is set in the same universe but features completely different gameplay (tactical strategy vs. platforming).

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