Steam-powered robots fighting for space supremacy sounds like the script for a 1950s B-movie. As in those matinee hits, the point here isn’t realism but interesting characters. Like the related games (SteamWorld Dig and SteamWorld Quest), SteamWorld Heist requires you to build a merry band of robots to take on the challenges of space’s vast frontier.

The turn-taking gameplay lets newcomers take their time with each shot or movement. For experts, trick shots and optimising progress demand the development of intricate strategies. This may look like just another shooting game, but play it for a few minutes and you’ll discover a joyously irreverent take on space combat that demands both attention and skill.