Following Rusty's disappearance at the end of SteamWorld Dig, Dorothy, a robot who he had befriended, travels to the mining town of El Machino in order to search for him. The story takes place in between the events of SteamWorld Dig and SteamWorld Heist. More blueprints for upgrades become available to the player by either increasing their level by killing enemies or completing quests, or by finding artifacts hidden in the mines. Each of the weapons have perks that can be activated by installing Upgrade Cogs found in secret areas.

Any resources found can be traded in for cash in the game's hub world, where the player can upgrade their health, weapons, and abilities. As the game progresses, Dorothy can gain abilities and weapons such as pressure bombs, a hookshot, and a pneumatic arm that can punch through rock. Gameplay largely involves exploring a vast underground mine, coming up against enemy creatures while finding various resources as the player digs their way downwards. Carrying on from its predecessor, SteamWorld Dig, SteamWorld Dig 2 puts players in control of Dorothy, a steam-driven robot searching for Rusty, the protagonist of the previous game who disappeared.

Steamworld dig 2