Code Name S.T.E.A.M. Reviews
"Abe's old steam machine."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a devastatingly unique strategy game with the pedigree to back it up. Fun and challenging, blending turn-based tactics with third-person shooting, there's nothing like it on the market.
Due to the wonderful mixture of impressive gameplay and beautifully creative artwork, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. brings with it a fresh and new-thinking experience that has the sort of great balance that could only be delivered by the giant in the genre, Intelligent Systems. Whether or not it becomes a classic over time, and maybe something that even becomes a long running franchise, only time will tell, yet right now Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is definitely another great hit from the true masters in the field. Steampunk fans and those that love strategy titles in general should certainly strongly consider this.
M., except for the steep difficulty curve. It's definitely worth a try, but the immense challenge made it far less enjoyable for me.
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M is disappointing because it could have been a far better game. With a developer with such experience in tactical games as Intelligent Systems has, there is no excuse for a game that is this limited, this garish, and this incohesive. If this is to be built into a franchise, it's going to need a dramatic improvement by the next game.
A fun embarrassment
Codename Steam managed to set expectations high, but ultimately was not able to deliver a captivating game. There are so many great ideas here, but most of them go without being fully utilized. Bland and annoying gameplay mechanics keep this game from being something truly enjoyable.
Frustrating fights spoil the wacky premise of Nintendo's Code Name S.T.E.A.M.
Rife with mistakes that should be unacceptable, and squandering all of its potential, Codename STEAM is a game that you should avoid unless you are really desperately looking for a strategy game on your 3DS, and have already completed Shadow War and Fire Emblem Awakening.
Not without its issues but a strong effort
As a fan of all that is steampunk, and as a fan of the Emancipation Proclamation (because who doesn't enjoy the abolishment of slavery, outside of a certain University of Oklahoma fraternity), I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Code Name S.T.E.A.M. since it was announced by Nintendo. Developed by Intelligent Systems, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is a turn-based, third-person strategy game that has you play as some old school American heroes, as well as some famous fictional characters in a steam punk world where President Abe Lincoln never had a mishap at the theatre.
By no means a bad game in the end, Codename S.T.E.A.M has good design choices hampered by lots of tedium and frustration.
I found myself irritated almost as much as I was enthralled.
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. felt uneven to me. There's a lot of promise here, and the jovial experience was inviting. I loved the multiplayer far more than I expected to and look forward to many more hours playing it. The problem is a campaign that feels like it takes far too long for things to really happen, especially when all aliens move in real time and you have to clear multiple maps before you get a real stopping point. I like the lore and world enough to hope that this isn't the end for this series, and that instead Intelligent Systems will be given an opportunity to build on this foundation.
Bursting with unpredictability and tactical depth, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a solid debut for Intelligent Systems' latest spin on turn-based strategy.
I feel like Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is what happens when you put Fire Emblem and Worms into a blender along with a comic book- so if either of those games tickles your fancy it'll be worth giving the game a try. The turn-based system and third person shooting complement each other, and while it doesn't feel natural at first, maybe in the future you'll find that traditional strategy games just don't quite cut it for you after playing Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. This game is definitely suited to players who play strategy games regularly, and I can't imagine opinions about it being unanimous. It's not a game that I'd usually play, but I don't hate it. It's a solid game, and if you're already interested I it the odds are that you'll enjoy it. If you're unsure about the game, stay away from it.
Despite the off-putting steampunk aesthetic, the weird roster of fictional and non-fictional characters, and the relative shallowness of the strategic elements, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. doesn't grow tiresome.
Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is a fun, cartoony steampunk strategy game for players intimidated by the depth of Fire Emblem.
Like all Intelligent Systems games, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is absolutely worth it for strategy fans—but this one's got a few more warts than usual.
Overall, Code Name Steam is an excellent attempt at a new franchise. The premise of the title itself is promising and unique, while the story and characters, no matter how ridiculous and convoluted, can easily be built upon. Code Name Steam is no Fire Emblem; it lacks the character development, RPG elements, and difficulty variation. Code Name Steam is a good game though, one which can be nurtured into a masterpiece when its sequel is inevitably released.