Code Name S.T.E.A.M. Reviews

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is ranked in the 34th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Jan 28, 2017

"Abe's old steam machine."

Review in Finnish | Read full review

GamingBolt
Top Critic
4.5 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2015

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.

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2.8 / 5.0
Jun 8, 2015

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.

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games(TM)
games™ Team
Top Critic
7 / 10
May 28, 2015

Not without its issues but a strong effort

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May 26, 2015

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.

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May 25, 2015

Put together, it is hugely successful, not only offering an accessible strategy adventure with charismatic heroes and a fistful of innovations but one that in doing so refreshes the somewhat tired turn-based genre.

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4 / 10
May 14, 2015

The ingredients are there for a transcendent action strategy but the reality is that Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is disappointingly mundane and only fitfully entertaining.

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May 13, 2015

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.

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May 10, 2015

If you're going to attempt to make a mark on a genre that already boasts an exacting pedigree you must - one, introduce new ideas, and two, execute the established rules better than your peers. Code Name S.T.E.A.M does neither and, as a result, fails to secure itself a place in its turn-based landscape.

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May 3, 2015

This unorthodox take on squad-based strategy can be muddled and mulish, but it’s also thrillingly distinctive.

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6 / 10
May 1, 2015

This is a game that makes strategic thinking very difficult and the shallow plot and undeveloped character progression further downgrade its RPG credentials. On the other hand, it does have an attractive action component, rich and enticing visual and sound environments and a well-implemented steam-as-fuel mechanic.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Recommended
May 1, 2015

This is the strangest, most wilful game Intelligent Systems has ever made - and that's part of its greatness.

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7 / 10.0
May 1, 2015

A charming Steampunk romp with the spirit of the Silver Age of Comics, which stumbles thanks to some awkward design choices.

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6.5 / 10.0
May 1, 2015

Difficulty spikes, lingering wait times and a weak story filled with flat characters prevents Code Name S.T.E.A.M. from realizing its potential. While still fun and rewarding at times, it just doesn't capture the imagination or hold my attention for long.

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7 / 10
May 1, 2015

The game's Japanese release carries the subtitle Lincoln Vs Aliens, and in many ways the game benefits from the schlocky extra tag. The historical and literary figures, married with the silver-age comic book visuals make for an engaging world which begs for you to be a part of it. The downside is that the tactical gameplay simply isn't in the same league as the developer's other work, rewarding drawn-out, cautious play above any more meaningful tactics. Though there is fun to be had here, Codename S.T.E.A.M. disappointingly lacks the purity that made Intelligent Systems' earlier work so essential.

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8 / 10
Apr 22, 2015

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.

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Apr 20, 2015

Unless a player's favorite part of chess is waiting for their opponent to take their turn, S.T.E.A.M. might just end up wrinkling their brain.

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GamesBeat
Top Critic
49 / 100
Apr 16, 2015

Code Name: STEAM has gone from an unplayable tragedy to something that's not quite as terrible. Nintendo, thankfully, addressed the biggest problem when it enabled fast-forwarding with that recent update, but it shouldn't stop with that. Intelligent Systems needs to patch in a way to get a better understanding of your surroundings. The way it's set up now, this game is like playing chess where certain pawns secretly have the powers of a queen.

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Krista Noren
Top Critic
5.5 / 10.0
Apr 11, 2015

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.

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Drew Leachman
Top Critic
7.5 / 10.0
Mar 25, 2015

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is a decent action strategy game. It has the makings of a great game in the same vein as Valkryria Chronicles, and while it is executed in a fairly clunky way, I still had a decent time with it.

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