Code Name S.T.E.A.M. Reviews
M., except for the steep difficulty curve. It's definitely worth a try, but the immense challenge made it far less enjoyable for me.
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.
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.
That being said, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a solid entry overall in a genre that I certainly would like to see more new games for. It's always nice to see companies taking a chance on a new intellectual property and the nod to Valkyria-style gameplay is much appreciated as well. If you love strategy games and have a need to scratch that Valkyria itch, you'll want to try out Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.
The game doesn't always flow perfectly, but Codename S.T.E.A.M is certainly a fun little strategy title.
However, poor design decisions that impact the game's main combat mechanics may make for a much longer trip than anyone could anticipate. Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. has the visuals and concept to go the distance, but unfortunately through some of the game's more ill-advised ideas and concepts, it runs out of steam pretty quickly.
Code Name: STEAM is misguided and horrifically dull
A fun embarrassment
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.
Frustrating fights spoil the wacky premise of Nintendo's Code Name S.T.E.A.M.
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.
Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is a fun, cartoony steampunk strategy game for players intimidated by the depth of Fire Emblem.
Code Name S.T.E.A.M. has an interesting premise and an initially appealing aesthetic. But then the gameplay comes along and teams up with a crushing difficulty to deflate what should have been a great piece of hokey Americana.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.