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

Like the stories from which the characters are borrowed, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. truly is the video game equivalent of a page-turner, and I dare anyone not to be sucked in by its charisma.

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.

A worthy new member of the Nintendo family, a solid strategy experience and a very charismatic setting and characters.

This tactical shooter developed by Intelligent Systems, presents sophisticated level design that combines perfectly with the game mechanics.

Great artwork, enjoyable music, and compelling gameplay, what more could a game really need?

It’s ugly, but it’s also a brilliant strategic game developed by a talented and experienced team, Intelligent Systems: give it a chance if you’re a curious fan of the genre.

Codename Steam is a great debut for a franchise with a lot of potential, that is worthy of sitting next to the best in the genre, such as Fire Emblem and Advance Wars. The campaign is meaty, the gameplay works well and the cheesy overall tone is perfect for the comic book/Saturday morning cartoon vibe.

Great combination of ideas from Valkyria Chronicles and XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Not without a few issues, but still addictive for a long time.

Interesting turn based tactics in a creative steampunk world that marks a successful premiere for a new franchise. Nonetheless Intelligent Systems is far away from the quality of Advance Wars.

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. tries something new: it doesn't entirely succeed at that, but offers a few glimpse of a brighter future for a really fun and diverse franchise.

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.

A solid strategy experience and charismatic characters in this tactical shooter developed by Intelligent Systems.

Code Name: S.T.E.A.M is yet another great game for the 3DS, accessible and challenging at the same time. We haven't been able to stop playing until we finished, and if you like the genre, we think you'll feel the same.

Like its cast, it can feel like an unholy jumble of disparate ideas, yet that unpredictability is one of its greatest assets. Code Name S.T.E.A.M. represents a gamble on the part of both developer and player, then, but as long you’re prepared to accept its unconventional terms, there’s a good chance it will repay you quite handsomely.

Not a perfect game, but has enough good ideas to be entertaining for people who love turn-based strategy. The option for speeding-up AI turns is the perfect addiction for this European version of the game.

There's still room for improvement, but as it is Codename: S.T.E.A.M. is an interesting turn based game, bestowed by a deep and complex combat system, albeit a bit slow.

Steampunk fans and those that love strategy titles in general should certainly strongly consider this.

The battles are addictively fun with deep tactics, challenging gameplay, and imaginative maps and objects. S.T.E.A.M. does lack somewhat with its story and characterization, but its strong combat makes up for it, and the game's aesthetics suit its decidedly absurd premise.

Online multiplayer and a meaty campaign, along with amiibo functionality, mean there’s plenty of fun to be had in Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.‘s unique world, and it’s hard to imagine anybody running out of steam once they give it a chance.

Despite some tedious gameplay aggravations, it’s a work well worth your $40.

A luscious display of absurdity and Americana, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a solid pack of turn-based strategy and tactic action with plenty of content, a humorous storyline and the best lessons from one of the masters of the genre, Intelligent Systems. Totally recommended.

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. blazes ahead with entertaining characters, a robust host of missions, and engaging combat. Just the right amount of difficulty will keep any strategy fan engaged, and collectibles and multiplayer will keep you in long after the credits roll. Nintendo’s IP is going at only one speed: full S.T.E.A.M. ahead.

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. represents an exciting new direction for Intelligent Systems. More than once, we found ourselves intending to complete just a mission or two, and wound up playing for five or six hours straight. It may not have the long legacy of other strategy titles, but the game proves that in many ways it’s just as capable.

The premise behind Code Name: STEAM is so ridiculous that I couldn’t help but enjoy myself the more I played it. It doesn’t go very far beyond a “there are aliens at this location, get rid of them” type of story, but its gameplay, as brutal as it can be at times, can be rewarding when you figure out just the right combination of squad members to use during missions.

For the strategy gamer, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a must-grab. But even for those who may not be too familiar or comfortable with strategy games or the genre as a whole, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. still merits a healthy look. The title eases the player into the ideas that relate to both the game itself and the genre as a whole, and highlights necessary details through pointed, yet laughably-bad dialogue.

And if you happen to enjoy your strategy mixed with a little absurdity – like a scarecrow armed with a pumpkin launcher specially tuned to stun alien brains – then all the better.

A fun, quirky new release from Nintendo. While there are a few flaws in the game design, we think that there's enough good here to justify a purchase from any Nintendo fan looking for something different.

There are some things that drive me crazy about Code Name S.T.E.A.M's mission design, and I really think the difficulty balance could have used another pass, but these issues are balanced by the excellent mechanics. Intelligent Systems know their way around the strategy genre, and it shows in Code Name S.T.E.A.M's deep roster and intricate level design.

Code Name: S.T.E.A.M has plenty to love, but it also falls short in keeping all moments thrilling and tense.

This fresh take on tactics games adds a bit of steam, folklore, and shooter action to the turn-based combat. Plus, it’s hard to pass up the crazy premise of Abe Lincoln fighting aliens.

Code Name STEAM is a strange hybrid of turn-based tactics and action, but its simple mechanics create plenty of head-scratching decisions in single or multiplayer.

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. impresses games with a bizarre cast and a weird world. Unfortunately STEAM does not come close to the quality of Fire Emblem and Advance Wars, but if you do not quit this game when things are getting tough, you will love blowing off some steam in this game.

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is an unexpected strategy game that beefs up the European line-up for Nintendo 3DS, pretty accessible, with a solid gameplay and an usual artistic direction.

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is a decent action strategy game.

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.

If you're looking for a good turn based strategy game to take with you on your holidays with your 3DS, S.T.E.A.M. -with its unique story and interesting characters- is a great choice.

Its numerous annoyances prevent it from enjoying ‘must-have’ status but if Nintendo’s promised patch eliminates its most irritating one, it could be great rather than merely good like it is now.

The good ideas are hidden under the bad decisions. Lingering wait times and a weak story filled with flat characters prevent Code Name S.T.E.A.M. from realizing its potential. Intelligent System Studio has done it better.

Code Name: STEAM is charming in style and experimental in genre, but a number of missteps make it tough to recommend whole heartedly.

It's not a bad idea to bring some new stuff into the tactical genre. Above all, when it's done by such a talented studio that Intelligent Systems. However, gameplay here is far too irregular to be a new standard. As all their productions, Codename S.T.E.A.M. requires a high level of focus and anticipation to master the battlefield. But we can only regret the lack of attention towards writing, background and visuals.

Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a strange game. On one hand it is a great portable strategy title, with a fun comic book style. On the other hand, however, it takes ages to complete a match, simply because you need to wait between turns.

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.

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

With American folklore blended in a steampunk universe and a TPS approach to strategy, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is heterogeneous to say the least. Hence this absurdly over-the-top plot won't click for everyone, just like these mechanics controlled from such a low point of view may seem too basic for pure tacticians. But when its engine works at full steam, this intricate piece of retro futurism shows some bold character.

So if you can be comfortable diving flag-first into a cartoon nerd empire built with ad hoc literary appropriation and Lovecraftian ice menaces, one that is completely sincere, you will be rewarded.

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.

Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a novel mix of shooting and strategy, but a drab storyline and occasionally frustrating gameplay keep it from greatness.

A turn based strategy game that make us think about what it could have been, forgetting what it really is... One more missed opportunity for Nintendo.

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.

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.

There's a solid foundation of ideas here with Codename S.T.E.A.M, both in its outlandish character selection and its unique take on the strategy genre. The problem is both of these elements trip at the finish line, the cast with their boring and repetitious script and the strategy gameplay with its inconsistent pace.

The gameplay is a heady, engrossing experience. But it's also one that's frequently undermined by the tedious and protracted nature of enemy turns. Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a decent, respectable game with some truly euphoric highs amid equitably frustrating lows.

Bring on Fire Emblem: Fates.

Codename: S.T.E.A.M is an ambitious take on the strategy genre. A striking visual style and nice voice acting make it stand out from the crowd, but the enemy design leaves a lot to be desired. Sadly, battles also tend to drag out since the most effective way to play is to tackle objectives very slowly, meaning there is little room for meaningful strategic decisions.

None of these issues mean that the game is broken, unplayable, or even put together badly. It's competent. But competent really isn't good enough. More than anything else, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M is disappointing because it could have been a far better game.

Where the game partially redeems itself is in its hammy tone, and variety of inventive guns and missions. [June 2015, p.120]

Intelligent Systems has proved its value as strategy-developer for Nintendo more than once. Unfortunately in Code Name Steam the team takes turn-based strategy to a whole other level and it is not a good one.

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.

While there's something to be said for patience and precision, 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.

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. presents a lot of interesting ideas, but never pulls them together to form a cohesive and fun experience. There's certainly a lot here to enjoy, but to get to it you'll have to suffer a little boredom.

A strategy game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but not terribly easy-going either.

Despite a wonderful premise and talented developer, the borked execution leaves this running out of puff. [June 2015, p.60]

When Code Name S.T.E.A.M. works, it’s a blast. When it doesn’t, it’s a drag. Your enjoyment level will depend on how much you can ignore the latter.

A disappointing outing from a developer that has made some of Nintendo’s most exquisite games.

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.

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.

Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. offers the most frustrating kind of steampunk: It brushes up against potent themes, but then turns its back on them in favor of pure aestheticization.