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

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]