Nintendo is known for its extensive library of beloved characters, most of which appear in multiple titles on a regular basis; so when an internally developed new intellectual property comes along, there's reason to be excited. Code Name: S.T.E.A.M., a third-person shooter/turn-based strategy title by Intelligent Systems - best known for the Fire Emblem and Advance Wars series - has the potential to be a successful and important franchise for Nintendo. The story is incredibly charming, the visuals are striking and colourful, and the music and voice acting are exemplary; yet some significant gameplay issues keep S.T.E.A.M. from reaching true greatness.
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. envisions an alternate history in which steam-powered technology has become the primary source of energy and resources. Taking place in the late 1800s, the game stars Henry Fleming - the character from The Red Badge of Courage - as the newest agent of S.T.E.A.M., a special force led by Abraham Lincoln to take on otherworldly, larger-than-life threats. In this case, aliens have invaded London, destroying much of the city. Fleming - along with John Henry, Tom Sawyer, and a host of other characters from classic literary works like Peter Pan, Moby Dick and others - must defeat the alien menace and discover the mysterious reasons behind the invasion.
The nonsensical story is captivating in its ability to consistently surprise and delight. Very clearly inspired by comic books - many of the cut-scenes even take place within comic book panels - the action never slows down, and the game revels in its constant twists and turns. While the agents are plucked from iconic books and stories, each are written with interesting and funny personalities and quirks. Fleming is constantly spouting earnest, motivational speeches, while Tiger Lily from Peter Pan and Tom Sawyer are two kids from impossibly different worlds, and it shows. By the time later references start popping up, it's clear that the writers are having a ball mixing and matching literary worlds and familiar tropes.
An intriguing mix of turn-based strategy and third-person shooting, this is divided into multiple chapters, each with one or more maps to clear. In each turn you guide a squad of four characters through each level, taking out aliens and collecting items as they reach the goal. Characters are limited in the number of actions they can perform based on the amount of steam they have - moving takes up steam, as does attacking or healing, so planning ahead is important. Some characters have weapons that require a lot of steam, while others are able to perform several actions in a row. Preserving steam will allow characters to perform pre-emptive 'overwatch' attacks on enemies during the enemy turns, adding another layer of complexity to the proceedings. Overwatch is extremely useful when there are lots of enemies, so picking and choosing when to move and attack is pivotal.
Each character has a main weapon/attack that can't be altered; the main weapons are all very clever and tie into the character and story they come from. Fleming, for example, has a gun shaped like a bald eagle that has a nice range and reasonably good power, while Tom Sawyer has a "punch gun" that knocks back enemies and can possibly stun them. Each character can also equip a sub-weapon, which is how the player can fine-tune and customize their squad. Sub-weapons are automatically unlocked as you collect coins throughout each map. They range from being somewhat weak, like a crossbow, to highly useful, like the Gatling gun. Any character can equip any sub-weapon, but each sub-weapon can only be equipped by one character at a time. In addition to coins, collecting gears throughout each stage will unlock different steam boilers that carry more steam and have other passive effects. Finally, each character has a powerful special attack that can be used once per stage.
Unlike traditional turn-based strategy games, the player controls each character from an over-the-shoulder perspective; as a result fans of modern action games should feel right at home playing Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. Controls are buttery smooth and feel natural on both the 3DS and New 3DS - characters move using the Circle Pad, while camera movement and aim can be done via touch screen, ABXY or the C-Stick. We mainly used the C-Stick on a New 3DS, but occasionally went back to the touch screen to get our aim just right. As the focus is on shooting the camera is very sensitive, and can be adjusted down to the smallest movement.
Completing each turn is certainly fun and interesting, so it's unfortunate that what follows the player's turn is the game's major flaw. The enemy's turn plays out much like the player's, with each enemy moving and completing actions, yet since this isn't played from a traditional, top-down view, the player doesn't see what the enemy is doing. This wouldn't be a problem normally; it's part of the thrill of playing a squad-based shooter. But during the enemy turn, all the player can do is sit and wait as a progress bar slowly fills up indicating the enemy moving and making decisions. The perspective will automatically switch to different characters if enemies are in view, but the player only has limited control of the camera during this time. Strangely, when the perspective moves to each character, the camera will often be stuck on a wall or some random tile, making it impossible to see anything. Enemy turns feel like they take too long, and it's only when they launch an attack that things get remotely interesting again.
This strange design decision doesn't break the game, by any means, but it certainly makes getting through each map feel longer than necessary. The campaign takes upwards of 20 hours to complete, and we can't help but wonder how much of that time could have been shaved off without the slowness of enemy turns. It's certainly not as though the game needed to be padded for a lack of content - in addition to the lengthy single-player campaign, each map can be replayed to collect more coins and any missed gears, along with challenges to complete, such as playing without seeing the steam gauge or with extremely strong enemies.
There is also a robust multiplayer mode, with local and online play available. There are random and tournament matches available, and several different mode types to choose from. Death Match is the most traditional, with players trying to eliminate the other team; Medal Battle tasks players with collecting the most medals in a set amount of time. There's also Streetpass functionality, with leaderboards and score bonuses, as well as public and private tournaments. Local play requires each player to have the software, so there's no single-card multiplayer.
The key point in multiplayer is that players have a limited time to complete each turn, which certainly ramps up the pressure and keeps the match moving. One wonders why this rule wasn't placed in the single-player campaign, as well. It should be noted that there is one more match style available in multiplayer, but it spoils a fairly large reveal from the campaign. Nevertheless, it runs smoothly and is quite fun.
The presentation in Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is fantastic; screenshots don't do this title justice. The comic book-inspired visuals pop from the 3DS screen, with the steampunk-style colours giving everything a gilded age feel. With the 3D turned on - especially when using the New 3DS - the game becomes immersive and even richer in its unique personality. The voice acting is uniformly excellent, with popular actor and personality Wil Wheaton doing hilariously earnest work as Abe Lincoln. The music is suitably memorable, with a catchy opening theme song that sounds like it belongs on a classic Saturday morning cartoon. The one missed opportunity is in the alien design; most of the enemies share the same blue/green colour scheme and lack personality. There's a narrative reason for the lack of variety in the aliens, but it would have been nice for them to at least somewhat match the dynamic character of the heroes.
Interestingly, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. has amiibo functionality, but as we were unable to get our hands on the supported figurines we couldn't test out the feature. Players with any of the Fire Emblem amiibo - Marth, Ike, Robin and Lucina - can tap those figurines to use them in battle. Unlike other characters in the game, though, they can't be revived mid-battle. Hopefully the notoriously rare amiibo will become easier to find in the coming months so eager players (like us!) can take advantage of this nifty extra feature.
Conclusion
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is 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. We'd love to see more of this compelling and riotous new world from Intelligent Systems; it's a great way to learn about classic literature...sort of.
Comments 149
Think I will be getting this. I sure hope all these people who clamor for New IP from Nintendo actually buy this. I get so sick of hearing how everyone wants new IP's but sales never seem justify them doing so.
Heh, that Alien's turn thing could've been done a bit better besides a loading bar. I'm putting this on my wishlist.
@Zodiak13
Exactly. Then when it doesn't sell, and we stop seeing new IPs (games like Wonderful 101, Code Name STEAM and Splatoon) I'm gonna be more than a little upset...
Im getting it
Nintendo, new IP, Intelligent Systems
Do i need to keep going ?
I plan on getting this at a later date. I have enough games and stuff to buy this month. Wait until June to buy this so I have something to play during the summer
I am not into strategy games or comic books, but I am getting this day 1. Gotta support new IPs and this developer knows their stuff. I enjoyed the demo too.
What I find hard to believe is that no one on NL (including friends and relatives of the staff) has any Marth or Ike amiibo.
Kirby RC >>>> Code Name STEAM
Waiting enemy turns sucks
I enjoyed the demo quite a bit, I'll very likely get this. Waiting for the enemy turns does suck, but the gameplay was great.
I will get it eventually, its a type of game that I can get into, but gonna play through what I have first, its not a day one buy, but it is a buy.
I'm buying this game day 1 to support the new IP and because, damn it, I am a Wil Wheaton fan. Screw the haters! Gordy LaChance actually has a voice role in this game. Badass and sold!
I'm buying this game twice so me and my son can do some multiplayer. I already know I'll enjoy it just from the demo and he enjoys it as well. Hope it sells well enough.
I enjoy the demo a lot more than I expected to, so I guess I will enjoy the full game even more (minus the enemy's turn but it's not that much of a deal breaker).
Was hoping the street pass would of been something like FE: Awakening with battling the other person's team instead of leaderboad and scores but a well I guess.
I'm on the fence about this one. I liked the demo, but I'm just not sure... maybe I'll wait until I get a thirst for a new 3DS game.
Putting on my "To Get Later" list.
@Zodiak13 They probably won't because they are a bunch of hypocrites. I in the other hand will buy it for three reasons:
1) Intelligent Systems
2) Gameplay
3) Fire Emblem characters
I'm buying this to support it. I hate seeing interesting IPs die out because of sales.
I'll support a new IP and Intelligent System for sure, buying this at Day1 when it will reach Europe (May 15th). In the meantime I'll play again some Wonderful 101 just to remind me that the disappoitment due to a minor flaw is nothing compared to the surprise of playing something new and different!
I'm buying it day 1. Usually I wait for price drops, but I want to try and support their decision to go with a new IP, so hopefully it does fairly well.
I'm also getting this day 1. I enjoyed the demo, and it's nice to see another new IP from Nintendo.
Thanks, I pre-ordered this to get the Majora's Mask Pin from GameStop and I've wondered if I made a mistake. You just gave me a warm fuzzy feeling.
Can't wait to get it. Shame a lot of people won't give it a chance.
I was really bothered in the demo by being unable to know when the enemy can use its "overwatch" attacks and suddenly halt my advances. That ruined my tactics on multiple occasions with seemingly no way to foresee or counteract that. Since that didn't seem to be mentioned in the review, is that not an issue in the full game or just not an issue to the reviewer?
My L button broke on my 2DS a long time ago, thus, I was unable to do much even in the demo. So it looks like I can't buy it until I get a New 3DS XL...It looks really cool though, and the Amiibo content sounds promising...
The number of similar comments here really shows the mentality of Nintendo console owners.
"The game itself doesn't really interest me but I will buy it anyway because it says Nintendo on the box"
Too bad this same thing doesn't happen when a third party title is released.
@sinalefa
I found that weird too. (not to mention disappointing) I finally got my hands on a Marth and I was hoping to hear details that would justify my work and cost
@MasterBlaster
The Wonderful 101 also says Nintendo in the box. Did it sell millions of copies?
I am definitely buying now. Loved the demo. The waiting wasn't a big deal for me. Just gave me time to think about what to do next and maybe predict what the CPU may do. I use that wait time productively.
@MasterBlaster
No, the mentality you see in the comments is "I whined and female dogged for new IP, this is a new IP, so I'm supporting it because I'm not a hypocrite. If I ask for something I put my money where my mouth is and send a message that this is what we want more of".
Which is an admirable thing to do, rather than complain for years about no new IP then refuse to support new IP when they give them to us.
And it's not like people won't enjoy the game- I hated turn based games until I tried Fire Emblem, and I imagine most who support this game will end up liking strategy games as well once they've played it.
But yes, shame no one bought any of the 2 dozen AAA games on Wii U considering all the complaining I hear. Guess it's just a vocal minority
As much as I want to support new IPs by Nintendo, I just can't bring myself to want this. The steampunk/comic book aesthetic just hasn't worked for me thus far, and the whole third-person tactical strategy schtick just doesn't seem appealing. I may still get it down the line, but my next few months are quite packed with stuff I actually want, so probably not anytime soon.
Oh well. Hopefully, the fact that I'm getting Splatoon day one makes up for this.
@MasterBlaster In some ways yes but it's a bit elitist thinking do you think?
@JaxonH Well, the "I whined and female dogged for new IP, this is a new IP, so I'm supporting it because I'm not a hypocrite" maxim doesn't really make sense for me. People want new IPs not just because they're new IPs; they want new IPs that interest them personally. Nothing wrong with wanting new IPs but not spending money when one comes along if it doesn't appeal to you.
Getting this cause the demo was amazing and I love Abe Lincoln's role in this
Also I think this'll be the most American game of the year
Gosh, waiting for the end of the enemy's turn was really boring in the demo. I hoped the final game wouldn't be like this. There were times I got so bored that dropped the 3DS for a minute to check on my phone. This one's going to the 'Maybe someday' list.
@ricklongo
Well, I might agree if people were more specific when complaining (ie, I want a new 3D platformer or a new strategy game) but that's never the case. People usually just give generic, all encompassing complaints of "new IP" which could be anything, then expect Nintendo to guess what they wanted when they don't even know what they really wanted.
So no, maybe it's not wrong, but it does seem hypocritical, at least to me. Especially when the game is from a studio of renown and high pedigree and is reviewing well.
Been looking forward to this since the announcement, and it doesn't seem to disappoint! It's just a shame Europe has to wait 'til May
Only complaint I have is I wish the pallet of the enemies was a bit more varied I confuse them from a distance sometimes.
The one thing I kept thinking to myself when I played the demo was, "I really hope they speed up the enemy's turns in the final game." Too bad that doesn't seem to be the case.
I still really enjoyed the demo, though, so I'm looking forward to getting this. Maybe they'll update the game eventually to fix that little issue.
I like the game, but it's a little lower on my "to play" list. Perhaps one day.
IS IT FRIDAY YET?! I'm so ready for this game.
@PK_Wonder
Same here. Intelligent systems never does disappoint.
Still can't wait for some more info about the new Fire Emblem for 3DS. Playing through awakening again in my excitement!
Another 2 month wait for us Europeans... Probably just as well, I bought Majora's Mask on launch day and haven't touched it due to MH4 stealing all of my spare time.
I was too bored to even finish the demo.
@Captain_Gonru
I'm almost more excited about the majoras mask pin that comes with my preorder! But yeah, the game is going to be spectacular if the demo was any indication.
LOVED the demo, boring enemy turn waiting aside. I'm glad to hear the full release is largely excellent.
I might buy this later. I have a N3DS to buy Xenoblade and a Iwatch. I have to get my priorities straight. I did enjoy the demo and look forward to a possible buy at a later date.
@JellySplat
I'm actually doing the same thing, replaying FE:A. I'm attempting to do a Classic/Hard zero-death run (I'm taking my time and doing more grinding than I do even in Pokemon... and that's saying something). I'm on Chapter 18, but completing most of the Paralogues first (which are inconsistent in terms of difficulty.)
@PK_Wonder
I trying my luck on a deathless run of Lunatic mode myself! And its really putting my strategizing skills to the test, I'll tell you that much! Did you buy the DLC map "EXPonential Growth"? You literally cannot beat Lunatic mode without that map.
I couldn't stand waiting for the enemy to move in the demo. To me this was a game breaker. It's a shame because aspects of this game are really great, but I can't stand the frustration of just sitting there looking at the screen. I'll pass on this one.
The waiting thing really annoyed me more than I expected in the demo. Still, might get this, but not at full price.
I'll try to grab this a soon as I can, I had a lot of fun with the demo and this scratched my turn-based-strategy itch much better than Awakening. Hopefully there's a good future for this game.
Glad to hear the game is great, I admit I rushed a bit the demo and I'm not even sure if I liked it or not ^_^; "Luckily" we have to wait till May in Europe, plenty of time for check it again XP
I'm surprised however that the amiibo feature couldn't be tested... Really no figure was avaiable? Their stock is really becoming a mistery for me, I know Marth is still missing in America, but here Ike has been common since launch >.>;
@Zodiak13 that's just the thing. You haven't heard from "EVERYONE!"
@leo13
I actually got a german Ike on Amazon.de at the regular price. I don't have a new 3DS so I can't use it for STEAM, though.
Day one buy for me. I loved the demo and after Awakening I have full faith in them. To bad I have to wait to use my fire emblem amiibo until the add on comes out for the old 3ds.
Day one buy for me. I loved the demo and after Awakening I have full faith in them. To bad I have to wait to use my fire emblem amiibo until the add on comes out for the old 3ds.
@Zodiak13 I'm one of the few people who rarely asks for new IP from Nintendo, and I still buy them. I'm getting this game and I can't freaking wait to play it.
@sinalefa wow, smart move in still looking for an Like, in fact I'll look around again today after work
Day one purchase. I was always excited for this game ever since it was revealed.
I'm getting this. It reminds me a bit of XCOM.
I hope everyone who complains about Nintendo not making new IPs will shut up and put their money where their mouth is and support this.
Totally Day1 purchase for me. I also wish more games would have the rewards you earned during the demo transfer over to the full version like in Codename STEAM.
I'm not interested at all but I hope that the game does well so Nintendo can justify creating new IPs. Not really surprised with the 8 but I hoped it would get a 9.
@BakaKnight
Yeah Ike is pretty common on most stores. Marth is also available on most GameStops here in Torino.
Anyways, too bad this game will come out on May as with Kirby Rainbow. I'll be playing MK8 DLC and Splatoon by then. I would have bought this day one if it gets release this month.
I was completely uninterested in this title. I paid zero attention during the E3 reveal and the E3 treehouse coverage. My eyes glazed over during the ND as well. But I downloaded the demo, because why not? And I had way more fun than I expected. I definitely want to get this now! Probably not day 1 because I just got into MH4U and don't think I have time for this yet, but soon!
I really thought I wasn't going to like this, but after playing the demo I only wanted more. And I honestly didn't mind the enemy turn. It gave me a moment to collect my thoughts. Plus, the music is just freaking rad. I can't wait for Friday here in North America!
I just need the Amiibo scanner for the old 3DS.
I'll only state that this new IP isn't the kind of game I play so that's why I probably won't be buying it. I reject the idea that no new IP will happen if people don't buy this, rather they might choose a different genre next time, which would be good if you're like me and do not typically enjoy turn-based strategy. This selling well will likely mean a sequel in the same genre so...
Now, all I need is an Ike amiibo, and I'll be all set! Heavy sigh...
It's nice to get a new IP, but I'm not getting this because I have less than zero interest in it. And I'm not going to spend money on a game I'll never play.
I bought Wonderful 101 and I'm buying Splatoon, so don't call me a hypocrite, for crying out loud. You people are way too intense over this.
Time limit to end your turn in multi but not in single player? Well, that make sense, I wouldn't want it any other way.
I really enjoyed the demo and the game's aesthetic and concept. The waiting was a little longer than I liked, but it kind of adds some suspense to the game. The aliens are actually moving somewhere out there, and the length of the wait clues you in to how many are left and where they might be. Sometimes they're closer than you think, and you're chillin' waiting for the bar to finish when BLAM, suddenly: alien in your face. But you had overwatch going, so joke's on him.
So yeah, it could have been sped up (I wonder if they'll add an option for faster enemy movement in an eventual update), but it's not without some value in the game's concept. But then, I'm one of those who likes to play with the battle animations on in Fire Emblem, so I'm not a speedrunner in any way whatsoever. That might be why my backlog is so long...
So, not a day 1 buy for me (Majora's Mask and MH4U are already destroying my social life), but could make a great inevitable summer gaming drought purchase.
I got a marth amiibo at target the day amiibos were released they had five Marths,wii fit trainers, and villagers.
I have both the marth and Ike amiibo. I can't wait to get this on Friday I have almost 40,000 medals on the demo. I played the demo for a long time the week of the demo's release.
I wonder if this game will get some free dlc in the future or some special rewards for online play?
Well,looks like I'll try to get this game soon along with Kirby,Majora's Mask 3D,and Mario Party 10.
Day one buy!
I do wonder about the turn wait. Is it partially a processing power issue? Otherwise, I can't imagine the developers not letting you speed it up.
It is true that there are opportunities for understanding where your enemies are and I think some people are just lost in this game the way they talk about it or don't understand how to play well. Sometimes the easier levels let people just play in a way that is boring, but I know that when I was trying to learn the best ways to play and not get hit I was paying very close attention during the enemy moves.
Still would appreciate a speed up button if it was possible. Maybe it's not.
This doesn't come out until Friday in US? Hah, no wonder all the shelf space behind the label was empty. Here I thought they sold out.
Day one buy for me. I played the heck out of the demo and loved it, but for now I need to start play FE:A, haven't played that since 2014.
@Jaxon_H
Seriously, turn-based tactical games are not everyone's cup of tea. New IP or not. Personally I really like it. I'd be buying this if my game time wasn't already saturated, but if it was on Wii U I'd probably buy it now anyway.
Definitely getting this.
I must be the only person here thats extremely on the edge of whether this is for me or not.....the demo was JUST alright.
I'll pass on this one. I just don't have any interest in it.
Might get it if I had a 3DS, but it hasn't really piqued my interest. I do agree that Intelligent Systems is fantastic, though.
I've supported most of Nintendo's new IP's, but I won't be buying this. I hated the demo. Also, I can't stand all this patriotic nonsense the story seems to be full of.
@earthboundlink Agree with everything you said. I think the Alien Turn wait time was intentional and I found it to be effective in the setting the tension for the game.
Maybe it's a patience thing. In his review of this game on IGN, Jose Otero mentioned that multiplayer is like "Speed Chess". Well, I think the regular story mode is like "Normal Chess" haha. I don't mind waiting while the aliens make their moves.
Hoping to pick it up on Friday.
I hated the demo at first due to the limiting controls, but it was much more enjoyable with the Circle Pad Pro or the C-stick on the New 3DS. If I hadn't tried it with one of the alternative control options, I wouldn't have considered this game at all.
I'm not into the steampunk aesthetic at all, but I have a good feeling that I'll enjoy the full game knowing that Intelligent Systems is behind it.
I hated waiting during the enemy turn in the demo & reminds me of old x-com game, why couldn't they see how annoying it was & do something like let the enemies all instantly appear at their location unless they're in view or even an on/off toggle or something. I'll still get it tho lol
I'll definitely be getting this! I had a lot of fun with the demo.
I love how on this site there's more comments and interest in New ips that aren't coming to Nintendo. Rather than new ips like this one that are coming to Nintendo. Support with your dollars not empty words. Anyway I'm buying this . Got my copy reserved..
I'll wait for a price drop to buy this.
Not interested in the aesthetics or context. Still, I hope it sells well enough.
Nice review and nice score! I liked the demo, so I might get it. Hopefully I can get it somewhere (Fire emblem Awakening was nowhere available, so I sadly had to download it from the e-shop)! So its a little bit like "League of extraordinary gentlemen", character wise! That was a fun movie, though certainly not the greatest I have seen. Oh, that was also based on a comic!
I'll be getting this game somehow.
Odd that this site gave this game a good review unlike the others.
I'm all for Nintendo experimenting with new IPs, but I can't bring myself to buy this. I didn't enjoy the demo; it's just not my style of game. Plus I have to get Hotline Miami 2 and Axiom Verge this month, and I'm much more excited for those. Glad some people are enjoying this game though.
@Zodiak13 I didn't like the demo of this game and I don't like the way the game feels, but I still want Nintendo to keep working on new IP. It's okay to want great new IP out of Nintendo and still not buy one when they release one.
If a game doesn't interest you, you don't have to buy it. Period. Nobody should feel obligated to buy a game they're not interested in just to urge Nintendo to invest in innovative new games. They should be doing that anyway.
I'm impressed by the demo, so this is a definite purchase for me. Nice review though, I think if it's not that long anime turn wait, this could be an easy 9/10.
I can't say I'm interested in this game, it doesn't look very interesting. Splatoon shows a lot more promise as a new IP TBH.
I was getting this regardless, it just looks like my type of game. Nice to see it got a decent score here.
@Tulio517
I agree, enemy turns took too long and that was on my New 3DS, Which means a longer wait for those with the regular 3DS. I won't buy unless this is fixed.
Well, I'll wait until there's a homebrew patch solution to the loading/turn-taking issue before I consider getting this one... Even Valkyria Chronicles 2 & 3 on the PSP (weaker hardware trying to run similar aesthetics to the PS3 original, games required saving extra data to memory stick to reduce loading) did not have anything resembling this technical problem. There is no excuse for it.
This actually reminds me of the loading and FPS issues in Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions for the PSP. For whatever reason, the developers couldn't figure out how to fix it, so it had to be fixed by a homebrew patch. It looks like the same solution is going to have to apply here, at some point...
I have difficulty understanding this social system of peer pressure, of chastising each other for the purpose of buying (or not buying) certain new games. Not everyone is in a position to buy all of these new games when the market wants us to; the market's financiers have always had more control over what gets released and promoted than we do, even when we do support certain products. (The only exception is crowd-funded projects, e.g. from Kickstarter.)
Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like there was more of an understanding of that concept 15-20 years ago - I learned that by reading through gaming magazines with poignant editorials, like GamePro.
@NbaJunkie
Well said.
@RainbowGazelle That "patriotic nonsense" is actually a shockingly accurate representation of the nationalistic fervor that many people are trained/programmed from childhood into adulthood to have...
I already had this game preordered and fully paid for two weeks ago, and I haven't even tried the demo. I'm just very confident in Intelligent System, and I love the comic book aesthetic. I'm also loving all of Nintendo's new IPs. Gonna pick it up on Friday!
Yeah, 20 hours campaign. Nice.
Modern games: you can beat campaign in 3-5 hours.
I played first Golden Sun in 20-25 hours, Lost Age in 40-60 hours.
Any Final Fantasy in 40 hours minimum.
And another game on 3ds with online (finally) multiplayer.
Shame that we in Europe need to wait 2 months but i hope its worth.
Also are there any dropping in frame rate when you turn on 3d mode?
And "dear" Nintendo, remove this dumb limit of 12 games using Streetpass.
Becuse including this, this will be my second game with streetpass off because off that dumb limit. (not to mention people who got even more games than i)
So nothing but steam and mirrors. Just as i expected.
I'm getting this game (^_^) The demo was so much fun.
"the game stars Henry Fleming - the character from The Red Badge of Courage"
"Fleming is constantly spouting earnest, motivational speeches"
This is interesting, because anyone who has read even a portion of The Red Badge of Courage knows Project STEAM's representation is the complete opposite of Private Fleming's character in the book. He is a pragmatic yet somber fellow, amplified by his demoralizing situation in a civil war. He would be more likely to criticize the chain of events in war- he saw happy promotional speeches involving conflict as unrealistic, even perhaps as propaganda.
I know they were going for a Captain America sort of character, but they really would have had a difficult time picking a more unsuitable character inspiration than Private Fleming to be the representative of stalwart, unswerving optimism. It's as if the person who came up with this character's concept remembered that they read the book back in school, so they had the bright idea to just go ahead and use them. (As it turns out, in a completely contradictory role. )
I think it would have been interesting to see a more reflective and somber storyline, fitting in with Fleming actually being more akin to the Red Badge of Courage persona.
Buying it just so I can use my Marth.
I've been having a difficulty getting hyped for any game as of late... Other Etrian Mystery Dungeon, I can't find any excitement for any game...then I read this review, the train is a little rusty, but hype mode engage!!!!!! I played a tiny bit of the demo a few weeks ago, I'll fire it back up later today or tomorrow and get Code Name S.T.E.A.M soon!!!!!!!
@Artwark
What others? Metacritic currently has 16 reviews, 11 of those are 80s (take or give a few points) so the consensus seems to be the same. Of course you can always trust Gamespot to give a low review.
Hate to say it, but I couldn't get into this game after trying the demo. I think part of it is I haven't played through a strategy game since Shining Force on the Sega Smash Pack for Dreamcast and I'm used to top-down 2D graphics versus 3D. I wasn't too big on the voice acting either.
But to each his or her own, right?
@Zodiak13
More frustrating than that is when Nintendo does something new, but uses Mushroom Kingdom characters, and people drone about how it's "just another Mario game." Just because Mario Strikers, Mario Tennis, and Mario Kart have many of the same characters and locales does not make them the same games!
Definitely getting this. Even if I wasn't a huge Intelligent Systems fan this is my type of game.
Wonder if they could tweak the game in an update to add a fast forward type button for enemy turns. Not a deal breaker but I can see it becoming an irritant.
I knew from the moment I played the demo that this game was a good one so I don't need a review to tell me that. My bro is picking it up tomorrow and while he is playing it I will finally get around to playing Fire Emblem Awakening since that one has been waiting for me for quite some time now.
I'll probably skip this one. Didn't find it at all appealing during my time with the demo (all missions maxed out) - to me it showed as an oversimplified (you can't even change stances!) Valkyria Chronicles with uninteresting adversaries and uninteresting characters, presented in low-polygon graphics with low resolution, repetetive textures and quite average sound design.
Brand is not enough for me to buy a game, as is not the name of company who made it. I honestly wish that Intelligent Systems returned to Advance Wars and gave us proper strategy title. As it stands, Codename S.T.E.A.M is definently off my radar.
8 is a bit generous. It really should be a 7 (7 is a good score, people, I don't understand why reviewers use it as a baseline) but then it should be knocked down to 6 for being so damn slow.
@Captain_Gonru - Actually, my warranty is far expired I'd guess, and actually, my dad did drop it, which caused the button to stop working. Regardless, I use my 2DS like a normal person would use a phone - I record games on it, take pics, browse the internet, etc. I think I'd feel like a part of myself was gone if I had to part with it for a week. IDK what I'd do if it never got to Nintendo somehow either, even though I've done tons of mail trades over the years, and only a couple things have went missing, thankfully in not-so-important trades...
@JaxonH I don't understand the timing when it comes to the EU. Same time as Splatoon, the MK8 DLC and the rest of what you have had Feb/March. Dunno what I will do because I do prefer Wii U games to 3DS ones. (For Wii U most of the time I think it is worth it - The opposite applies to full price 3DS games.)
I have Awakening. Marth and Ike amiibo. Its a moral duty u.u
Citizens look sharp if you fear the amiibo futures dark something Marthy is approaching. Who here is ready to join a team I call code name steam. Remember this acronym Strike Team Eliminating the Alien Menace.Also I'm I the only one who got a marth and Ike amiibo during the launch date.
Anybody else notice this game is like the new xenoblade x theme were half of the people love it and the other half hate it.
@grimbldoo
But what people don't understand is a review is an opinion. Why do people insist on telling someone else their personal opinion is wrong? It happens so often but still cracks me up.
Totally gonna get this. I might wait a while though. I'm really into Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate right now.
@sweetiepiejonus
I know, right? But when you think about it, their just stating their opinions too, so it's almost the same thing, minus the whole in-depth review part.
@grimbldoo
I know but I'm not telling you that you can't score a game too low. If you think it's a 6 then it's a 6 for your not so in depth review, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Some of my favorite reader letters in Game Informer are the people who rant about scores of reviewers.
I personally think the whole numbers grading should be done away with. But some people don't like to actually read reviews so I know that won't happen.
I really amazed they left the enemy turns the way they are as previews were all over this! Hopefully this will get patched to make it more inline with the Total War style of skipping everything you can't see.
I greatly enjoyed the demo and my girlfriend and I have Ike and Marth Amiibos between us, and this seems to be their best implementation so far! This could very well be my next 3ds purchase.
Polygon gave this game a 3.5! After playing this demo I'm really surprised NL gave it such a good review.
Game looks off. Bad art direction, terrible graphics, uninteresting story, yeah, that about sums it up. I already preordered it because I love strategy games but idk. Its my favorite genre but this looks like a sh** mobile game.
Hopefully I'm pleasantly surprised. The developer usually doesn't let me down. Otherwise back to Shallie and MH4.
This game is awesome. I've played through the first few levels and I'm impressed. I really believe the "alien movement" is being overexaggerated. Yes you need to wait, but when you're barely clinging to life it adds some suspense. Have we lost patience in today's world? To each their own, but I am loving this game!
@TheDivine
"Game looks off. Bad art direction, terrible graphics, uninteresting story, yeah, that about sums it up."
I don't know why people keep saying the graphics have bad art direction. It clearly doesn't. You just don't like the art style they picked. There's a big difference. It's based on comic books (as I'm sure you are well aware), and the cutscenes even play out like you're reading a comic book. They nailed what they were going for. It works well within the game, and everything is very vivid while in motion.
We judge too quick sometimes. The game is surprisingly fantastic, I love it so far. It's a strange one for sure, but I find it awesome that Abraham Lincoln has scrapped together a rag tag crew to fight aliens. It's entirely bonkers, but it runs with it well.
@sweetiepiejonus
Honestly, the whole numbers thing is misleading; reviewers who just say whether the game is worth playing or not tend to be more reliable.
But I don't think that we have to get rid of numbers altogether, we should agree on what what each number means and stick to those definitions.
Like:
9: Everyone should have this game; if you don't like it, you're weird.
8: Most people will like this game; it's worth every penny
7: It's 50/50; if you're in that 50, buy it.
6: This is a niche game, if it's your niche, buy it
5: Worth buying but only on sale
4: Worth buying but only on sale (niche)
3: Worth playing but not buying
2: Worth playing but not buying (niche)
1: This game is not even worth playing
0: This game is so broken/buggy/unfinished it's not playable
@grimbldoo
That's kind of how Game Informer does it. I would argue though that if a game gets anything from a 4 or under, it's just not worth your time. It's just a varying degree of how terrible is it from that point on. If a game gets a 4 (from most reviewers), I would never consider it even if it's on sale. That to me says, it doesn't deserve my time.
If you think about it, it's more or less a grade if reviews are based on 0-10. Even if it isn't meant to be thought of that way, it is, because our world has shaped it to be that way (school, etc.). I don't think gaming needs to be different in that way. It's not good if a game gets a 4, or in essence a 40%. It's a failing grade, it's just a matter of how badly it failed. Technically a 5 falls under that too, but I'm fine with what you said about that above.
I like the numbers because they give a little bit of context at the end as to how important the reviewer thought any complaints were and how much the things complained about messed with the overall experience. The difference between "the game crashed once and only once but I feel like I should mention it" and "the game repeatedly crashed and it was really hard to have fun with it" for example. Like this game. Clearly, the slow enemy turns didn't stop Mr. Meyer from enjoying this game enough to suggest a purchase. It helps the reader to keep those complaints in context.
I've had my eye on this one since E3. I've never expected anything genre changing, but it looks like a fun, 20 hour turn based strategy game with a sense of humor.
@grimbldoo Usually the number often reflects how much that enjoyed it. Also how well it's made and the originality.
@MoonKnight7
School grades are a on a scale of five, A, B, C, D, and F. A-D are passing grades (though some things require a grade of C) and F is failing. If you blow that up to match a scale of ten, 9-2 are passing and 1-0 are failing. But since D is barely passing and often doesn't count as passing, 3-2 are not worth buying.
You see? It actually lines up, .
Games should be graded on whether or not they should be bought (that is why we read reviews anyway) so 5 and 4, being the middle numbers, should be the baseline to say that it is worth owning, but probably just on sale.
@R-L-A-George
The number should only reflect on how much you enjoyed it. Taking all the other crap into consideration just gets in the way.
Enjoying it alot, especially since one character is voiced by the guy that does Finn the human! I LOVE the music so far, and I enjoy the characters too, and surprisingly the steampunk aesthetic has grown on me.
@grimbldoo I agree to an extent. Some sites have ways to rate everything. One even has a separate subjective scoring table. Scoring methods are interesting. Depending on the site, scoring can be beneficial or harmful.
Such as this game, Polygon writer didn't even finish the game and gave it a lower score than AC: Unity, AC:Unity was broken. Polygon may benefit from not having the score system since they often score based on how much money and how "progressive" the game is.
@R-L-A-George
Yeah, I needed to clarify on that a little bit, lol . I feel that the rating of a game should be given to it before a reviewer takes all of those other details into account, because when he/she starts to analyse the game, he/she might add or take away points for things that didn't really affect him/her during the game play. Of course, all of those details are what make the game enjoyable, so the reviewer should express his/her feelings about them in the long review.
@MoonKnight7
Ah, yeah that's very easy to confuse. We use percentages in grades but it's still fitted to a 5 point scale
A = 100-90%
B = 89-80%
C = 79-70%
D = 69-60%
F = 59-0%
If we blow that up into a scale of ten:
9 = 100%
8 = 99-90%
7 = 89-85%
6 = 84-80%
5 = 79-75%
4 = 74-70%
3 = 69-65%
2 = 64-60%
1 = 59-55%
0 = 54-0%
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The game is suppose to be exciting I assume. The names are unoriginal but anyhows whatevers because it is in 3d and with technology today we could make anything look interesting. Steampunk genre game attempting to use post "Elizabethan exploration world characters". In all honesty they are far apart with the Mark Twain. Next thing you will know is that some dumb kid is going to pick this up and start reading Hemingway, "The Dead", and other short stories from that age.
After playing this game for a while, I think it'll be an underrated gem, highy sought after in some years. The X-Com-esque tactical side, the graphics, the litterary references to so many writers (kudos to the HP Lovecraft references), the playabilty, the dialogs, everything is fun! It's definitly a must for anyone who like strategy games!
Totally agree with Kosmo. The game is highly underrated.
The major flaw (the slow ennemy phase) has been fixed by the 1.1 patch.
It's really very exciting to have this turn by turn dans 3D-TPS view. It's also quite challenging, but very exciting to explore a map and find the best way to use your team.
This really reminds me of XCOM
@Pho there's so many great voice actors in this. Micheal Dorn as John Henry had me hooked long before Finn shows up as Tom Sawyer. Hearing Mr. Worf talk about running out of steam is just the greatest lol
I understand games don't get rescored after patch updates, that's unfortunate but that's how it goes. There's an indie game on 3ds " silver falls 3 down stars" it's an over shoulder survival horror game about aliens and mutated animals in a small secluded mountain town. It's made by a low resource one man game studio "Sungrand". It plays like a RE4/silent hill. When it was launched and reviewed it was in version 1.0 or 1.1 and was horribly broken and glitchy. This was eventually fixed...and yet the score and bad reviews remain, that's just how it goes. The games he made are amazing and one of a kind experiences on 3ds, there's nothing like silver falls 3 down stars except for high budget RE revelations and RE mercs. An indie game of this scale should've been received far better but...life isn't fair haha. Anyways codename steam is a masterpiece imo.
@Jhomesjones Truly a very well made game, and a shame that it was dismissed by the majority of people.
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