When Codename S.T.E.A.M. was announced at E3 last year I was, at the very least, intrigued. The game is a new IP from first-party Nintendo developer Intelligent Systems, the strategy game geniuses responsible for the Fire Emblem series and Advance Wars. A winning formula backs up Codename S.T.E.A.M., but I have been dubious over the last 7 months. Even after the Nintendo Treehouse demo of the game, I couldn’t fully grasp the hook or draw. Has a hands-on demo changed my mind? You’ll have to read on to find out.
Steam is literally and figuratively the name of the game in Codename S.T.E.A.M. For one thing, the term “steampunk” can be used to describe the world, the story, and the visuals of the game. Steampunk, however, only refers to a story that takes place in an alternate past, had technology ended up being different. The world in the game runs on literal steam too. The opening scenes set up a story in which aliens invade Earth just as the Queen of England is about to make a celebratory appearance at the opening of the Steamgate Bridge in London. You’re immediately put in the shoes of Henry Fleming, followed by John Henry, two American folk lore heroes who were part of the security team at the event. Weird enough for you? Well, as it turns out, Abraham Lincoln is still alive and he captains an airship called “The Lady Liberty” in search of a diverse group of heroes to form his Strike Team Eliminating the Alien Menace (S.T.E.A.M.).
I don’t know why I ever doubted Intelligent Systems.
As for the strategy in Codename S.T.E.A.M., have you guessed yet? Yes, it certainly does revolve around steam. It’s a turn-based system, but with a little third-person action thrown in. Each of your characters use a certain amount of steam clouds with every action they take, including moving. Fortunately, a set amount of steam will be replenished to each of your characters at the start of every turn. It’s a somewhat intimidating restriction at first, but in practice it’s easy to grasp and makes for some fun strategizing. There are plenty of decision-making opportunities right from the start, as you navigate the very first map in the game and take out the alien grunts in your way.
Don’t get me wrong, though: the difficulty ramps up pretty quickly, especially since the steam mechanic requires a different way of thinking than what you may be used to. I failed a mission or two (maybe three) as I tried to wrap my mind around things. I’m okay with a good learning experience, but this did bring out the worst in Codename S.T.E.A.M.: every time the enemy’s turn comes around, you’re forced to sit through the whole thing. I know that’s typical in a turn-based strategy game, but there’s no way (that I discovered anyway) to speed the process up, and the only view you have is from just behind your characters. If a map is big enough (usually it is), a good chunk of your time will be spent looking at dormant aliens who’ve already made their moves, while their comrades in the distance move around unseen. At first the effect was tense and a little creepy, but when you’re on your second or third attempt at a map, it gets old fast.
Despite needing a little patience at times, though, Codename S.T.E.A.M. is fun and fresh. I admittedly haven’t planned on getting the full version, but I’m seriously rethinking that decision. It took me three and a half hours to get through the short amount of campaign that’s found in the demo, so I know there’s plenty of game left.
