Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Summer Preview
  • Prime Day deals
  • New Games 2026
  • Best gaming tech
  • GTA 6
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Action Games

Code Name STEAM is Nintendo's own XCOM in all the right ways

Features
By Henry Gilbert published 7 November 2014

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

It's a bug hunt, man! A bug hunt!

It's a bug hunt, man! A bug hunt!

I've been wanting to play Code Name STEAM ever since I first saw it at E3 2014, and I recently got to dive into Nintendo's steampunk approach to tactics . The fact that Intelligent Systems is developing this 3DS title--they're the people behind Fire Emblem and Advance Wars--is enough to get me on board. But there's more to it than that, the game has a much more western approach to strategy this time around. Not only does it take smart inspiration from PC classic XCOM, but adds Nintendo's touch of whimsy and a ton of collectibles strewn about the stages.

It just might be the most American game Nintendo has ever published too. Under the orders of President Abraham Lincoln (really), STEAM is a group of all American operatives that travel the world to wipe out alien invaders, one headshot at a time. Each team member has their own specialty, like Tiger Lilly's healing prowess or Tom Sawyer's quick jabs with an extending boxing glove (really). The team even has a leaping lion/man hybrid that growls when he lunges at the Lovecraftian aliens (yes, really!). The turn-based action works like the tough-but-fair XCOM, so you need to carefully consider character placement and turn order, all with Nintendo's touch of whimsy and a ton of collectibles strewn about the stages.

Just as in the recent XCOM: Enemy Unknown, using defensive moves like Overwatch and carefully exploring the map are the keys to victory, though STEAM seems to take things a little easier on players. And just like XCOM, I kept thinking "one more turn" as I played and played, right until the demo ended. I look forward to seeing more of it spring 2015--Pres. Lincoln commands it!

Read on to see the latest screens of the game!

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
I wasn't joking--Honest Abe is in the game.

I wasn't joking--Honest Abe is in the game.

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
An alien face just begging to be shot.

An alien face just begging to be shot.

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
Exploring the grid-based map feels surprisingly active.

Exploring the grid-based map feels surprisingly active.

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
Attacking from the high ground is usually a good call.

Attacking from the high ground is usually a good call.

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
Here's Tom Sawyer taking an alien by surprise.

Here's Tom Sawyer taking an alien by surprise.

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
Tiger Lily's healing bazooka at work.

Tiger Lily's healing bazooka at work.

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
This lion/man has a freaking flamethrower!

This lion/man has a freaking flamethrower!

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
This alien was ready to respond with quickly while in overwatch.

This alien was ready to respond with quickly while in overwatch.

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
There are some really fun animations when the characters activate their special attacks.

There are some really fun animations when the characters activate their special attacks.

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
Here's Tom's special attack in motion.

Here's Tom's special attack in motion.

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
Could this character be any more patriotic?

Could this character be any more patriotic?

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
CATEGORIES
Nintendo Platforms
Henry Gilbert
Henry Gilbert
Social Links Navigation

Henry Gilbert is a former GamesRadar+ Editor, having spent seven years at the site helping to navigate our readers through the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. Henry is now following another passion of his besides video games, working as the producer and podcast cohost of the popular Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon podcasts. 

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter
Read more
Shadow of the Road screenshot showing a humanoid bird-like figure hovering over a molten battlefield with wings outstretched
RPGs A "small team with a lot of big ideas" is making a Final Fantasy Tactics-inspired RPG set in steampunk Japan
 
 
Six characters pose heroically in promo art for Star Wars: Zero Company
Strategy Games Star Wars Zero Company will kill story characters, Fire Emblem-style
 
 
A picture of a Nintendo 3DS console next to several of the best 3DS games and Nintendo cards.
Games The 25 best Nintendo 3DS games of all time
 
 
Mouse: P.I. For Hire key art featuring multiple characters like Jack Pepper
FPS Games The only thing missing from this Cuphead-meets-Doom boomer shooter is the heavy metal soundtrack
 
 
Star Wars Zero Company
Strategy Games Star Wars Zero Company lets you explore like it's a third-person action game outside of combat
 
 
Two minotaurs ready their weapons on a battlefield, from the Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era opening cinematic
Strategy Games Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era early access review: "The legendary strategy RPG series finally reclaims its throne"
 
 
Latest in Action Games
Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 lead says "the most fun thing" in any Rockstar game is "the systems that we make"
 
 
Ocarina of Time remake Link sleeping
The Legend of Zelda Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake more like the 1998 original than Breath of the Wild, fans theorize
 
 
Lucia leaves prison in GTA 6 trailer 2
Grand Theft Auto GTA 6 had "all the studios in the world" planning around the Rockstar Games behemoth, A Plague Tale dev says
 
 
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
Tomb Raider Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Lara Croft actor dislocated her jaw and popped it back into socket while recording
 
 
God of War Laufey trailer screenshots
God of War God of War Laufey's Faye allowed Sony Santa Monica to merge the series' old and new eras, says lead
 
 
Lara Croft explores a snowy mountain in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and walks towards a wooden bridge
Tomb Raider Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis brings back the separate difficulty options from Shadow of the Tomb Raider
 
 
Latest in Features
Toniebox 2 playing Game of Life lifestyle photo with two kids
Board Games My kids won't stop asking to play this new version of The Game of Life
 
 
Stuntman: Hollywood
Racing Games Stuntman: Hollywood was the best 15 minutes of my Summer Game Fest
 
 
Simon Ordell looks at a gadget in his hands in a dark, misty town in key art for Silent Hill Townfall, cropped for a header, with the orange GamesRadar+ Summer Preview 2026 frame
Silent Hill Silent Hill: Townfall would be a better horror game if it had nothing to do with Silent Hill
 
 
My Adventures with Superman season 3
DC TV Shows My Adventures with Superman is what James Gunn's DCU should be
 
 
A Space Marine in worn blue armor and gold trim looking to his left in Total War: Warhammer 40K
Total War Total War: Warhammer 40K is getting a closed beta, and its latest gameplay has sold me
 
 
An angled photo of six pro controllers on a gaming desk
Gaming Controllers I've been reviewing gaming controllers for years; these are my top-tested ones to look out for this Prime Day
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Meccha Chameleon
    1
    What is the Meccha Chameleon max players count?
  2. 2
    GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 lead says "the most fun thing" in any Rockstar game is "the systems that we make"
  3. 3
    Film fans list the movies that didn't deserve to flop at the box office, including Masters of the Universe
  4. 4
    Steven Spielberg didn't want aliens in Indiana Jones, but "compromised" with George Lucas
  5. 5
    Final Fantasy 7 Revelation will have an endgame "unlike Remake and Rebirth," teases the JRPG's lead

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...