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

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!