Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is a unique third-person strategy adventure from Nintendo and Intelligent Systems, the developers of the Paper Mario series. The game takes liberties with history by putting you on a team led by Abraham Lincoln, with the principal goal of squashing aliens with steam-powered weapons.
The game can take some getting used to, especially when it comes to figuring out battles, but we have some tips that will give you an edge.
Full Steam Effect
Your character, no matter which one you play as (you start with Henry Fleming and unlock others over time), run on a steam meter located on the 3DS bottom screen. For each movement you make on the battlefield, you’ll lose one block of steam, while firing a weapon costs three. The idea is to make the most of your turn, firing at enemies while at the same time keeping yourself safe when they attack.
The best thing you can do is plan each move accordingly. Move forward so you progress towards the goal (highlighted in green), and if you put an enemy in your sights, make sure you have enough steam to take a shot and then scramble behind cover.
Cover is vital, because if you’re not in a good hiding position, an enemy can take a shot at you and chip away at your health. Once your character runs out, the battle is over and you’ll need to try again. Think strategically and make sure they’re not out in the open.
For good measure, try to find a spot where it could take your adversaries a bit longer to reach you. They’re also stuck within a limited steam-like movement system, and your placement could easily mean all the difference between these creatures hitting you or vice versa.
That doesn’t mean you should be afraid to go on the offensive, but you also don’t want to leave yourself wide open to attack. Use the game’s opening stages to get an idea of how the battle system works, and adapt accordingly.
Overwatch is Your Friend
The Overwatch ability lets you store steam, which you can then use if you need to strike back defensively. This is done automatically when an enemy gets in range, and is about to hit you with an attack.
Conserve at least four blocks of steam when you end a turn. It can be tricky, since there are so many opportunities to hit enemies when they’re close or move around. However, it’ll pay off when your character automatically reacts to an incoming foe, and leaves it dazed enough for you to kill the alien on the next turn.
Remember, Overwatch works both ways. The enemy can easily store up steam-like energy on its own, and if you get close it will attack. Approach with caution and try to strike from a distance if you can, like with John’s grenade launcher.
You can practice Overwatch during the second stage in the game.
Choosing the Right Character for the Job
When you form your squad, you’ll see characters with unique abilities that will help you out in different situations. You can switch to them at any time by pressing their icons on the bottom 3DS screen.
Doing this earns you a little extra steam, should one character run low and left vulnerable as a result (since they won’t be able to move). This can provide great cover from incoming attacks, or provide you with a key offensive opportunity. Keeping your squad safe and healthy is a must, especially in the later stages of the game, when bigger and badder enemies appear.
One character doesn’t have to do everything for the squad, and sometimes a team approach is what you need in order to survive.
On Monday, we’ll cover more advanced tips for Code Name S.T.E.A.M., including how to use items, upgrade with gears and activate certain amiibos so you can play with these characters (Marth, Ike) in the game.
Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is available now for Nintendo 3DS.
