Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a turn-based strategy game where an elite group of soldiers (inspired by characters from American literature) defend Earth from alien invaders in an alternate steam-powered future. While it sounds wacky, there's a surprising level of complexity and strategy to the combat; from picking the best weapons, to attack style, and team dynamics. It's the less well-known spiritual forebear to Steamworld Heist and combines its peculiar reality with turn-based tactics and a unique comic book presentation.

In a steampunk Victorian London, the opening of a new bridge is disrupted when aliens attack. Henry Flemming (from the novel The Red Badge of Courage) and John Henry (a figure from U.S. folklore) are rescued by presumed-dead Presiden Abraham Lincoln and are enlisted into his special task force, S.T.E.A.M., to help neutralise the alien threat. You meet the other members of your team, all characters from folklore or literature (characters from Peter Pan and Moby Dick make appearances), and set out on your mission, travelling the world, defeating aliens, and saving people from danger.

Play involves moving your team of characters through the levels to defeat enemies in turn-based combat. Each stage has a unique objective, such as clearing out aliens, escorting civilians to safety, or rescuing specific characters. The challenge is seeking out your steam action points between moving and shooting.

As you progress you learn that firing different weapons uses differing amounts of steam action points, which requires careful resource management to maximise damage. Ensuring you have enough steam to act always informs your choices. As you play, you unlock new weapons and abilities to experiment with, and coins scattered throughout the level can be used to alter the stats of your team members to suit your play style.

The result is a unique blend of strategic turn-based combat and a fantastical historical steampunk story that combine to create a novel and engaging game where careful planning and tactics are essential.