Code-Name: Iceman
Description official description
In the beginning of the 21st century, Earth is experiencing a global oil shortage. Surprisingly, Tunisia remains one of the few countries still in possession of large quantities of high-quality oil. USA and Soviet governments race each other in their attempts to purchase as much oil as possible. Finally, the Soviets take a step further and kidnap the US ambassador, hoping to provoke an international incident. Naval Officer Johnny Westland is sent to Tunisia with the order of rescuing the ambassador and preventing further escalation of the conflict.
Code-Name: Iceman is primarily an adventure game similar to Sierra's other works in that genre. The player navigates the protagonist in eight different directions from third-person view, and types text commands to interact with the environment. The command "Look" may be typed separately and lead to different text descriptions depending on where on screen the protagonist is positioned. The game is similar to Police Quest series in that it relies on realistic procedures, in this case military instructions, first aid, etc. The player may reach dead ends and resort to restoring an earlier save if some of these procedures are not followed properly. In addition, a considerable portion of the game consists of submarine simulation, requiring the player to navigate a submarine and fight enemy craft.
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Credits (DOS version)
25 People (24 developers, 1 thanks) · View all
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Reviews
Critics
Average score: 66% (based on 20 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.3 out of 5 (based on 61 ratings with 9 reviews)
The Good
The music is OK, but nothing more.
The Bad
Gawwk! This is one of the worst Sierra games I've ever played. It's horribly underdeveloped, way too easy (finished it in about two hours with a friend... when I was 10!) and the ending is as stupid as they get.
The graphics aren't very good and the storyline is really pointless.
The Bottom Line
A stupid Sierra game you should never play.
DOS · by Tomer Gabel (4538) · 1999
A brave, innovative Sierra adventure that ultimately doesn't accomplish much.
The Good
Designed by Jim Walls as a potential spinoff of his Police Quest series, Iceman was way ahead of its time in terms of plot. The game had you take on the role of a Bond-esque military guy on a quest to stop some nasty political business (in the middle east, if I recall correctly). I remember being delighted (at age 12) when I managed to get the girl in bed for the first time (score!).
The Bad
Then again, it is INSANELY difficult and far too obtuse for its own good. Walls' philosophy with the Police Quest games he designed was to simulate actual police protocol, and to a large extent he succeeded (although I never liked the Police Quest games). Cops are "real world" enough that the average, literate person can reasonably be expected to slip into the shoes of a police officer after the minimal instruction booklet briefing. But a super secret military agent guy? Last I checked, not too many of those guys and gals were around, and as such, I had a hard time getting anywhere in this game. How am I supposed to know how to plot waypoints on a nuclear submarine's navigation computer? Yet this is just one of numerous onerous tasks that Iceman thrusts upon you, the gamer. Good luck. This became one of many Sierra adventures for which I had to buy a hintbook (a cottage industry which Sierra started and has since blossomed into a major arm of several publishers).
The Bottom Line
Interesting plot, damn hard adventure gaming, and piloting a submarine. Don't hit the icebergs!
DOS · by Lucas Schippers (57) · 2001
The Good
This game had good music, and a fair plot, and for the time, the graphics were good. I'm not saying I liked this game, but there's no WAY anyone could finish this game, short as it is, in 2 hours. Not the first time anyway.
The Bad
This game WAS too short, I'll give you that, and the puzzles, were kinda iffy. While playing it, I began to wish it would end, and several times I almost fell asleep at the computer. Also, I don't see how any 10 year old could score full points in this game without a walk-through. The instance when you board the submarine alone would have stumped me when I was ten.
The Bottom Line
Don't bother playing it, stick to Space Quest, or Kings Quest. it gets quite dull, and it really isn't worth peeking at.
DOS · by C W (5) · 2000
Trivia
Cancelled sequel
A sequel was mentioned as forthcoming in Sierra's news magazine, but it was never released.
Comic
There was a comic based on the game published in Sierra's magazine. A page of it can be seen at SierraPlanet.
Information also contributed by Giygas 8
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Codename: Iceman Walkthroughs
Several other solutions contributed to The Spoiler Centre -
IMDb
Codename: Iceman page on IMDb -
Walkthrough
Full Walkthrough for Codename: Iceman
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Eurythmic.
Amiga added by POMAH. Windows added by Cavalary. Atari ST added by tbuteler.
Additional contributors: MAT, Jeanne, jean-louis, Martin Smith, formercontrib, Patrick Bregger.
Game added November 15, 1999. Last modified August 21, 2023.