Code-Name: Iceman

aka: Code Name: Iceman, Code-Name: Iceman - a 3-D Animated Adventure Game, Codename: Iceman
Moby ID: 436
DOS Specs
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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

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 66% (based on 20 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.3 out of 5 (based on 61 ratings with 9 reviews)

A ridiculous failiure? Not even.

The Good
Firstly, I'm in doubt that any gamer could finish Codename: ICEMAN in only a couple short hours without a hint book. While the game may be overly short, simple is one thing it's not. What's good about it? Enough to warrant a look, if little more. To my knowledge, an adventure game based on this kind of modern political intrigue hadn't been attempted before. That alone gives it some sort of value. The "mysterious girl" subplot was also interesting, and could have been developed further.

The Bad
It ends up feeling like a skeleton of an adventure game. Political intrigue, unrest in the middle east, a mysterious female spy, a silent running submarine, a secret mission... these are all things that ought to add up to a classic game, but none of these elements are as fully developed as they could have been. There are also too "few" adventure portions - too much of the game is played in the submarine simulator. And while the underdeveloped plot is still interesting, the game doesn't explain enough to you. Sometimes you find yourself wondering either what you need to do, or what you need to do to accomplish it. There's no sense of urgency in your mission.

The Bottom Line
It's not so much that I disagree with Mr. Gabel's review, but I think that to dismiss Codename: ICEMAN as a "ridiculous failiure" is to overlook its good elements. In playing the game, you can see what Jim Walls and Sierra were attempting. Unfortunately, the game never quite lives up to expectations.

DOS · by Eurythmic (2663) · 1999

Codename: ICEMAN is a foray into techno-thriller fiction by Jim Walls.

The Good
Codename: ICEMAN ("CI" hereon) follows the Police Quest style of mixing reality with interactive adventure fiction. Instead of following police protocol, CI requires the player to follow some basic military protocol and procedures. Fortunately, most of that information is outlined in the manual, allowing you to work your way through the different scenarios with some study.

There are three main segments in this game. The first is the vacation in Tahiti, where you will begin. There, it opens up as an ordinary Sierra adventure, with above average 16 color graphics and a quick simulation puzzle (using the manual) that provides a glimpse of things to come. Later, you will board and command a nuclear submarine. You will spend the majority of the game playing this section, which adds a lot of simulation to the adventure. Finally, you will leave the submarine for the brief conclusion.

The interface to CI is a text parser, and it is a smart one. Most of what you will consider typing is handled by the parser, and when it is not, it usually indicates what words aren't working. Additionally, the mouse can be used a little bit. The puzzles usually make sense, and overall the gameplay is good, albeit difficult at times.

The Bad
In my opinion, the plot of CI is uninteresting. It is getting through the plot that provides entertainment, but many people will be turned off by the difficulty of the journey. Why? Instead of the typical "You wake up and are suffering from amnesia" plot, your character is a Commander in the Navy, and the game expects you to play along with that! You will be referring to the manual and the submarine chart for help, along with common sense. If you make the slightest mistake, it's Game Over -- or worse, you could become trapped and unable to complete the game.

For example, the submarine simulation has a very steep learning curve at the beginning. Any significant mistakes or deviations from procedure will immediately result in failure; if you don't like saving and restoring, this game may not be for you. Fortunately, once you have mastered the simulation, you will realize that it is actually oversimplified and you won't have so much trouble later on.

Other criticisms: You will need the manual and the chart that came with this game in order to play. The music is not memorable. The endgame is thin.

(note: An early review for this title on mobygames indicated a play time of only two hours. This is entirely inaccurate unless you are using a walkthrough or hint book)

The Bottom Line
Codename: ICEMAN is probably not an adventure game for beginners or those who give up easily; it would not be fun to play if you had to cheat or constantly read hints. For the more seasoned adventurer or for those who are interested in the military or techno-thriller fiction, solving the puzzles and finishing this game could be a rewarding, enlightening experience. Flipping through the manual might help someone decide whether or not to play. Keep in mind, this type of game is not for everyone.

DOS · by vni VIC (19) · 2002

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

[ View all 9 player reviews ]

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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  • MobyGames ID: 436
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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.