Code-Name: Iceman

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.

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.

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.