Code Name S.T.E.A.M. Advanced Tips – amiibo, Earn Gears, Multiplayer

Last week, we published beginners’ tips for Code Name S.T.E.A.M. to help you get accustomed to Nintendo’s alternate history based strategic shooter. This time, we’re breaking it down even further with a few advanced tips that go over upgrades, multiplayer, amiibos and more!

Grab health icons

On occasion, and when fighting out in the open, you may spot a health icon, either from crates you break apart or in plain sight. You should pick one up because it fills your steam meter to maximum capacity.

Granted, getting there may be tricky, since you only have so many steam points you can use per turn. Try to conserve some attack energy and make every effort to reach these, as you’ll refill your points and be able to take on foes with more strength than you had before.

Get used to the pacing

One thing you’ll learn about Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is that it has a unique pacing system, where you’ll go through your turn and then have to watch your enemies go through theirs. Sometimes this can take a great deal of time, especially if it’s a smarter foe like the fast-moving Nettler or the Rippers, who rely on sounds to make their way across the battlefield.

With that, you’ll want to take advantage of these moments by examining the battlefield (when you can) during these enemy turns. You may be able to find the next spot for battle, or better yet, see a foe that needs to be taken out quickly before it damages you.

One thing, though – make sure you fill up on some Overwatch. During enemy turns you’re defenseless, and the Overwatch will protect you with a quick blast, which could make all the difference between life and death.

Gears of war…upgrades

As you work your way through the game, you’ll eventually earn gears that you can use to increase your characters’ capabilities as well as unlock new allies to join the fight, including fictional heroes like the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz.

That said, upgrades should take priority, as you can increase your character’s capability during battles. You’ll be able to boost your current weapons for better efficiency, as well as pick up backpacks that provide even more steam points when fighting, as well as quicker regeneration – meaning less time on enemy turns. Before purchasing new characters, you’ll want to improve these first, as they’ll make it easier to survive the next stage. You can always go back and pick up new characters – and some even unlock over the course of the game.

Compete against a Friend

Code Name S.T.E.A.M.’s multiplayer may not fit a ton of players – it’s limited to two player skirmishes – but it can be a lot of fun, as you battle against gamers in 60-second turns, either in Deathmatch or Medal Match. The difference between the two is that Deathmatch simply has you fighting for survival, while Medal Match has you snagging as many items as you can from deceased enemies.

The timing is similar to the single player game – you receive a turn and then your opponent gets a turn – so the same rules for survival apply. Make sure you horde some Overwatch, find a good hiding spot when your opponent comes around and prepare to go on the offensive.

There’s also another mode called A.B.E. Battle, but this is essentially a quick boxing game, where two robots designed like Abraham Lincoln go at it in a round of fisticuffs. It’s hardly as in-depth as the other modes, but if you’re looking to let off steam – or want to see the spectacle of two gigantic Honest Abes going at it – it’s worth a look.

Bring a few amiibos

Finally, if you want to expand your character roster with some familiar heroes from Fire Emblem, bring Amiibos along for the ride.

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. supports four different characters – Marth, Ike, Robin and Lucina – and tapping them on the side of your New Nintendo 3DS will add them to your roster. Each character has his or her own special weaponry, like Marth’s sacred sword, Ike’s Ragnell blade and more.

Better still, if these characters fall in battle, it’s easy to re-add them. Simply tap their Amiibo to the system and they’ll once again join your roster.

All of these characters are good for up-close strikes and some powered-up charge attacks, so make sure you have at least one in your arsenal. The video below will give you a better idea as to how they work.

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is available now for Nintendo 3DS.