Codename: ICEMAN

Codename: ICEMAN is a product of Sierra On-Line, Inc. from 1989, which was supposed to be the first installment of a new series of adventure games. However, due to the low popularity of the title, Ken Williams has finally decided to abandon his plans to create more episodes of the series.

The action of the programme focuses on John B's adventures. Westland, an officer of the American Navy, who relaxes in Haiti as soon as he starts playing. A well-deserved holiday ends in the blink of an eye, due to the kidnapping of the American ambassador in Tunisia. Our hero has to stand up immediately in Washington, where new orders await him. As one can easily guess, they are connected with the reflection of a diplomat abducted by unknown perpetrators.

The program, for which the famous creator of the Police Quest series, Jim Walls, is responsible, is much more extensive than other products published at the turn of the eighties and nineties by Sierra On-Line, Inc. It is difficult to classify Codename: ICEMAN as an adventure game, because its users have to deal not only with logical riddles, but also with submarine simulation, which is an integral part of the game. The struggles on board a ship are not the easiest. Not only does the player have to focus on handling complex on-board instruments, but also every mistake in navigation leads to the end of the struggle before time.

The adventure part does not differ from other proposals of Sierra On-Line from that period. The hero is controlled by the mouse or cursors, but all commands are given by typing them using the keyboard. As with other studio products, the dictionary is very limited. It often becomes more difficult to find the right words than to work out the way forward.

The game offers a simple but clear low resolution visuals. The program does not support sound cards - all effects and music are played via PC Speaker.

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Last updated on August 14, 2015