Sigma Theory: Global Cold War

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 345 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • replayability
Sigma Theory: Global Cold War Game Cover
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In "Sigma Theory: Global Cold War," you lead your country's Sigma division to harness a groundbreaking scientific discovery before other superpowers do, utilizing a team of elite agents and advanced technology to gain an edge in the global race for dominance. This turn-based strategy game from the creators of "Out There" features espionage, diplomacy, and research, with the potential to reshape the world's political and financial landscape.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 345 reviews
gameplay30 positive mentions
stability4 negative mentions
  • Engaging gameplay with a unique blend of espionage, strategy, and diplomacy.
  • Variety of agents and their traits add depth and replayability to the game.
  • Stylish art and music create an immersive atmosphere.
  • Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating and unpredictable outcomes.
  • Lack of depth in certain gameplay mechanics, making it feel repetitive after a few runs.
  • Some bugs and UI issues detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay116 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by its initial complexity that becomes addictive after a few hours of play, but ultimately lacks depth and variety, leading to repetitiveness. While the mechanics are engaging and offer strategic choices, many players feel that the reliance on luck and the simplistic nature of the gameplay detracts from the overall experience. Despite its polished design and interesting premise, the game is often described as shallow, with limited content that may not sustain long-term interest.

    • “Looks a bit complicated at first glance, but if you give it 1 or 2 hours to figure out all the mechanics, it gets very addictive.”
    • “Very addicting as the mechanics begin to click.”
    • “The gameplay itself is simple to get a hang of, though a bit clunky at times.”
    • “This is a game that should not have 'monopoly' mechanics where my fate of winning and losing comes down to RNG instead of actually planning ahead.”
    • “I really like this game but after a couple of hours you start to get bored because the game doesn't offer any more new patterns, dialogues, or mechanics for you to discover.”
    • “Missions are quite repetitive, dialogue is sub-par, and mechanics are very shallow.”
  • story101 mentions

    The game's story is set in a near-future scenario where players manage espionage efforts among global powers, featuring a straightforward yet enjoyable plot reminiscent of classic strategy games. While the narrative includes some interesting elements, such as character backgrounds and extraction missions, many players feel it lacks depth and meaningful choices, resulting in a somewhat shallow experience. Overall, the story provides a basic framework for gameplay but leaves room for expansion and greater character development.

    • “The plot is set ten years in the future from whenever you start the game, which is a neat little trick by the developers, and you are one of ten global powers in a race to develop some crazy, world-changing technologies.”
    • “I enjoyed it thoroughly from the 'new cold war' storyline to the cool political features.”
    • “The story you build is cool, and the game is challenging.”
    • “The story in story mode is pretty short, just like the game.”
    • “The game doesn't really do much with this story, unfortunately.”
    • “Very lazy game design, not enough immersion, not enough story, no interesting characters or events, shallow, and repetitive gameplay.”
  • replayability42 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its strategic depth and variety of agents that offer different playstyles, while others find it limited after initial playthroughs. Many reviews suggest that the game could benefit from additional content, such as more endings or storylines, to enhance replay value. Overall, while some players enjoy the replay potential, others feel it lacks sufficient depth and variety to justify multiple playthroughs.

    • “Between 3 modes, 10 countries, countless agents, and a total of 25 technologies that have a decisive impact on the game, the replayability is huge.”
    • “It gives you so much replayability with a lot of agents with different traits and stats; there are so many tactics for you to use. You can play aggressively, passively, diplomatically, and many more—it's astonishing.”
    • “All in all, it's a very entertaining game, with a high potential for replayability due to the random elements of scientists and diplomats, and the unlocking of new unique agents to play around with.”
    • “The downside of this is that, unfortunately for replayability, a lot of the intrigue of the game is based in figuring out how to approach the game itself - once you can consistently win games it gets a bit thinner.”
    • “One full game is a couple of hours and I don't think it is replayable after this unless you aim for rare achievements.”
    • “A few bugs not critical and the lack of replayability are the dark side of this game.”
  • graphics32 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful artwork and atmospheric music, which effectively set the tone for the game's themes of espionage and intrigue. While some reviews note that the visuals are simple and not the main selling point, the overall aesthetic is considered appealing and consistent, enhancing the gameplay experience. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay limitations, the artistic direction and presentation are highlighted as standout features.

    • “The artwork is beautiful and perfectly fitting to the setting.”
    • “The visuals are very appealing and the soundtrack does so well to set the tone of the Cold War and all the subterfuge and espionage that goes along with it.”
    • “All of the aesthetics of a fantastic cyberpunk game that mixes the influences of Deus Ex with Uplink to create a fantastic world of conspiracy, espionage, and intrigue.”
    • “Sigma Theory is a great concept and certainly interesting, but the gameplay is limited, the graphics mediocre, and the fun factor very low.”
    • “The graphics are simple and efficient but aren't the selling point of the game.”
    • “Sigma has great potential, but the game is what is called a 'polished rock.' If only the gameplay was as well done as the aesthetics.”
  • music19 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the overall experience and setting the right mood, particularly in relation to its themes of espionage and the Cold War. While some users note that the soundtrack is not extensive, it is described as solid and fitting, contributing to the game's aesthetic alongside its beautiful artwork. Overall, the combination of music and visuals creates a captivating atmosphere that many players appreciate.

    • “Aesthetically it's really nice, the art and music are perfect and create a great atmosphere.”
    • “The visuals are very appealing and the soundtrack does an excellent job of setting the tone of the Cold War and all the subterfuge and espionage that goes along with it.”
    • “Gorgeous art and music, stylistically luxurious and with the right balance between realism and escapism.”
    • “The soundtrack is okay, but it's nothing special, at least for me.”
    • “Some elements Sigma does equal to Syndicate are the game art, the story and plot, and the soundtrack.”
    • “A few other smaller points: the still images are nice and consistent but this would be better with more animation; the music is solid all around; and the diplomacy system is too simple to be interesting or act as an alternative path to success.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful artwork and immersive music, which effectively enhance the overall experience. Many players feel that the aesthetic elements and setting are strong enough to carry the game, even if the gameplay itself is lacking. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that resonates with those who appreciate a rich, atmospheric environment.

    • “Aesthetically it's really nice, the art and music are perfect and create a great atmosphere.”
    • “I honestly loved the art and overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Great game, great music, great atmosphere!”
    • “The atmosphere (map and music, I guess mostly) resembles X-COM, and overall story progression leaves similar feelings.”
    • “This game is all about atmosphere and some roleplay.”
    • “You can feel the atmosphere the devs went for, and the addition of something like the spouse mechanic made me feel like I was living 'True Lies' the movie, but instead of being big Arnold, I was just the head of operations trying to not screw up my marriage.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted as a strong point, with players finding it both funny and entertaining, particularly in scenarios involving extortion and character interactions. However, some feel that the lack of character banter and balance in the story mode detracts from the overall fun, making it less enjoyable for repeated play.

    • “Seemed a very funny game.”
    • “Extorting foreign diplomats using our very own implanted ransomwares can produce lots of hilarious results.”
    • “This game really needs some character banter, even if it's some generic archetype (kind, harsh, funny, serious characters).”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with some users reporting occasional freezes and bugs, which is expected given its early access status. While these issues can detract from the experience, many players still see potential in the game and find it enjoyable despite the technical problems.

    • “In rare cases, it freezes for some time while playing.”
    • “It's buggy, poorly explained, and ultimately unenjoyable.”
    • “I bought this game around 2 days ago. With its early access, I immediately knew that bugs, glitches, and issues would be found in the game.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite demanding, particularly in the late game where waiting for research can become tedious. However, the balance of actions per turn keeps the gameplay engaging, allowing players to manage multiple agents and schedule interactions without feeling overwhelmed.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding in this game is both rewarding and addictive.”
    • “Grinding becomes a satisfying journey as you unlock new abilities and gear.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The late game can get very tedious, just waiting for the research to end.”
    • “The number of actions allowed per turn is just about right, never becoming tedious to ensure that all four agents are doing something and even allowing you to schedule in a few meetings with foreign government leaders.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, with some expressing that it evoked tears and deep feelings. The immersive atmosphere and unique mechanics, such as the spouse dynamic, enhance the experience, making players feel personally invested in their characters' relationships and decisions.

    • “My friend said I should try it, but it made me cry; why did I even try?”
    • “You can feel the atmosphere the developers aimed for, and the addition of something like the spouse mechanic made me feel like I was living 'True Lies' the movie. Instead of being big Arnold, I was just the head of operations trying not to screw up my marriage.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized for its lack of RPG elements, with minimal progression that fails to leave a lasting impact, as players feel the experience concludes too quickly to foster meaningful growth.

    • “Unfortunately, there are no RPG elements or character development features, and even if there are, they are minimal. Each game ends too soon to have any meaningful impact.”
    • “The lack of character development makes it hard to feel invested in the story or the characters themselves.”
    • “Character progression is almost non-existent, leaving players feeling disconnected from their avatars.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Users have expressed dissatisfaction with the game's optimization, indicating that performance issues significantly detract from their overall enjoyment and willingness to continue playing.

    • “The performance makes me not want to play this much more.”
    • “The game is riddled with optimization issues that severely impact the experience.”
    • “I constantly experience frame drops and stuttering, which ruins the immersion.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

12hMedian play time
14hAverage play time
6-25hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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