Sigma Theory: Global Cold War

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 690 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • replayability
Sigma Theory: Global Cold War Game Cover
Starting at $0.87Buy now
Get on Steam

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 690 reviews
gameplay60 positive mentions
stability8 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique and engaging premise centered around espionage and diplomacy, allowing players to manage a team of agents to achieve technological supremacy.
  • The art style and atmosphere are well-crafted, creating an immersive experience that enhances the gameplay.
  • The variety of agents and their unique traits provide different strategies and approaches, making each playthrough feel fresh.
  • The game suffers from a heavy reliance on RNG, leading to frustrating moments where players feel they have little control over outcomes.
  • Many mechanics and systems lack depth, resulting in repetitive gameplay and limited replayability after a few runs.
  • The writing and dialogue can be clunky and repetitive, detracting from the overall immersion and narrative experience.
  • gameplay232 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by its initial complexity that becomes addictive after a few hours of learning the mechanics, though many players find it ultimately shallow and repetitive. While the turn-based strategy and unique themes offer some engaging moments, the reliance on luck and limited depth in mechanics lead to a lack of long-term motivation. Overall, the game is seen as polished but could benefit from more content and complexity to enhance replayability and player engagement.

    • “Very addicting as the mechanics begin to click.”
    • “Now that I've figured out how to play it, it has rewarding and replayable gameplay with interesting characters.”
    • “A really stylish and unique game with novel gameplay mechanics, which manages to evoke a sense of global subterfuge and shadowy powerplay better than any other game I've played.”
    • “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.”
    • “Sigma Theory is a great concept and certainly interesting, but the gameplay is limited, the graphics mediocre, and the fun factor very low.”
  • story202 mentions

    The game's story is set ten years in the future, where players navigate a geopolitical landscape as one of ten global powers racing to develop groundbreaking technologies. While the narrative is straightforward and enjoyable, many players feel it lacks depth, with characters often described as one-dimensional and the overall plot being too thin and short. Despite some interesting elements, such as espionage and extraction missions, the story mode is criticized for its limited choices and impact, leaving players wanting more complexity and engagement in the narrative.

    • “The plot is set ten years in the future from whenever you start the game, and you are one of ten global powers in a race to develop some crazy, world-changing technologies.”
    • “The story is simple, direct, but very enjoyable.”
    • “I enjoyed it thoroughly from the 'new cold war' storyline to the cool political features.”
    • “The game doesn't really do much with this story, unfortunately.”
    • “The story in story mode is pretty short, just like the game.”
    • “Very lazy game design, not enough immersion, not enough story, no interesting characters or events, shallow, and repetitive gameplay.”
  • replayability84 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it enjoyable and rewarding due to various agents and strategies, while others feel it lacks depth and content after initial playthroughs. Many reviews highlight that once players master the game, the intrigue diminishes, leading to limited replay value unless new challenges or content are introduced. Overall, while some aspects promise high replayability, the current state of the game leaves many wanting more in terms of content and variety.

    • “Now that I've figured out how to play it, it has rewarding and replayable gameplay with interesting characters.”
    • “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 aggressive, passive, diplomatic, and many more. It's astonishing.”
    • “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.”
    • “Sigma Theory is an interesting computerized board game that's fun for perhaps ten hours but lacks replayability.”
    • “One full game is a couple of hours and I don't think it is replayable after this unless you aim for rare achievements.”
  • graphics64 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful artwork and atmospheric design, effectively setting the tone for a cyber-thriller experience. While some reviews note that the visuals are simple and not the main selling point, the overall aesthetic, including detailed character portraits and a fitting soundtrack, enhances the game's immersive qualities. However, a few critiques mention that the graphics can be considered mediocre compared to the gameplay, which may detract from the overall experience.

    • “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.”
  • music38 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall aesthetic, creating a fitting backdrop for the gameplay. While some reviewers noted that the soundtrack is not extensive, it is described as solid and effective in setting the tone, particularly for themes of espionage and the Cold War. Overall, the combination of music and art contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience, with many hoping for more similar soundtracks in future titles.

    • “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.”
    • “Gorgeous art and music, stylistically luxurious and with the right balance between realism and escapism.”
    • “Great game, great music, great atmosphere!”
    • “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.”
    • “The atmosphere (map and music, I guess mostly) resembles X-COM and overall story progression leaves similar feelings.”
  • atmosphere30 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 while the gameplay may be lacking, the strong aesthetic and thematic elements create a captivating environment that carries the game. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making it a recommended choice for those who appreciate rich settings and roleplay elements.

    • “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!”
    • “Those people usually do not care about the atmosphere as all they want is action.”
    • “I really like the atmosphere it tries to create and the turn-based game mechanics to support it.”
    • “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.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted as a standout feature, with players finding it both funny and entertaining, particularly in scenarios involving extortion and character interactions. However, some reviewers feel that the lack of character banter and balance issues detract from the overall enjoyment, making the story mode less engaging after the first playthrough. Despite these criticisms, the comedic elements are generally appreciated, especially in the free game mode.

    • “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 chars).”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting occasional freezes and various 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.

    • “It's buggy, it's poorly explained, it's ultimately unenjoyable.”
    • “In rare cases, it freezes for some time while playing.”
    • “I bought this game around 2 days ago, and with its early access, I immediately knew that bugs, glitches, and issues would be found in the game.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, especially in the late game where waiting for research to complete can feel like a chore. However, the balance of actions per turn is generally well-received, allowing for engaging gameplay without overwhelming players.

    • “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 4 agents are doing something and even allowing you to schedule in a few meetings with foreign government leaders.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, with some expressing that it made them cry due to its immersive atmosphere and relatable themes, particularly the spouse mechanic that evokes feelings of tension and responsibility in personal relationships. The experience is likened to living out a dramatic narrative, reminiscent of the film "True Lies," but from a more vulnerable perspective.

    • “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.”
    • “Friend said I should try, but it made me cry; why did I try?”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized for its absence, with minimal RPG elements that fail to provide meaningful growth or progression. Many players feel that the short duration of the games further diminishes any potential for character development.

    • “Unfortunately, there are no RPG elements or character development features, and even if there are, they are minimal. Each game ends too soon to mean anything.”
    • “Unfortunately, there are no RPG elements or character development features, and even if there are, they are minimal. Each game ends too soon to mean anything.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received negative feedback, with users expressing that poor performance significantly detracts from their enjoyment and willingness to continue playing.

    • “But the performance makes me not want to play this much more.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Sigma Theory: Global Cold War

Play time

12hMedian play time
14hAverage play time
6-25hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News