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Sid Meier's Covert Action

in library

4/5

( 33 Reviews )

4

33 Reviews

English
5.995.99
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Sid Meier's Covert Action
Description
Sid Meier's Covert Action - A Techno-Thriller From the Case Files of Max Remington.  In the 1990's our national nightmares are haunted by wild-eyed political extremists, greedy and ruthless drug lords, and lunatic military dictators. For too long we have felt powerless to stop them.  But now, awar...
User reviews

4/5

( 33 Reviews )

4

33 Reviews

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Product details
1990, MicroProse Software, Inc., ...
System requirements
Windows (10, 11), 1.8 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 9.0c, 2 GB HDD...
Time to beat
3 hMain
5 h Main + Sides
60 h Completionist
13.5 h All Styles
Description

Sid Meier's Covert Action - A Techno-Thriller From the Case Files of Max Remington. 

In the 1990's our national nightmares are haunted by wild-eyed political extremists, greedy and ruthless drug lords, and lunatic military dictators. For too long we have felt powerless to stop them. 
But now, award-winning game designer Sid Meier takes us around the globe with super-spy Max Remington to challenge these threats and neutralize their shadowy schemes of terrorism, smuggling and extortion. A seasoned veteran of modern, hi-tech undercover operations, Remington always obeys the two main rules of Covert Action: 1. Use your intelligence. 2. If Rule one fails, use your other weapons. 

Game Features: 
 

  • Intelligence: Recognize Faces, Break Codes, Unravel plots and sub-plots to determine how sub-plots fit together in the larger scheme, Decide which leads to follow, which to ignore
  • Weapons: Guns, Fragmentation grenades, Stun grenades, Remote-control bombs, Tear gas
  • World travel: 3 Continents, 50 cities
  • Variety: Work for CIA, Mossad(Israeli), MI5 (British), Unlimited number of cases to solve
  • Realism:Crucial decisions international agents face every day, cases based on today's headlines.
Goodies
player aid card manual (English) manual (German) tech supplement and quick reference quide
System requirements
Minimum system requirements:

This game is powered by DOSBox.
Why buy on GOG.COM?
DRM FREE. No activation or online connection required to play.
Safety and satisfaction. Stellar support 24/7 and full refunds up to 30 days.
Time to beat
3 hMain
5 h Main + Sides
60 h Completionist
13.5 h All Styles
Game details
Works on:
Windows (10, 11), Linux (Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04), Mac OS X (10.15+)
Release date:
{{'1990-06-03T00:00:00+03:00' | date: 'longDate' : ' +0300 ' }}
Size:
49 MB

Game features

Languages
English
audio
text
GOG Preservation Program
We make games live forever! Since 2008 we enhance good old games ourselves, to guarantee convenience and compatibility with modern systems. Even if the original developers of the game do not support it anymore.
  1. This game will work on current and future most popular Windows PC configurations. DRM-free.
  2. This is the best version of this game you can buy on any PC platform.
  3. We are the only platform to provide tech support for the games we sell. If some issues with the game appear, our Tech Support will help you solve them.
What improvements we made to this game:
Changelog (30 September 2025):
  • Mapped numkeys to the arrow keys, so you can use either one whenever numkeys are required.
  • Added a new game configurator that lets you adjust key DOSBox settings, including fullscreen, window resolution, fullscreen resolution, graphic mode, and aspect ratio.
  • Stability validated.
  • Fully compatible with Windows 10 and 11.
  • Cloud Saves supported.
Update (22 March 2019)
  • Added Cloud Saves functionality
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User reviews
Overall most helpful review

Posted on: January 16, 2014

mmicale

Verified owner

Games: 991 Reviews: 1

Fun game, could be an interesting remake

Covert Action is a fun game that is played in timed cases that take around 30 minutes to 1 hour each to complete (whether or not you complete the stated objectives). Gameplay is similar to Pirates! with self-directed modes of play. You can perfect one skill that will work in multiple cases (such as cryptography) or diversify your skill set to keep the game fresh and challenging. The game uses simple controls that can be learned quickly. Each case, whether ultimately solved or not, end with a detailed debriefing. Your status after the case ties to your performance in solving it. You can end up in many fun and humorous situations such as being the stud (or fox) of the office or washing your clothes in a laundromat. All case ending images are gender specific since you can play as either Max or Maxine. Sid admits that the game tried to be a bit too much and that a narrower focus could have led to an even better game. Ironically, this game was ahead of its time when released but its enjoyment today will be aided by your ability to accept older sound and graphics. I really enjoyed Covert Action upon its release and still sometimes give it a go today. For me, as with many of Sid's excellent games, the most enjoyable aspect is knowing that your actions constantly are being watched and evaluated and that you'll be presented with an analysis of each case upon completion. I recommend this game if it sounds like your cup of tea.


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Posted on: August 20, 2016

ozzyoscy

Verified owner

Games: Reviews: 22

Even Sid Meier didn't like it

After making this game, Sid Meier coined the 'Covert Action rule', which was essentially that each game should be one game, not a bunch of little conflicting ones. And all the criticisms he has of his own game were just as obvious to me. The main problem is a huge chunk of the time is spent 'infiltrating' a building. Of course that sounds fun, but it's a case of awkwardly moving from room to room interacting with drawers then going back the way you came. If this was just one game, it would be an action game, because so much time is spent shooting guards and taking photos of cabinets. Sid noted that this was an action game with fleeting moments of careful spy shenanigans, and he's right, because the other game is a bit of 'Carmen Sandiego' and you'll be collecting clues and going to locations. Though in this game you have the choice of following or tracking cars or bugging their phones. It's nothing special after you've done those same puzzles a few times though. And once you've played one case you've played them all. It's the same thing every time and gets old fast. I found myself thinking "why am I not playing something like Alpha Protocol instead?" Because in 1990 this was alright, but nowadays you really should be playing something else that does the spying shtick way better.


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Posted on: August 29, 2022

Dre2Dee2

Verified owner

Games: 78 Reviews: 5

The Best Sim Ever Made

This game is old, its classic, and it's got that old DOS charm that just sucks you right with this era of early 90s game. The mechanics are not complicated, but they are ROCK SOLID. The random missions and locations, clues and enemies always make this an exciting romp. You really feel like an agent on a case, desperately hunting that next clue, desperate to make that last arrest before the evil plot of the games villians goes off. Youre always one step behind evil, and when virtual lives are on the line, the pressure is on. There hasn't been one time I played where I wasnt fully engaged and sucked into the story. Once the case is over, you get a breakdown of what happened between you and the villians, and it's always really satisfying. Break down doors, hack computers, and arrest the terrorists! What more do you want?


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Posted on: January 16, 2014

Deadly-Dosage

Verified owner

Games: 1274 Reviews: 1

A Spy Thriller!

One of the greatest game I played as a child. Controls are a bit wonky, but it's worth trying it out. You create your character simply from Male or Female, then from 4 skill sets; Combat, Crypto, Driving, and Electronics which all have a rating to them. Then you in a free roam world to a degree, you hang out at the office, review the case files, place a wire tap, break into a suspect's building (stealth or loud), tail a suspects car to a new location, travel to exotic locations. It's a great game that shouldn't be missed! Matter of fact I still own the original and couldn't figure out out how to get 3.5 floppies to run. Here it is ready to go! Thanks!


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Posted on: October 25, 2015

LibertyToad

Verified owner

Games: 39 Reviews: 3

A unique classic

This is a very unique, classic game that is different each time you play. I used to play this for hours and hours years ago. You're a spy trying to solve a case. You can break into buildings, follow cars, decrypt encrypted messages and other things in an attempt to prevent the bad guys from committing a crime. This game was truly ahead of it's time and is simply brilliant. For a few bucks you really can't go wrong.


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