Sid Meier’s Covert Action

Sid Meier's Covert Action casts the player as a top CIA agent tasked with preventing terrorist plots. The core loop involves piecing together clues from global intelligence to identify a scheme and its architect before it is executed.

Investigative methods include surveillance, planting wiretaps which involve puzzle solving, and discreetly searching locations for evidence. If detected, the agent may face vehicle pursuits or armed confrontations. The game integrates several distinct gameplay styles, functioning as an agent simulator with puzzle elements and action sequences.

Progress is challenging, as operations grow more complex and time-sensitive. Decoding messages becomes harder and adversaries more formidable as the player closes in on the mastermind. The objective is to gather sufficient proof to authorize arrests, which can involve direct apprehension or confrontations.