In Sid Meiers Covert Action (Classic), the protagonists are secret agents of the SBU. It is possible to choose to control a male character (Maximilian) or a female one (Maxine). The main characters investigate international crimes of terrorist organizations. To do this, they use spy gadgets (wiretapping bugs), quietly enter houses, interrogate suspects, and arrest terrorists. All actions take place in 1990. In addition to the United States, CIA agents will carry out missions in European countries and the Middle East. What will Maximilian and Maxine do:
- Travel - there are 3 regions in total, each of which has 19 cities (Washington, London, Moscow, Madrid, Los Angeles, Riyadh and others);
- Drive a car - during each business trip, a company car will be provided free of charge, most often it will be used for chases;
- Destroy criminal organizations - to complete the game, you need to eliminate 26 groups, including the Colombian drug cartel and the PLO;
- Use the services of allies - if you can't defeat the enemy alone, the KGB of the Soviet Union and MI-6 of Great Britain will help.
The protagonist has 10 days to investigate the case in Secret Operation. All operations are carried out by enemies in groups of 5 to 10 people. First, the protagonist receives a message from an ally that this or that organization is planning a crime. Maximilian or Maxine go to another country and begin work by interviewing witnesses, surveillance of suspects, installing listening devices in buildings and cars. Skills will be required to decipher secret correspondence between terrorists or bandits.