You, as Max, have only two rules: (1) use your brains, and (2) if Rule 1 fails, use your weapons. You'll be called upon to break codes, unravel plots and sub-plots, recognize the faces of the enemy, pull together clues, hints and puzzles to foil schemes and plans, track bad guys, engage in wiretapping, espionage and counter-espionage, determine which leads to follow and more. A total of 26 criminal masterminds will lead the merry chase in Sid Meier's Covert Action.

At your disposal will be guns, grenades (several types), bombs (several types), tear gas and whatever else you can bring into the fray. You'll travel three continents and visit more than 50 cities. For diversity, you can choose to work as a CIA agent, base your operations as a Mossad (Israeli) member or be an MI5 (British) operative. Random generator creates unlimited cases to solve and prevents the game from becoming obsolete due to linear play.