Secret Agent (video game)
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| Developer(s) | Apogee Software |
| Publisher(s) | Apogee Software |
| Designer(s) | Peder Jungck (programming), George Broussard (game artwork), Jim Norwood (screen artwork) |
| Engine | Crystal Caves engine |
| Platform(s) | MS-DOS PC |
| Release date(s) | 1 February 1992 |
| Genre(s) | Side scrolling platform game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | NA |
| Media | Floppy disk (1) |
| System requirements | 80286 CPU, 450KB RAM, EGA graphic card |
| Input methods | Keyboard, Joystick |
Secret Agent is a shareware series of three side-scrolling platform games, developed and published by Apogee Software, released on 1 February 1992[1].
The first episode is available for free, while the remaining two need to be paid for. All three games have identical gameplay, and differ only in level design, some graphics and the story.
Secret Agent uses the same game engine as the earlier Crystal Caves.
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[edit] Gameplay
The player controls the titular secret agent, known only under his codename "Agent 006½". Each game is divided into 16 levels; there is no fixed order in which to play them, but one of them is the "main fortress" which cannot be accessed until all other 15 levels have been completed.
Each level is a labyrinthine structure, seen from the side, where the player controls Agent 006½'s movements. The objective in each level is twofold; the player needs to locate a radar dish and destroy it by shooting, and find a bundle of dynamite and use it to blow up the doors to an exit elevator. On his way, Agent 006½ is typically hindered by locked doors which require keys to be opened; laser beams which kill instantly, block access to areas of the level, and must be deactivated by finding a floppy disk and bringing it to a computer terminal; enemies both human and robotic, most of which can be killed with Agent 006½'s rifle; and environmental hazards such as spikes or pools of acid. Agent 006½ begins a level with three health points, and if he loses all three, he dies, and the level restarts. Some hazards (such as enemies or gun turrets) detract one health point when they hit Agent 006½, while others (such as landmines) kill him instantly, no matter how much health he has left.
Certain levels require the player to find and make use of a pushable barrel to complete them; Agent 006½ must push the barrel into the right place so that he can use it as a stepping stone to reach higher ground. Some of the levels also contain special goggles, which, when collected, cause a number of platforms to appear, allowing access to previously unreachable areas.
Each level also contains a number of items available for collecting. These include ammunition, sneakers that increase Agent 006½'s speed for a short duration, a power-up which allows faster shooting, and a number of bonus items (such as bags of money, briefcases or walkie-talkies) which provide the player with score. Each level also includes three letters "S", "P" and "Y"; the player is granted a large amount of score if he can pick them up in the right order.
[edit] Cultural references
The names of the episodes are references to spy movies: The Hunt for Red Rock Rover is a pun on the film The Hunt for Red October, and Dr. No Body is a reference to the James Bond film Dr. No. Finally Kill Again Island is a reference to Gilligan's Island.
[edit] References
- ^ "3D Realms Site: Secret Agent". 3D Realms News. 3D Realms. http://www.3drealms.com/agent/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[edit] External links
- Official home page including shareware download
- Secret Agent at MobyGames
- Secret Agent maps
