Secret Agent (video game)
| Secret Agent | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 |
| Release date(s) | 1 February 1992 |
| Genre(s) | Side scrolling platform game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Secret Agent is a game 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.
Episode List:
- Episode 1 - The Hunt for Red Rock Rover
- Episode 2 - Kill Again Island
- Episode 3 - Dr. No Body
Secret Agent uses the same game engine as the earlier Crystal Caves.
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, where the player controls Agent 006½'s movements. The objectives in each level are to locate and destroy a radar dish, then find a bundle of dynamite and use it to blow up the doors to an exit door. 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 and water. Agent 006½ begins a level with three health points, and if he loses all three, he dies, and the level restarts. Enemies and certain hazards detract one health point when they hit Agent 006½, while others (such as landmines) kill him instantly.
The player may need to make use of pushable barrels to reach higher areas. Some of the levels also contain special goggles, which, when collected, cause a number of platforms to become visible, 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 items for points to boost the player's score. Each level also includes three letters "S", "P" and "Y". the player is awarded more points if he can pick them up in the right order. There are also items that causes disadvantages like a ½ item that slows down Agent 006½'s speed for a short duration and a question mark that makes Agent 006½ go in the opposing direction of the left and right keys for a short duration
Cultural references
The names of the episodes are references to popular movies and television shows: The Hunt for Red Rock Rover is a pun on the film The Hunt for Red October, Kill Again Island is a reference to Gilligan's Island and Dr. No Body is a reference to the James Bond film Dr. No.
References
- ↑ "3D Realms Site: Secret Agent". 3D Realms News. 3D Realms. Retrieved 2009-06-05.