Story[edit]
You take on the role of 006 (also referred to as 006½ in the original print manual), a top agent who works for a secret organisation. Your mission is to save the world from the terrorist organisation DVS, who have stolen the blueprints for the Red Rock Rover, a powerful satellite weapon, and intend to use it for evil.
Parachuting onto each of the islands taken over by the DVS, you must destroy security radars to disrupt their operations and recover the blueprints, eventually dealing with their leader, Dr. No Body. But watch out for their many guards, robots and traps as you make your way to the final fortress!
Getting Started[edit]
Secret Agent is divided into multiple episodes (or "missions"). These each have a separate installation and executable in the DOS version (the Shareware version is the "Hunt for Red Rock Rover" episode), but are combined into one in the HD version, where you can simply pick which episode you want to play when starting a new game.
On starting the game, you will spawn on the episode's Island Map. Move around it and touch any of the building icons (the different designs don't indicate anything) to enter the associated level. Except for the final fortress, levels can be played in any order, unless they are blocked off by other buildings on the map. Once completed, a level becomes non-interactive and cannot be visited again on this playthrough.
You can abort levels at any time from the Esc menu, and can also save your map progress (completed levels) from there. The HD version also adds a quick-restart feature to the in-level menu. Once all the basic levels have been completed, the way to the fortress opens up. Complete it and make your getaway to finish the episode!
Controls[edit]
(Note: The controls can be customised in the game.)
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| ←→ ↑ ↓ |
Move (up and down are only used on the Island Map) |
| Ctrl | Jump / fly upwards with the Jetpack (HD version) |
| Alt | Shoot / use switches (HD version) |
- Unless he hits his head on something, 006 always jumps at the exact same height (roughly 2.5 tiles), with a maximum horizontal distance of about 5 tiles (up to 6 in the HD version). Keep this in mind so you can plan your jumps better.
- 006 can only fire one bullet at a time by default, and can only fire straight forward in the direction he is facing. Firepower upgrades can increase the maximum number of bullets.
- Shots use up one point of ammo each, which can be found throughout the stages (in sets of 5 per pickup). Your ammo carries over between stages, so try not to waste too much of it or you may be in a tough spot later.
- In the HD version, bullets have a slightly more generous hitbox than it may appear, allowing you to hit enemies up to three tiles above your head if you shoot at the peak of your jump. In the DOS version, this is usually not possible.
Difficulties[edit]
Secret Agent HD adds a difficulty selection when starting a new game. These settings affect mainly numbers, and cause no changes to the levels themselves.
The difficulites are:
- Easy:
- Player health is 4.
- Ammo pickups grant 6 bullets.
- Enemies (except Humans) have 1 fewer HP.
- Limited time pickups respawn after a while.
- All points are cut in half.
- Normal (same as DOS version):
- Player health is 3.
- Ammo pickups grant 5 bullets.
- Points are normal.
- Hard:
- Player health is 2.
- Ammo pickups grant 3 bullets.
- 006 wears a tuxedo like he does on the title screen (purely visual).
- All points are multiplied by 1.5.
Although episodes can be beaten on any difficulty, there are two achievements ("Hard Mode" and "Bandolier") that can only be earned on Hard, and two more ("Marathon Man" and "Crawling no More") that require Normal or Hard. Be sure you're playing on the correct difficulty setting when going for these!