Covert Action (2007) Board Game

Covert Action is a party game released in 2007 that puts players in the roles of spies and secret agents. Designed by Chris Appel, Hal Mangold, and John Vetter, the game is published by R&R Games and falls under the categories of bluffing, card game, negotiation, and party game. With a playing time of around 20 minutes, Covert Action is suitable for 4 to 14 players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of Covert Action

Player cards representing different covert teams (red, blue, green)

Action cards

Mission cards

Tokens for tracking progress and allegiance

How To Setup Covert Action

To set up Covert Action, each player receives a set of player cards indicating their team allegiance. The mission cards and action cards are shuffled and distributed accordingly. Players must understand their roles and the objectives of their respective teams without revealing their allegiance to others.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Bluffing: Players must deceive others about their team allegiance.

Card Game: Players use action cards to influence the mission outcomes.

Negotiation: Players negotiate with each other to achieve their team’s objectives.

Objective: The game is won by the team that successfully completes their missions and eliminates the opposing teams.

Player Experience

Covert Action is designed for a large player base, accommodating 4-18 players, making it ideal for group gatherings or parties. The game encourages social interaction, strategic thinking, and deception, which can lead to engaging and sometimes hilarious moments as players try to uncover each other’s true allegiances.

Pros

Large Player Capacity: Supports up to 18 players.

Interactive and Social: Promotes negotiation and bluffing.

Quick Games: Typical gameplay lasts about 20 minutes.

Simple to Learn: Easy rules make it accessible to a wide age range.

Cons

Complexity with Large Groups: Managing a large number of players can be chaotic.

Luck Factor: The distribution of cards can significantly impact the outcome.

Repetitive Missions: Some players may find the mission objectives repetitive.

Personal Thoughts on Covert Action

Covert Action is perfect for those who enjoy social deduction games and are fans of Werewolf-style gameplay. It is an excellent choice for parties or large group gatherings, offering a fun and engaging experience that tests players’ ability to deceive and negotiate. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a deeply strategic or complex game, as the outcomes can be influenced significantly by luck and the bluffing skills of the players.

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