• 10 Dec, 2025 *

I created another user account in Linux Mint (LM) the other day, this one is dedicated for gaming.

I installed Steam and 4 of the tiny games in my library: Kero Blaster (4.5 MB), Secret Agent (8.5 MB), Job the Leprechaun (11.3 MB), and Muri (3.5 MB).

Yes, I greatly prefer Retro (style) games and tiny games. 🙂‍↕️

I first played Secret Agent (SA) and Crystal Mines (CM) back around 2017, and found them to be refreshing.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT SECRET AGENT

Although simple in graphics, and even more primitive in sound, the game provides a rich gameplay experience.

Through very simple systems it basically layers in different mechanics and goals that combine to create an interesting, albeit simple, game world.

It’s a scrolling screen platform game with walking around, jumping, and shooting.

Then it adds simple resource management by limiting ammo. This means ammo needs to be used thoughtfully.

Also the need to find ammo in the few places around the level encourages exploration.

While walking around, simply jumping at different places or standing for a few seconds, items sometimes appear awarding points when collected. This makes the world feel like there is more to it than can be seen.

There are simple switches to turn off some of the dangers and there are 3 different color keys to collect to unlock doors of the same color. This again adds an element of depth.

Pushable barrels can (and must) sometimes be used to reach certain areas in the game. There are glasses to see invisible platforms.

Again, it’s all very simple stuff... but together it "just works" to create a very good game.

The overworld map where the player can roam around and choose which of the bases (levels) they want to tackle next again this is a great thing, it gives another meaningful choice to the player.

This game reminds me a lot of the game Crystal Mines (CM) that was released the year before, which I also enjoy playing.

Overall, I think Secret Agent is a great game. 😎

#gameplay #linux #retrogaming