Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Central Intelligence places you in the shoes of a CIA chief tasked with undermining a pro-Chinese dictatorship on the island of São Madrigal. From the moment you begin, you’re thrust into a delicate balancing act: coordinating three distinct branches of agents—Political, Propaganda, and Military—while keeping an eye on the real-time clock. Your mission isn’t just to spark a military uprising; it’s to manipulate and empower local factions—angry students, guerrillas, political parties—through covert means like bribery, blackmail, and disinformation. This layered approach ensures every decision carries weight and consequences.

The main interface presents a top-down satellite image of the island, allowing you to zoom in on buildings and dispatch agents with precision. Scouting a school to foment student protests or infiltrating the governor’s mansion to plant compromising documents feels intuitive and satisfying. Each building you “spy” reveals critical intel—loyalties, resources, and vulnerabilities—that inform your next move. The depth of information and the ability to tailor each operation to a specific locale creates a highly engaging strategic sandbox.

Time pressure is central to the experience. You have a finite window to depose “El Dictador,” and the real-time clock ticks relentlessly. Fortunately, you can adjust the game’s speed to suit your playstyle, slowing down to plan meticulous campaigns or speeding up when you just want to see the fallout of your maneuvers. Difficulty settings allow you to tweak overall population loyalty, ensuring both newcomers and veterans can find the right level of challenge.

Overall, the gameplay loop in Central Intelligence is rich and rewarding. The interplay between political intrigue, propaganda warfare, and targeted military actions creates a dynamic environment where no two campaigns feel the same. While some missions can feel repetitive if you lean too heavily on a single tactic, the variety of tools at your disposal encourages creativity and strategic experimentation.

Graphics

Central Intelligence adopts a clean, functional visual style that emphasizes clarity over flashiness. The satellite map is crisp and easy to navigate, with color-coded loyalty indicators and pop-up icons that quickly convey each faction’s strength and disposition. Zooming in on buildings reveals detailed 2D representations—distinct roof textures, signage, and minor animated touches like waving flags or patrolling guards—which add vitality to the island.

Character portraits and cutscenes lean into a subtle political-thriller aesthetic. Propaganda posters flicker on street walls, televised broadcasts glow from broken-down TVs in safe houses, and agent dossiers feature stylized sketches that underscore their specialties. While not cutting-edge by AAA standards, these touches bolster immersion without overwhelming the strategic focus of the interface.

Animations are purposeful and sparing. When you launch an assassination or bribe a local official, a brief vignette flashes across the screen: a hand exchanging cash, a hooded figure slipping a poison vial. These moments, though brief, heighten the stakes and remind you that each directive carries real human costs. Transitions between operations and the map remain smooth even in more crowded urban areas.

Visually, the game strikes a balance between readability and atmosphere. The muted palette underscores the shadowy nature of espionage, while splashes of faction colors—vibrant reds, greens, and blues—guide your eyes to critical hotspots. If you’re looking for jaw-dropping visual fidelity, you might find Central Intelligence understated, but its graphical approach serves its strategic gameplay exceptionally well.

Story

The narrative of Central Intelligence is steeped in political nuance. São Madrigal’s dictatorship, propped up by Chinese support, presents a believable modern conflict that resonates with real-world geopolitics. You are not a lone hero; you’re a bureaucrat in the CIA, ordering others to take life-and-death risks. This degree of separation fosters moral ambiguity: is democracy worth the collateral damage?

Characterization emerges organically through mission briefings and faction reports rather than lengthy cutscenes. Each opposing group—the radical student cell desperate for a voice, the rural guerrillas fighting for land rights, the fractured opposition parties jockeying for power—has its own goals and grudges. By choosing whom to back, you shape alliances and rivalries, and you witness second- and third-order effects that ripple across the island’s political landscape.

Plot developments unfold dynamically, driven by your successes and failures. If you botch a propaganda campaign, you may find student leaders turning violent or military officers tightening security. A well-executed bribe could spark a mass rally that weakens the regime’s grip. This branching narrative ensures that your personal story remains fresh, even on subsequent playthroughs.

While the main objective—to depose El Dictador—remains clear, the paths to get there vary widely. The game resists binary outcomes of “good” or “evil”; instead, it offers shades of gray, where every strategic choice has ethical implications. This framework elevates the storyline from standard military fare into a thoughtful exploration of power, influence, and the price of freedom.

Overall Experience

Central Intelligence is a strategically ambitious title that blends real-time decision-making with deep political simulation. Its core strength lies in providing diverse tools—propaganda, covert ops, and political manipulation—while forcing you to weigh moral and practical considerations. Each mission feels consequential, and the adjustable real-time clock keeps you invested without making the experience feel rushed or tedious.

Although the graphics and audio design favor function over spectacle, they coalesce into an immersive backdrop for your clandestine campaigns. The user interface, in particular, stands out for its clarity and responsiveness, making complex operations feel manageable even under time constraints. Occasional performance hiccups in the most crowded zones can occur, but they’re rare enough to not detract from the overall flow.

Replayability is high thanks to multiple difficulty levels and the branching nature of faction relationships. You might start a second campaign dedicated to pure propaganda warfare, while another player could favor a policy of targeted assassinations and sabotage. These varied approaches lend the game considerable longevity, as you uncover new strategies and story permutations with each playthrough.

For strategy enthusiasts and fans of political thrillers alike, Central Intelligence offers an engaging, thought-provoking experience. It asks you not only to outsmart a regime but also to reflect on the ethics of intervention. If you’re seeking a game where your brainpower matters as much as your trigger finger, Central Intelligence deserves a place in your collection.

Retro Replay Score

6/10