Hidden & Dangerous: Action Pack is a squad-based tactical action and strategy game set during World War II. Players take command of a small team of British Special Air Services operatives on covert operations deep behind enemy lines. The pack combines the original campaign with the Fight for Freedom expansion, which introduces additional missions and campaigns focused on infiltration, sabotage, and extraction objectives.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on guiding a four-man squad through hostile territory while managing resources, positioning, and objectives. An overhead map serves as the primary planning tool, allowing players to assign routes, stances, and targets to individual soldiers before or during missions. Direct control of any team member is available at any time, shifting between first-person shooting and third-person oversight as needed. Squad members can be equipped from a roster of 40 international commandos using period-appropriate weapons, explosives, and surveillance tools. Genuine World War II vehicles appear in certain scenarios and can be commandeered to alter movement or firepower options.
Environments range from dense forests and underground tunnels to urban streets, where enemy snipers and patrols demand careful route selection. The planning system supports synchronized maneuvers, such as splitting the squad to approach an objective from multiple angles or setting ambush points. Failure often stems from poor coordination rather than raw firepower, encouraging repeated attempts with adjusted tactics.
Game Modes
The experience consists entirely of single-player campaign missions. The base game places the team in a downed-paratrooper scenario requiring a border crossing under constant threat. Fight for Freedom expands this with new campaigns that emphasize choices such as destroying key infrastructure or completing extraction goals under time pressure. Each mission presents multiple paths to success, though the emphasis remains on stealthy approach followed by precise execution when contact occurs. No separate multiplayer or skirmish modes exist in the pack.
Squad and Equipment Management
Before each deployment, players select and customize the four-man team from the available roster. Loadouts include rifles, submachine guns, grenades, and specialized gear that influences stealth or combat effectiveness. Character statistics affect performance in areas such as marksmanship and endurance, so balancing the squad for the expected mission type becomes an important preparatory step. Once in the field, equipment can be swapped between members or scavenged as opportunities arise.
Is It Worth Playing?
Steam user reviews rate the Action Pack as Very Positive, with 80 percent approval from 146 reviews. Many players appreciate the tactical depth and historical SAS theme, while noting dated controls and occasional AI inconsistencies that require patience. The game suits those who enjoy methodical squad command and mission replay rather than fast-paced action. Its low price point and compact campaign length make it accessible for anyone interested in early tactical shooters that prioritize planning over reflexes. If the combination of overhead command and direct soldier control appeals, the pack delivers a focused WWII experience without modern distractions.
