Play Special Forces Online

Special Forces is a real-time tactics video game released in 1992 for the MS-DOS platform. Developed by Sleepless Knights and published by MicroProse Software, Inc., it is a sequel to the earlier title Airborne Ranger. The game presents a top-down perspective on military operations, placing the player in command of a small special forces unit.

Players control a team of four soldiers selected from a roster of eight, each with distinct special abilities and equipment loadouts. The primary objectives involve completing a series of sixteen missions across various global locations, including arctic and jungle environments. Mission goals range from deploying targeting systems and conducting assassinations to executing rescue operations, with some requiring the use of night vision gear. Progression is mission-based, and the game emphasizes preparation through briefing documents and strategic equipment selection before deployment, as the mission parameters do not provide explicit warnings for unsuitable gear.

The core gameplay unfolds in real time, requiring continuous movement and engagement rather than turn-based planning. Players can direct their squad as a unit or as individuals, engaging in direct combat against enemy soldiers and destroying structures. Key systems include managing ammunition depletion, navigating using an in-game map, and adapting to enemy reinforcements. Soldiers who survive missions can receive promotions and medals, which improve their statistics and morale for subsequent operations. The accuracy of mission intelligence is influenced by the selected difficulty level, sometimes necessitating broader area exploration to locate objectives.