Sigma Theory offers a compelling mix of strategy, "resource" management, diplomacy and espionage, set in a near-future world where rapid scientific breakthroughs shift the global balance of power at an alarming rate.


As the head of your nation’s intelligence agency, your mission is to recruit and manage a team of elite agents, navigating a web of diplomacy with other world leaders, engage in covert operations, bribery, blackmail and ethical dilemmas, and a bit of a dating sim. I am only half-joking, as your spouse will have you take decisions that will affect the game and the final outcome.

The game’s strengths lie in its strategic elements and narrative wonkiness. Each decision you make, from forging alliances to conducting clandestine missions, carries significant weight, shaping the trajectory of your nation's quest for dominance. The variety of agents, each with unique skills and backgrounds, adds layers of complexity and replayability.

The art style is sleek and modern, complementing the high-stakes atmosphere of international intrigue. The minimalist interface is user-friendly, allowing players to focus on strategy and decision-making. Though it's not always perfect - some visual glitches appear from time to time and after a few playthroughs, you might get bored, or frustrated by reading messages from the same organisations over and over again - that you can't skip - I get it World Bank, you want to maintain the capitalist status quo and you need my help)

While the game can (and will absolutely) be challenging (especially starting off), with unpredictable outcomes, some randomness (that sometimes seems very unfair and can totally derail your playthrough) and moral quandaries, it’s this unpredictability that keeps the gameplay engaging. At some point, once the gameplay mechanics sink in, some playthroughs might feel easy peasy. (I completed one in victory while drunk - a thing that seemed absolutely impossible during your first few runs) But, still, I'd wager you get a good at least 10-20 hours of gameplay before you reach that point.

Some tips, to know what you're getting into:

- Starting off, your first few runs will (most likely) end prematurely. Make sure you engage with all aspects of the gameplay during these: hacking, scientist conversions, exfiltrations, diplomacy, sending your combat drones to conflict zones to improve relations, always keep an eye out on your own research and make sure you sabotage countries that are starting to take a lead.
- If you have a balanced squad of 4 agents (I recommend beginners to start with a very good Hacker, a "Spy Hunter", a Seducer+Negotiator and an Exfiltration Expert), the game is easier, but once you get how things function, you can diversify your "builds (all femme-fatales, all nation-based agents, Double Hacker + Double Seducer/Negotiator for all diplomacy/(no exfiltration) runs, and so on).
- Other countries will absolutely use their technological advantage against you if they discover said technology first (they will steal your scientists, imprison your agents, turn them against you and so much more, all of which feel like a kick in the teeth).
- A couple of the technologies you discover, if not used properly, by you, or your competitors, will nuke the Doomsday Clock, and can lead to a game over out of nowhere.
- Your spouse can feel like a hindrance, but if you cater to their needs they will provide diplomatic bonuses, at one point. (also their status at the end factors in to the ending you get).
- Armed (and influence) groups will contact you and they will make your life a living hell. You either do what they say, or they punish you. Fortunately other countries can help you dismantle these organisations, but your resources are already spread thin, as they are. I suggest you go along with them, until you are offered an out.
- Exfiltrations encounters contain random encounters and while you can do your best to minimise the chances of failure by choosing the correct agent with the correct attributes, with all the drone support you can offer, sometimes either by chance, either by you choosing the wrong route for your agent, things can go sideways. (also, if you're easily frustrated, never go into an exfiltration mission with a "Stubborn" agent).
- If you keep loosing, even after keeping in mind all of the above, a good way to get ahead is to convert the Russian scientist that has the genius trait first (they research very fast) and the German scientist wit the universal trait right after (they can research any field at normal speed). This will give you a big advantage in research.

That being said, some players might find the learning curve steep and the mechanics way too unforgiving. Additionally, the story goes to weird places, even though the setting initially seems pretty realistic and grounded. This can be a hit or miss depending on your taste.


While not impossible to unlock all agents and all achievements, it is by no means a trivial task. It does require quite a bit of time invested and multiple playthroughs.


Having played the GOG version before, I got the Steam version on sale, to support the devs a bit more, and I’ve already sunk 17 hours into it. So, overall, I can say that I really enjoy Sigma Theory. It delivers an intense, thought-provoking experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat (for a while at least) as you navigate the shadowy world of global espionage. However, it's not for everyone; its complexity (which is not explained very well, to be fair), hidden dice-rolls, unforgiving nature, and unique narrative direction may not appeal to all players.


It might appeal to you if you like the premise of being in charge of a team of spies and scientists, competing with your peers for global domination (or at least avoidance of global annihilation) - micromanagement, diplomacy mini-games and dealing with random encounters that don't always seems fair, but are part of the fun of the gameplay and a sci-fi story that gets a bit silly sometimes.

Edit: formatting, clarity and some typos