Players must come up with strategies for critical problems causing worldwide chaos. Those responsible for the trouble are a shadowy group of conspirators. The heroes face an energy crisis, labor strikes and terrorist attacks.
The heroes are called Task Force TALON, a direct action group that battles the conspirators. Game players can command military units, go on spy missions, capture enemy soldiers and conduct urban warfare.
Direct Action features cinema-quality graphics. The cities of London, Washington, DC, and San Francisco are the simulated locations of the game, which up to eight players can play over an Internet connection.