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Velvet Assassin
Release Date: April 28, 2009
Reviewed On: PC
Also Available On: Xbox 360
Developer: Replay Studios
Publisher: SouthPeak Games
ESRB Rating: Mature - Blood, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
PEGI Rating: 18+
OFLC Rating: MA 15+
I don’t know where to begin with Velvet Assassin. Delivering this review for Total Gaming Network has been an epic failure of timeliness on my part, mainly due to how painful it was to complete this game.
The basic premise sounded so good: Set in World War II, players take on the role of Violette Summer, (based loosely on the British secret agent, Violette Szabo) an assassin and spy; she is tasked with bringing down the Third Reich by infiltrating enemy lines and eliminating enemy forces. Ultimately, what sounded like such a promising game on paper, fails on execution. If you’re a big fan of stealth-based games and sexy protagonists then there are some redeeming qualities that will make Velvet Assassin worthwhile for you, otherwise save your money.
Story:
In the opening sequence of the game, players are introduced to British Secret Service Agent, Violette Summer, who lies comatose on a bed in hospital as a result of a mission gone wrong. Through a series of flashbacks, reliving Violette’s previous missions behind enemy lines, players will uncover the chain of events which led to her condition today. The missions in Velvet Assassin include espionage and infiltration of the Nazi bases, assassination of high profile Nazi figures and compromised agents as well as destroying a fuel depot.
Violette has to get up close and personal to take down enemies.
Initially in the game her back story makes little sense and is delivered piecemeal. It is only the last mission that the story begins to come together. Because players never fully understand the circumstances behind her predicament until the later stages of the game, it makes it difficult to understand what drives the character and engage in the story behind Velvet Assassin.
Gameplay:
The gameplay of Velvet Assassin was my biggest source of frustration. Similar to Metal Gear Solid or Splinter Cell, Velvet Assassin emphasizes stealth and infiltration, and the game mechanics enforce strict adherence to this type of gameplay, as Violette is easily killed in gun fights which frustratingly results in a mission restart. Players will have to be patient and observant of Nazi actions to carry out the best course of action and eliminate enemies undetected. The game does provide you with tools to help you sneak around the enemy, including a color coded HUD that tracks stealth levels.
Stealth is a must to survive missions and take down enemies undetected.
Despite the best of plans, however, enemies were often able to unerringly locate and dispatch Violette, despite the fact that she was in full cover. Even more frustrating were instances where enemies tracked her down despite being originally located in a completely different area of the map. It almost seemed arbitrary to be able to complete a level undetected which resulted in forced replay of linear levels and frustrating, repetitive gameplay.
Unique to Velvet Assassin are an ample supply morphine syringes that players find scattered throughout the map. Nothing better than a little morphine to help take down the Third Reich, right? These drugs induce a slow motion sequence where players can enact a one hit kill and easily dispatch enemies. They also transform Violette’s clothes into a simple negligee and shower rose petals, and even without the bizarre change in wardrobe the mechanic feels forced and gimmicky.
Graphics:
The graphics of Velvet Assassin are nondescript in their realistic portrayal of war and environments - dirty and grim. In some instances, the game stylistically adopts sepia tones that folks will identify with the period. Character animations leave much to be desired as they move robotically through the environment and even have the annoying habit of breaking through objects in the map. In one egregious offense; a Nazi unexpectedly ran through a solid wall and killed Violette the Nazi who happened to look identical to every other Nazi in the game. Either Hitler had these guys mass produced on an assembly line, or there’s a village in Germany with a small gene pool and the twang of Deliverance ringing in the air.
One of the many Nazi clones you'll take down during the game.
Audio:
The dialogue and audio are the two areas of Velvet Assassin that really shine. Instead of relying on horribly accented dialogue from non-English speaking characters, the Germans speak German and the French speak French. Complete with subtitles, the game’s treatment of dialogue helps to contextualize the experience of being behind enemy lines for players. Additionally, while the ambient music is nice to listen to, it also serves a more practical function and helps players identify their level of cover, building to a crescendo when enemies are alerted to the player’s presence on the map.
Summary:
Velvet Assassin features a story that never quite delivers, maddening AI that detects players when it shouldn’t, and linear, repetitive gameplay which results in a frustrating experience. I’d only recommend this game for those of you who are huge fans of stealth-based games. However, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I think you might be sorely disappointed.
Story: 5/10
Gameplay: 3/10
Graphics: 6/10
Audio: 7/10
Total Gaming Network Rating: 5/10
Gameplay: 3/10
Graphics: 6/10
Audio: 7/10
Total Gaming Network Rating: 5/10
~Bawdyjane