Intravenous

About

Intravenous is a single player tactical shooter game. It was developed by Explosive Squat Games and was released on July 26, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Teeth-clenching stealth, followed by hardcore gunplay for those not looking for a quiet way in. Intravenous will keep you at the edge of your seat regardless of how you play!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+10

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,456 reviews

gameplay279 positive mentions

grinding26 negative mentions

Intravenous combines the stealth mechanics of classic games like Splinter Cell with the fast-paced action of Hotline Miami, creating a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
The AI is responsive and intelligent, reacting to player actions such as noise and light changes, which adds depth to the stealth mechanics.
The game offers multiple playstyles, allowing players to approach missions stealthily or with guns blazing, providing high replayability.

The story is generic and predictable, often feeling like a cliché revenge narrative without much depth.
Some players find the level design repetitive, with many areas feeling similar and lacking variety.
The controls can be clunky at times, particularly when interacting with objects, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.

gameplay
737 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
58%
4%
The gameplay of *Intravenous* is widely praised for its intricate stealth mechanics and engaging combat, drawing comparisons to titles like *Hotline Miami* and *Metal Gear Solid*. Players appreciate the depth of tactical options available, including sound and light dynamics, which enhance the stealth experience, although some find the level design repetitive and the controls occasionally clunky. Overall, the game offers a challenging and rewarding experience, particularly for fans of stealth gameplay, despite some criticisms regarding its story and certain mechanics.
- “The gameplay is a perfect blend of stealth and combat that makes it incredibly challenging and addicting.”
- “With rock solid controls, tight-knit level design, impressive enemy AI, and a handful of classic mechanics that intertwine with each other like a perfect storm, this game is great for any fan of the stealth genre.”
- “The stealth mechanics were very satisfying with how both light and sound levels needed to be considered.”
- “More tactical version of Hotline Miami, story is cringe and gameplay is kinda boring, sorry.”
- “It's short and straightforward, even on the highest difficulty, but it feels cumbersome in its mechanics.”
- “The story and characters are bland and generic and, though the game is very clearly geared towards stealth gameplay, the majority of the equipment you can bring on a mission is loud-only, making things quickly turn stale and repetitive for those who want to enjoy the stealthy side of the game.”
story
712 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
74%
9%
The story of "Intravenous" is largely viewed as a straightforward and predictable revenge narrative, reminiscent of 80s and 90s action films, which some players find entertaining while others criticize it for being shallow and cliché. Many reviews highlight that the plot serves primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay, allowing players to engage in various mission approaches without significant narrative consequences. Overall, while the story may not be groundbreaking, it is considered serviceable enough to support the game's mechanics and replayability.
- “The story is very entertaining and keeps the player interested throughout the game.”
- “The story is a simple revenge thriller but sometimes simple is best.”
- “The story, in my opinion, is generic, but that's what makes the game good: rather than give you the good ol' 'oh they were wronged people that you killed, whoopsie you're the baddie now lolmao' it says 'kill them or whatever, here's your gun, now do whatever you want'; it gives you a generic story so you can focus more on the gameplay loop, which I think helps the game a lot more.”
- “The storyline is rather shallow and leaves you a bit empty at the end.”
- “The plot is something you'd see in an extremely generic 80's action movie; it's nothing special, I don't know why it's so controversial.”
- “The story is surface-level action writing that's purely there to justify the gameplay.”
music
228 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its dynamic and engaging soundtrack, which enhances both stealth and combat scenarios. While some players noted a slight monotony in certain tracks, the overall sound design, including ambient effects and NPC chatter, contributes to a tense and immersive atmosphere. Many reviewers highlighted the soundtrack's ability to adapt to gameplay situations, making it a standout feature that complements the game's aesthetic and mechanics.
- “The soundtrack is incredible.”
- “The music does a great job of creating a foreboding and tense atmosphere.”
- “But the icing on the cake has got to be the soundtrack: it's moody, dynamic, and flows well with what's going on.”
- “The soundtrack enhances the action, but the game's stealthier focus doesn't fully capitalize on its energy.”
- “You know, for a game meant to be mainly stealth-oriented... the music made me want to commando the entire game.”
- “That pretty much is the same for the sound and music, which isn't a bad thing, but does give a very bleak atmosphere to the overall experience.”
graphics
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
57%
3%
The graphics of the game are praised for their blend of retro pixel art and modern lighting, creating a gritty and immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. Many reviewers highlight the detailed pixel art style, which is complemented by a strong soundtrack and effective use of lighting, although some note that visibility can be an issue in darker areas. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's aesthetic appeal and engaging gameplay.
- “Graphics is a very nice mix of retro pixel art and modern lighting.”
- “The detailed pixel-art style is made all the more vibrant.”
- “The pixelated art style is gorgeous and adds that little something that makes the game very pleasing to look at, the soundtrack is on point and the plot is pretty basic but with some good twists.”
- “Very annoying controls and misleading visuals.”
- “Just same same empty buildings and rooms over and over, sometimes with enemies right in the open who I totally fail to spot due to the artwork in this game.”
- “Graphics is very pretty but sometimes it is difficult to see what's going on in dark places because hostiles do not contrast with the background very much.”
replayability
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
48%
4%
The game is praised for its high replayability, offering various modifiers, difficulty levels, and multiple approaches to completing levels, which keeps gameplay fresh and engaging. Players appreciate the ability to customize their experience and the potential for modding, although some express concerns about repetitive elements and missing unlocks affecting long-term replay value. Overall, it is considered a fun and addictive experience with significant replay potential, especially for those who enjoy experimenting with different strategies and playstyles.
- “Overall, refreshing and high-replayability gameplay, enjoyable difficulties, great music, fun achievements, badass gunplay.”
- “You can complete any mission with basically any approach, adding to the replay value.”
- “Intravenous is a fun and addicting game, which has infinite replayability value because of the ways you can do every level.”
- “Some of this is pretty forgivable, since things like the story can take a backseat in favor of more involved gameplay, but the repetitive nature of the game really hurts its replayability, which really stings in a shorter game like intravenous.”
- “• no replay value once you did everything a few times.”
- “All my unlocked weapons are missing after closing the game; please help me unlock them back, otherwise it's not replayable for me.”
grinding
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with players noting frustrating controls, lack of variety in enemies and objectives, and unresponsive mechanics. Many reviewers found the gameplay to be overly reliant on grinding for achievements and equipment, leading to a lack of enjoyment and engagement. While some appreciated the challenge, the overall sentiment leans towards the experience being more boring than rewarding.
- “Seriously, you pick the wrong option (killing a drug dealer) and you're no longer allowed to use any of the weapons or equipment you spent hours grinding for.”
- “Really wanted to like this game, but eh, it becomes a bit too tedious and repetitive very soon.”
- “The game is also a bit tedious, not a lot of variety in enemies or objectives.”
atmosphere
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
41%
13%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its dark, gritty aesthetic and immersive sound design, which includes a dynamic soundtrack that enhances the tension during stealth and combat scenarios. Reviewers highlight the impressive art style and attention to detail, creating a foreboding and addictive environment that complements the gameplay. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a captivating stealth-action experience in a modern metropolitan setting.
- “The music does a great job of creating a foreboding and tense atmosphere.”
- “From the dark atmosphere and immaculate art style to pair with it, to the wonderful stealth/combat gameplay, this game can be truly addictive.”
- “With how much there is to cover for an indie of this impressive scale as far as what the development studio, Explosive Squat Games, set out to accomplish in respects to the stealth-action genre, first I have to give a huge kudos to them for creating a game that captures such a tense yet alluring atmosphere.”
- “That pretty much is the same for the sound and music, which isn't a bad thing, but does give a very bleak atmosphere to the overall experience.”
- “With how much there is to cover for an indie of this impressive scale as far as what the development studio, Explosive Squat Games, set out to accomplish in respects to the stealth-action genre, I have to give a huge kudos to them for creating a game that captures such a tense yet alluring atmosphere.”
- “Dripping with style and atmosphere.”
humor
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Intravenous" is a mixed bag, featuring moments of genuine hilarity and clever gameplay interactions, such as luring enemies with environmental tricks. However, much of the humor relies on clichés and predictable story elements, with some lines being described as appealing only to a niche audience. Overall, while the game has its funny moments, it often falls back on vulgarity and familiar tropes.
- “It is always absolutely hilarious and very immersive; moments like this are probably among my favorite things in this game.”
- “The story was good enough to keep me captivated and the dialogue is actually pretty funny, and edgy in a good way.”
- “Toying with them with cat and mouse strategies of getting them spooked to draw them out and away from their normal spots is fun, as is dragging dead bodies to a place where you know an enemy will see and examine it, as well as other funny things such as purposely leaving doors open and turning lights off to lure an enemy in.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional response to the game, experiencing feelings of anger and nostalgia reminiscent of past gaming experiences, particularly with titles like Hotline Miami. The music is highlighted as a significant factor that enhances the emotional engagement, making players feel invigorated and alive. Additionally, the ability to complete levels without direct interaction adds a unique layer to the emotional experience.
- “This game made me feel anger I last felt Sunday when I had to custody swap at Wendy's.”
- “A game that made me feel like I was playing Hotline Miami again!”
- “Music made me feel alive.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
43%
Overall, the game is praised for its stability, with most users reporting minimal glitches and smooth performance even on lower-end hardware. While some minor issues with collision detection and occasional bugs are noted, they do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
- “Even with a computer like mine that has software limitations (it runs on an Intel Core i3), it runs great.”
- “I already finished with the intravenous: mercenarism, awesome game, no glitches.”
- “Although the levels look very similar and collision detection can be buggy, the game offers lots of replayability, and the gunplay is solid.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The game's optimization is generally praised, with reports of smooth performance even on maximum settings. However, some users note issues with night vision being overly dependent on room lighting and a lack of indicators for enemy armor levels, which can affect gameplay clarity.
- “Optimization and art style.”
- “Optimized and runs really well even on max settings.”
- “Night vision performance is tied to light in rooms, or you see nothing, and enemies do not have indicators for what armor level they wear.”
- “Optimization is lacking, and the art style does not compensate for it.”
- “The game is not optimized well, leading to performance issues even on lower settings.”