Intravenous

Starting at $1.57Buy now

"Intravenous is a single-player shooter game, inspired by early Splinter Cell titles, that offers a good plot and impressive game mechanics. Players step into the shoes of Steve Robbins, seeking revenge for his brother's death at the hands of junkies, by infiltrating the criminal world stealthily or engaging in all-out gunfights. With splendid visuals, marvelous music, and high replayability, the game provides a satisfying experience, despite its grind."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,255 reviews

gameplay143 positive mentions

grinding14 negative mentions

Intravenous combines the tactical stealth of classic games like Splinter Cell with the fast-paced action of Hotline Miami, offering a unique gameplay experience.
The AI is responsive and intelligent, reacting to player actions such as noise and light changes, which enhances the immersion and challenge.
The game features a variety of weapons and gadgets, allowing players to approach missions in multiple ways, whether stealthily or aggressively.

The story is clichéd and lacks depth, often feeling like a juvenile revenge fantasy that doesn't add much to the overall experience.
Some players find the controls clunky and the interaction with objects, especially doors, can be frustrating and lead to unintended deaths.
The level design can feel repetitive, with many areas looking similar and lacking distinctiveness, which may detract from replayability.

gameplay
379 mentions
38 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Intravenous" is highly praised for its intricate stealth mechanics and tactical depth, drawing comparisons to classic titles like "Splinter Cell" and "Hotline Miami." Players appreciate the emphasis on light and sound dynamics, which enhance the stealth experience, while the game also allows for varied approaches, from pure stealth to aggressive combat. Despite some criticisms regarding clunky controls and repetitive level design, the overall consensus is that the gameplay is engaging, challenging, and rewarding, making it a standout in the stealth genre.
- “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.”
- “Intravenous is a fun set of stealth mechanics and loadout construction coming together to make a borderline stealth simulator and is complemented by a host of gameplay customization options.”
- “The gameplay is simple but solid; the only downside I can think of is that the developer frequently posts small updates every 2 or 3 days.”
- “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.”
- “The fact that there's no in-between from zero alert to full-on every enemy in the entire map looking for you means you either ghost 100% or bash your head against the full run-and-gun gameplay that this game really isn't built for.”
story
364 mentions
17 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story of "Intravenous" is primarily a straightforward revenge narrative, centering on the protagonist Steve's quest to avenge his brother's death at the hands of drug addicts. While some players find the plot engaging and reminiscent of classic 80s action films, many criticize it for being predictable, cliché, and lacking depth, often serving merely as a backdrop for the game's mechanics. Overall, the narrative is seen as serviceable but not the main draw, with gameplay and atmosphere taking precedence.
- “The story is a simple revenge thriller but sometimes simple is best.”
- “The story is pretty interesting and reminds me of some classic 80s and 90s revenge action films.”
- “The story is there, it carries you mission to mission; I personally enjoyed it but it might be a little too bare bones for some, but in my opinion, the gameplay more than makes up for it.”
- “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.”
- “The story is just there to justify all the stuff that happens.”
music
119 mentions
54 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its dynamic and immersive quality, perfectly complementing the gameplay's stealth and action elements. Composed by xtrullor, the soundtrack shifts from ambient tones during stealth to intense beats during combat, enhancing the overall atmosphere and player experience. While some players noted moments of monotony, the majority praised the soundtrack as a standout feature that elevates the game's appeal.
- “The sound design is great and massive props to the composer because all the music in the game is fantastic and fits perfectly whether you're at home relaxing before going back out there, going through a base stealthily or having to fight for your life as you get hunted down, it really enhanced the experience.”
- “The soundtrack is incredible.”
- “The music ramps up whenever things go south and you were in a combat situation, and I would find myself sitting for a few seconds in the game over screen just listening to the tunes.”
- “I also feel like enemy footsteps can be too hard to hear when they are sprinting in combat, in part because of the soundtrack, which can make it pretty easy to get caught off guard.”
- “The soundtrack enhances the action, but the game's stealthier focus doesn't fully capitalize on its energy.”
- “The music would ramp up whenever things went south and you were in a combat situation and I would find myself sitting for a few seconds in the game over screen just listening to the tunes.”
graphics
64 mentions
39 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant pixel art style, which combines retro aesthetics with modern lighting techniques, creating a gritty and immersive atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the attention to detail in the visuals, which enhance gameplay mechanics like stealth and visibility, while the overall art direction is likened to a blend of titles like "Hotline Miami" and "Metal Gear Solid." Despite some minor visibility issues in darker areas, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's engaging experience.
- “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.”
- “This game does with pixelated, top-down graphics and a one-man development team what countless triple-A developers just can't - creates a modern-day, fully immersive, utterly addictive stealth experience that immaculately balances realistic stealth with tense, frantic combat.”
- “The game has a ton of style; I really like the graphical choices and the fact the game runs in 60fps without any issues.”
- “Graphics: don't think you can get much more pixelated than that!”
- “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
37 mentions
49 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse level design, multiple gameplay approaches, and the inclusion of modifiers that allow for varied playthroughs. Players appreciate the solid gunplay and the ability to tackle levels in different ways, although some note that repetitive elements can diminish replay value over time. Overall, the combination of unlockable content, difficulty settings, and community support contributes to a refreshing and engaging experience that encourages repeated play.
- “Excellent stealth game, I enjoyed it so much I went for every achievement and had a lot of fun doing it, very replayable.”
- “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.”
- “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
14 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overwhelmingly tedious and repetitive, with many citing long, unengaging missions and frustrating mechanics that detract from the experience. The lack of variety in enemies and objectives, combined with clunky controls and poor AI, contributes to a sense of monotony that makes the game feel more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge. While some appreciate the difficulty, it often becomes a source of frustration rather than a rewarding experience.
- “The achievements were tedious, requiring four clears of the game minimum.”
- “Really wanted to like this game, but 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
13 mentions
46 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its dark and gritty pixel art, enhanced by detailed lighting and a dynamic soundtrack that creates a tense and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the effective use of sound and music to complement stealth gameplay, contributing to a foreboding ambiance that captivates players. Overall, the combination of aesthetic design, engaging NPC interactions, and atmospheric elements makes it a standout in the stealth-action genre.
- “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 respect to the stealth-action genre, I have to give huge kudos to them for creating a game that captures such a tense yet alluring atmosphere.”
- “The music does a great job of creating a foreboding and tense atmosphere.”
- “The game is very atmospheric and the art style fits the mood perfectly.”
- “The sound, atmosphere, story, gameplay mechanics, shooting, etc. is all top-notch stuff.”
- “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.”
- “Dripping with style and atmosphere.”
humor
10 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it amusing and edgy, while others feel it relies heavily on clichés and predictability. While certain moments, such as clever gameplay mechanics and funny dialogue during combat, provide genuine laughs, the overall comedic value may not resonate with everyone. Players appreciate the immersive and humorous interactions with the game's AI, which can lead to entertaining scenarios.
- “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.”
- “A lot of achievements that are actually funny to get, at least most of them.”
stability
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report occasional glitches and buggy collision detection, many find it runs well even on lower-end hardware, contributing to a solid gameplay experience.
- “I already finished with the game: mercenarism, awesome game with no glitches.”
- “Even with a computer like mine that has software limitations (it runs on an Intel Core i3), it runs great.”
- “Although the levels look very similar and collision detection can be buggy, the game offers lots of replayability, and the gunplay is solid.”
- “Has some glitches here and there but otherwise a fantastic game.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional response to the game, with feelings ranging from anger to nostalgia, reminiscent of past experiences and games like Hotline Miami. The music enhances the emotional experience, contributing to a sense of vitality and engagement throughout gameplay.
- “This game made me feel anger I last felt on Sunday when I had to do a custody swap at Wendy's.”
- “A game that made me feel like I was playing Hotline Miami again!”
- “The music made me feel alive.”
optimization
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is generally praised, running smoothly even on maximum settings. However, some users note issues with night vision performance being heavily dependent on lighting conditions, and a lack of indicators for enemy armor levels.
- “Optimization and art style work hand in hand to create a visually stunning experience.”
- “The game is 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 suffers as a result.”
- “The game is not optimized well, leading to performance issues even on lower settings.”