Intravenous 2: Mercenarism

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In "Intravenous 2: Mercenarism," play as the mercenary Gideon, focused solely on wealth, as he completes jobs before the events of "Intravenous 2." Choose between stealth or firepower, and customize skills to fit your playstyle. With a vast arsenal and weapon modification options, experience bullet time and adaptive gameplay in this intense prequel.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,694 reviews

gameplay100 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

The game offers a lot of replayability and strategic options despite only having 2 campaign levels.
Improved AI behavior makes the gameplay more engaging, as enemies react intelligently to player actions.
The weapon customization system adds depth and personalization to the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.

Some players find the game overly difficult, even on lower difficulty settings, which can be frustrating.
Level navigation can be unclear at times, leading to confusion about where to go or what to do next.
The game has been criticized for its controls, particularly the interaction mechanics, which can feel clunky and unintuitive.

gameplay
236 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
57%
1%
The gameplay of the sequel to Intravenous has been praised for its significant improvements over its predecessor, featuring new mechanics such as bullet time, weapon customization, and enhanced AI behavior that add depth and strategy to both combat and stealth elements. Players appreciate the blend of fast-paced action and tactical stealth, reminiscent of titles like Metal Gear Solid and Hotline Miami, while also noting the replayability offered by various mission approaches and customizable options. However, some critiques highlight frustrations with certain mechanics and controls, suggesting that while the gameplay is engaging, it can also be challenging and occasionally cumbersome.
- “The addition of bullet time mechanics adds an extra layer of strategy to the fast-paced combat.”
- “There is a wealth of great stealth-action gameplay packed in these levels, and a new game+ that allows you to experiment with the nice variety of customizable weapons and gadgets at your disposal.”
- “The gameplay is refined to perfection and the game itself is polished to a tee.”
- “I really really really really really want to like this game, but the mechanics are so frustratingly fiddly that there is no way in hell I'm ever going to even finish the demo.”
- “A top-down shooter take on Hitman, but you do everything 10x slower. Action menus are made to slow you down drastically, and your basic HUD is incredibly trash... not to mention sometimes obstacles, lighting, and other mechanics make no sense.”
- “Gameplay is repetitive with multiple ways of completing a mission.”
story
158 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
78%
4%
The game's story is described as compelling and engaging, particularly in its prologue, which serves as a teaser for the full experience. Players appreciate the depth of the narrative, though some criticize the pacing and character development, noting that supporting characters lack depth and the plot can feel rushed. Overall, while the story has its flaws, it effectively sets the stage for future installments and offers a satisfying backdrop to the gameplay.
- “Apart from this, its story is quite compelling, and this is just a free sneak peek of what the other games have to offer.”
- “Much more compelling story compared to the original and amazing mechanics.”
- “It's a great teaser for the second game and has a lot to offer despite only being 2 missions, if you were a fan of the first game and simply can't wait, this is a great way to get that 'itch' filled.”
- “My only complaint is that the story, told through dialogue cutscenes, is bad.”
- “Story is meaningless (no seriously I have no idea who or why I should care about the main character).”
- “The ensemble cast style's plot always has two weaknesses: one is that many supporting characters are not attractive enough, and one is the progress of the plot is too fast and lacks basic foreshadowing, making it much harder to arouse the empathy of players.”
graphics
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
52%
4%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the pixel art style for its clarity and distinctiveness, while others find it reminiscent of older games. The visuals are often described as beautiful and atmospheric, enhancing the overall immersive experience, though some players express a desire for improved optimization and modern aesthetics. Overall, the art style is appreciated for its retro yet modern feel, contributing positively to gameplay and sound design.
- “Visually, the pixel art style looks fantastic, with good visual clarity.”
- “Amazing stylish graphics and great work with sound effects.”
- “On one hand, the stealth is amazing, the graphics are gorgeous, the enemies are realistic and funny, and when I completed it I was already thirsting for more.”
- “I hate to admit, when looking at a new game and I see pixel graphics and this top-down shooter style, I've seen it before, and I usually skip it.”
- “I would have preferred the graphics to be better; I'm not a fan of the old style graphics.”
- “Looks old in terms of graphics, but the physics in the game are outstanding!”
music
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
42%
8%
The music in the game has received high praise for its dynamic and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience with adrenaline-pumping tracks that match the game's mood and situations. Reviewers noted the soundtrack's ability to transition effectively between different emotional tones, from cheerful to intense, and highlighted the impressive work of composer Xtrullor. However, some users mentioned issues with the music volume slider, which can lead to drastic changes in audio levels.
- “The music is spot on and amazing for the vibes of the game, entirely fitting the situation, with a very mood-setting transition from 'you've alerted the guards' to 'they lost you'!”
- “With the main plot's full Korean voice, the excellent music, distinct art style, and outstanding 2D battle performance greatly enhance the player's immersive experience.”
- “A really nice dynamic soundtrack and a game with depth.”
- “The music volume slider shifts drastically while still showing the same percentage; at 100% it's deafening, but you can shift it to the low end of 100% (as in barely moving the slider a pixel) and have a completely different audio level.”
- “The music is much darker and more emotional and is a step up from the previous game.”
- “Music: decent”
replayability
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
65%
12%
Despite having only two campaign levels, the game offers significant replayability through multiple strategic approaches, challenges, and achievements to unlock. Players appreciate the freedom of gameplay and the variety of weapons and customization options, which enhance the experience and encourage repeated playthroughs. Overall, the replayability is considered high, making it a standout feature even in a limited content setting.
- “While the prologue only offers two levels, they are highly replayable due to the multiple approaches possible and the various challenges and achievements to unlock.”
- “Despite its size and length, Mercenarism presents a surprisingly nice amount of replayability, not only because of the open nature of playground level design, plenty of difficulty options and modifiers, and freedom of approach but also in the satisfying (and expanded) selection of weapons and gadgets to play around with, paired with a slice of permanent progression mechanics in the form of collectible unique weapons and blueprints unlocking additional weapon customization options, that can heavily transform the nature of firearms and thus their viability and possible strategic opportunities they present.”
- “This demo is only 2 levels and lasts maybe an hour total but it's replayable enough to where I've done it close to a dozen times now, gives me a MGS Ground Zeroes vibe.”
- “This demo is only 2 levels and lasts maybe an hour total, but it's replayable enough to where I've done it close to a dozen times now; it gives me a MGS Ground Zeroes vibe.”
- “For a free game, its replayability is bamboozling; there are many ways to do the mission. Personally, I just genocide everyone.”
- “This replayability somewhat makes up for the limited content.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is characterized by its absurd and darkly comedic elements, with players finding amusement in the chaotic interactions of enemies, such as friendly fire incidents and the absurdity of war mechanics. Features like using a microphone to lure enemies add a layer of immersion and hilarity, while minor bugs contribute to the overall comedic experience. Overall, the blend of humor with engaging gameplay keeps players entertained and eager for more.
- “The plot style of this game is not only absurd and funny but also dark and cruel.”
- “Regular goons seem to get spooked by sounds in the darkness while alert, shooting blindly towards noises they hear (which can cause some hilarious friendly fire).”
- “My favorite part is being able to use my own microphone to lure in enemies to my position; it definitely adds some humor and immersion to the game.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, often feeling like action heroes akin to iconic characters like John Wick. The nostalgic elements, such as familiar gameplay mechanics and a darker, more emotional soundtrack, contribute to a heartfelt experience that resonates deeply with fans of the genre. Overall, the game is seen as a love letter to previous titles, enhancing its emotional impact.
- “It's heartwarming to see the noise and light bars again, to toss an empty magazine, to get your very first 'kill or subdue' prompt and consider a non-lethal playthrough, promptly before remembering the hard way that's something you do on subsequent playthroughs when you know what you're doing.”
- “This felt like a heartfelt love letter to some of my favorite games, and so I'm probably biased.”
- “- The music is much darker and more emotional and is a step up from the previous game.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
38%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a gritty and immersive style that complements its mercenary theme, creating a dark and engaging environment. Players appreciate the slow-burn storytelling and the blend of tactical gameplay with RPG and roguelike elements, enhancing the overall experience. The atmosphere is consistently described as cinematic and realistic, drawing inspiration from various genres while maintaining a cohesive tone.
- “Visually, the game maintains a gritty, atmospheric style that fits well with its mercenary theme.”
- “Slow burn, atmospheric, story rich, immersive sim, engaging, tactical, customizable, realistic, ludonarratively consistent, cinematographic, ready or not type gameplay, escape of Tarkov inspired, Hotline Miami-like top down shooter, dark souls of metal gears, with RPG and roguelike elements, kino.”
- “- atmosphere is much darker.”
- “The atmosphere is much darker.”
- “The atmosphere is much darker.”
- “The atmosphere is much darker.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The grinding aspect of the game is noted to be quite intense and repetitive, requiring significant daily playtime, which may deter casual players. While some find the grind necessary for achievements like 'gun schizo' to be manageable and enjoyable, it is primarily recommended for dedicated fans of the series who appreciate its narrative and world-building. Overall, players should be prepared for a substantial commitment to grinding if they choose to engage with this title.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “If possible, play the former work, Library of Ruina, to see if you can endure this kind of gameplay. Due to the relatively high daily playtime required in this genre, I would only recommend this game to series fans who appreciate the game's worldview and plot style. Compared to in-game purchases, the highly repetitive and high-intensity daily farming is more acceptable.”
- “Bit of grinding required for the 'gun schizo' achievement, but still a fun experience.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is viewed as less favorable, with players suggesting that the high daily playtime and repetitive farming may deter newcomers. While in-game purchases are present, they are considered more acceptable compared to the grind required, making the game more suitable for dedicated fans of the series who appreciate its narrative and world-building.
- “If possible, play the former work, Library of Ruina, to see if you can endure this kind of gameplay. Due to the relatively high daily playtime required in its genre, I would only recommend this game to series fans who appreciate the game’s worldview and plot style. Compared to in-game purchases, the highly repetitive and high-intensity daily farming is more acceptable.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with players noting that despite the immersive audio and visual elements, performance issues such as low frame rates detract from the overall experience. This is particularly surprising given that the previous installment functioned well.
- “With the main plot's full Korean voice acting, players can enjoy a unique listening experience. The excellent music, distinct art style, and outstanding 2D battle performance greatly enhance the immersive experience.”
- “The optimization could use some improvement; even at low FPS, the gameplay isn't very comfortable, although the first part worked great.”
- “The only thing that confuses me is optimization; even at low FPS, it is not very comfortable, although the first part worked great.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to have stability issues, with users experiencing frequent bugs and crashes, often occurring within the first hour of gameplay.
- “It's kinda buggy; it crashed for me after only an hour of play.”

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Intravenous 2: Mercenarism

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