Velvet Assassin

Velvet Assassin is generally a very good game, but its frustrating combat and somewhat uneven gameplay hold it back to be truly spectacular .

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Velvet Assassin is a stealth-based game set in World War II, where you play as British spy Violette Summer on dangerous missions behind enemy lines. Experience Violette's experiences through her fever dreams, using stealth and cunning to execute over 50 brutal assassinations and avoid detection. Use the environment to your advantage and complete missions with quick and silent takedowns.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

44%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,817 reviews

story188 positive mentions

stability56 negative mentions

The game has a unique and atmospheric WWII setting, with good graphics and sound design.
Stealth mechanics are engaging, requiring players to think strategically about enemy movements and approaches.
The protagonist, Violette Summer, is a compelling character based on a real-life spy, adding depth to the story.

The game suffers from a frustrating checkpoint system, forcing players to replay large sections after dying.
AI behavior is inconsistent, with enemies sometimes spotting players inappropriately or being oblivious to their presence.
Combat mechanics are clunky and not well-executed, making gunplay feel unsatisfying compared to stealth gameplay.

story
744 mentions
25 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of "Velvet Assassin" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its dark atmosphere and historical inspiration from real-life spy Violette Szabo, yet criticizing its disjointed narrative and lack of depth. While some found the premise intriguing and the character compelling, others felt the missions lacked cohesion and the overall plot was thin, leading to a frustrating experience, especially in the final levels. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a highlight for some, but many agree it falls short of its potential due to gameplay issues and a fragmented narrative structure.
- “Still, the writing and atmosphere are great in Velvet Assassin and it was a surprisingly dark story.”
- “Ah, the story and the character is inspired by a true life heroine - this was a blast for me!”
- “With a marvelous dystopic atmosphere, a lovely but otherworldly color grading, a disturbing soundtrack and a dark and horrifying story based on real persons, this is easily one of the best if not the best gaming experience dealing with national socialists and the 3rd Reich that I know.”
- “The story was just non-existent; I didn't know what was going on the majority of the time, and it's a shame because the protagonist was really good, she was just put into a really bland storyline which had no proper foundation to it.”
- “The main plot and the mission objectives are nothing to talk about; they're just a mere pretext to let the action be carried out.”
- “The overall story falls flat at the end - the game literally cuts off in a manner that suggests that they never got around to making the last level - but up to that point, the story is simple but engaging.”
gameplay
578 mentions
22 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Velvet Assassin" is characterized by its basic and often frustrating stealth mechanics, which can feel clunky and inconsistent, leading to a trial-and-error experience. While the game offers a unique atmosphere and some engaging moments, many players find the linear level design and repetitive gameplay detract from the overall experience, especially as the game progresses into more combat-oriented scenarios. Despite its potential, the execution of gameplay mechanics leaves much to be desired, making it a mixed bag for fans of the stealth genre.
- “Velvet Assassin offers a stealth-action experience set in World War II with its atmospheric environments and tense gameplay moments.”
- “The gameplay is great, the stealth system fairly simple; hide in shadows, don't walk in front of people, but it can get pretty intense, especially the later levels where there are less shadows to hide in and you need to perform more daring assassinations on patrolling enemies.”
- “With all that said, Velvet Assassin remains a very decent stealth game and I recommend it for its unique grim atmosphere and interesting mechanics, with some real-life WWII history to be learned.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are horribly janky and even the simplest of systems weren't even implemented into it to begin with.”
- “I couldn't keep playing Velvet Assassin because of the gameplay, which is unfortunate because the story genuinely looks interesting, but the gameplay is horrid.”
- “The stealth mechanics are poor, and you'll feel like you are spotted when you shouldn't be, and you aren't when you should be; it's bad.”
graphics
338 mentions
49 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game, released in 2009, are generally considered decent for its time, with many reviewers praising the art style, dynamic lighting, and atmospheric visuals. While some players find the graphics dated and lacking polish, others appreciate the unique aesthetic and the way it enhances the game's moody atmosphere. Overall, the visuals are seen as a strong point, contributing positively to the game's experience despite some technical issues and limitations.
- “The art style surprisingly still holds up 'til this day, really cool aesthetic.”
- “By 2009 standards, this game really punched above its weight in the graphics department, especially its beautiful lighting effects, which hold up even today.”
- “The graphics are really good for the time and more than just okay for now.”
- “I feel like I am playing a stealth game made in Roblox but with PS2 graphics.”
- “The graphics suck balls and the sound is instantly forgettable.”
- “The graphics look like total ass and the game is very unoptimized.”
atmosphere
185 mentions
65 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in *Velvet Assassin* is widely praised for its dark, immersive, and gritty portrayal of World War II, effectively capturing the tension and horror of the era. Reviewers highlight the game's impressive lighting, sound design, and art style, which contribute to a foreboding and unsettling environment that enhances the stealth gameplay. Overall, the atmospheric elements, including well-crafted dialogue and a haunting soundtrack, are considered the game's strongest aspects, often overshadowing its gameplay shortcomings.
- “Velvet Assassin offers a stealth-action experience set in World War II with its atmospheric environments and tense gameplay moments.”
- “With a marvelous dystopic atmosphere, a lovely but otherworldly color grading, a disturbing soundtrack, and a dark and horrifying story based on real persons, this is easily one of the best, if not the best, gaming experiences dealing with national socialists and the Third Reich that I know.”
- “The atmosphere is spot on, dark and unsettling with an equally gloomy soundtrack, keeping you on edge really well.”
- “Awkward gameplay, uninspired atmosphere, and terrible voice acting don't inspire a full playthrough.”
- “No redeeming quality except for atmosphere on some levels.”
- “Gritty WWII occupied Europe atmosphere, but frustrating checkpoint save system and clunky gunplay which, unfortunately, comprises a majority of the final part of the game.”
music
88 mentions
55 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the tension and mood during gameplay, particularly in stealth scenarios. While some tracks are described as excellent and fitting for the dark WWII theme, others are criticized for being intrusive or lacking depth. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's dystopian atmosphere, though opinions vary on its execution and impact.
- “It also has a good soundtrack and environmental design with a unique voice cast showcasing an English-speaking protagonist amongst a bunch of German-speaking enemies.”
- “Special mention to the soundtrack, while it often does the typical punchy, tense beats, it’s also got a bizarre horror flair in later levels full of low, raspy sounds and ominous tones that work surprisingly well for a stealth game.”
- “The music certainly sets the tone for your secretive missions and dangerous scenarios.”
- “The credits music track sounds like it has a failed recorder ('crappy flute') in the mix, but you have to spend around 10 hours playing the game to hear it, and it is not enough to redeem this title to warrant a recommendation.”
- “Sound design is torn between excellent voice acting and obnoxious background music during gameplay.”
- “Music is... eh.”
stability
56 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally described as inconsistent, with many players reporting minor glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, though most are not game-breaking. While some users experienced smooth performance at high frame rates, others faced critical errors and crashes upon launch. Overall, the game is considered playable, but players should be prepared for occasional technical issues.
- “You'll find lots of bugs and glitches that will quickly ruin the experience, if you manage to run it at all.”
- “There are glitches present, like you getting stuck when trying to climb a box, or enemies' animations getting stuck and then killing you when you try to stealth kill them.”
- “Despite the fact my computer meets or exceeds the system requirements for the game, it still encounters a 'critical error' and freezes/crashes upon launch...every freakin' time!”
optimization
30 mentions
27 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance at 60+ fps and no crashes, while others report significant issues, including poor graphics and unresponsiveness. Many users noted that the game runs well on low-end machines, but some encountered lag when using features like the Steam overlay. Overall, opinions vary widely, with some praising its optimization and others deeming it very unoptimized.
- “Performance-wise, I haven't encountered any bugs, but I have found some minor glitches here and there; though they were few and far between, the game runs smooth as butter at 60+ fps.”
- “Options range from very high to low, with good performance for low-end machines.”
- “Optimized as hell, it's from Replay Studios, great storyline, very low requirements, and great looking at the same time; graphics aren't aged at all.”
- “Very unoptimized game.”
- “The graphics look like total ass and the game is very unoptimized.”
- “If you want to do screenshots with the F12 key, then the changes you have to make to get the Steam overlay to work may cause laggy performance with the controller, which makes it harder to play the game successfully.”
humor
22 mentions
91 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from the dark and ironic interactions between Nazi soldiers, whose conversations can be both amusing and unsettling, showcasing a blend of dark humor and absurdity. While some players appreciate the comedic elements, particularly in the voice acting and dialogue, others feel the overall tone is serious and bleak, leaving little room for humor. Overall, the game's attempt at humor is hit-or-miss, with some finding it hilariously awful while others see it as a reflection of the game's darker themes.
- “The dialogues between the Nazi soldiers can be pretty funny sometimes and are also voice acted in perfect German.”
- “The enemies have, at times, interesting and funny conversations.”
- “Can only recommend because it's hilariously awful.”
- “Like Catwoman, but not funny at all.”
emotional
12 mentions
83 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its emotionally engaging narrative, featuring intense and heartbreaking moments that resonate with players, particularly in its portrayal of dark themes during WWII. While the story captivates up to a certain point, some reviewers feel it ultimately falls flat, with a lack of resolution and technical flaws detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the strong voice acting and well-crafted incidental dialogue contribute to a mature emotional journey.
- “The narrative structure is interesting, full of dark themes and delivered by solid voice actors. Overall, I would call the game emotionally engaging, and that is one of the things that definitely make it worth playing, even though the gameplay doesn’t offer that much variety.”
- “A heart-pounding, emotional yet mature ride during the darker times of WWII.”
- “It's sometimes heart-wrenching to kill some poor soldier who's just been chatting about his girlfriend that he misses, and sometimes really satisfying to kill some Nazi who's just been bragging about all the atrocities he's committed.”
grinding
9 mentions
22 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
78 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in missions that require waiting and watching patterns. The combat-heavy final level is also criticized for its lack of engagement, contributing to an overall sense of monotony throughout the gameplay experience.
- “A lot of the missions can get extremely tedious really fast.”
- “For a game, it is much too tedious and feels more like waiting and watching patterns.”
- “Tedious, contrived, repetitive stealth mechanics make this a game you should try your best to hide from.”
replayability
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability, enhanced by two difficulty levels, making it appealing for players who enjoy challenging gameplay. At a low price of $5, it provides over 6 hours of content, ensuring good value for those who appreciate sneak-em-ups and unique experiences.
- “If you like sneak-em-ups, punishing difficulty, good replayability, and a slice of weirdness, then this game is for you.”
- “It's only $5, so it's a very cheap price for a game that will easily net you a solid 6+ hours and more, especially since there is some replayability to it.”
- “There is some replay value in this regard, as well as two difficulties.”
character development
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game features a unique and memorable main character design, but many users feel that the RPG elements are overly simplistic, rating this aspect around 6/10. Overall, while there is some character development, it lacks depth and complexity.
- “The main character design is unique and memorable.”
- “RPG elements 6/10 - character development is present, but it's far too simplistic for my taste.”
monetization
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy in these games increasingly focuses on female characters for advertising and promotional content, enhancing the overall atmosphere with appealing music. This approach reflects a trend in targeting specific demographics while integrating engaging audio elements.