Product Description

Velvet Assassin tells the tale of Violette Summer, an intelligence agent working for the British government during Worl War II and number one on the Nazi list of most-wanted. Inspired by real-life heroin Violette Szaba, Velvet Assassin takes players through Europe's darkest hours of oppression under the jackboot of the Third Reich. Players will engage in varied missions of sabotage and assassination in a heroic attempt to help the allies overcome their enemy. One Woman, alone and deep behind enemy lines; Violette Summer is the Velvet Assassin.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9450 in Video Games
• Brand: Southpeak
• Model: 70025
• Published on: 2009-04
• Released on: 2009-04-28
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Platform: Xbox 360
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .57" h x 5.46" w x 7.54" l, .33 pounds

Features

• The ability to briefly stop time in-game via 'Morphine Mode,' which allows for easy dispatching of enemies or escape as needed.
• A beautifully detailed and dreamily frightening vision of the the adventures of a female WWII undercover assassin based on the real-life experiences of Violette Szabo.
• The ability to adjust heroine Violette's attributes to suit player preferences: Stealth, Strength and more through awards earned in-game.
• Access to a large variety of weapons and stealth gadgets true to 1940's WWII technology.
• Gameplay that is an incredible mix of assassination moves, satisfying firefights and hold-your-breath stealth action.

Amazon.com Product Description

Developed by Replay Studios in Hamburg, Germany, Velvet Assassin is a single player gaming experience that aims to redefine the stealth action genre through incredibly stylized visuals, immersive environments and a mysteriously haunting atmosphere. Inspired by the exploits of real-life WWII heroine, Violette Szabo, Velvet Assassin reveals the revulsions of war that are never spoken aloud and through its innovative third-person gameplay is set to change the way gamers think of combat forever. Play as heroine Violette Summer. View larger. Utilize the deadly stealth of the blade. View larger. As well as explosive firepower. View larger. Use and beware of the shadows. View larger. Story Born in Devon, England, Violette Summer grew up in a happy family and had a great and active childhood. Initially, she started her working life in a beauty salon before the outbreak of war inspired her to move to London and join the weapon industry. It didn't take too long for her to be noticed by the Secret Services; she was after all beautiful, athletic and had great attention to detail. It was only a formality that she was recruited into MI6 during Britain's darkest hours. Violette had lost an aunt during one of the first Luftwaffe bombing attacks and to further compound her heartache she later lost her RAF husband in battle. However, she was strong willed and used these painful experiences to inspire her to succeed as a spy for the MI6. And successful she was, but all things come to an end; or do they. Violette carried out several missions successfully before being captured by the Germans. Now lost in a coma and dying in hospital bed, she replays key moments from her past missions as a series of flashbacks. But where does reality end and hallucination begin? Gameplay Gameplay in Velvet Assassin is made up of a series of missions behind enemy lines in Nazi occupied Europe that Violette flashes back on from her hospital bed. The twist here is that although these have already happened, their outcome is not set. Missions are a mix of assassinations, demolitions and rescue operations where the player, is entirely on their own. Because of this, and your limited ability to carry weapons and ammo, you must rely heavily on stealth and weapons that draw the least amount of attention. If detected Violette will have to fight her way out of situations where she will always be outnumbered and almost certainly outgunned, yet when discovered and the chances of survival are slim, players do have the option of activating a play feature called 'Morphine Mode.' A sort of 'bullet time' linked to the drugs that Violette receives during her physical reality in her hospital bed, Morphine Mode allows the player to briefly freeze time, providing an opportunity to dispose of enemies without taking damage or to attempt escape. The experience leaves Violette dazed for a few moments though, so regardless of what the mode is used for players should make good one their plans to avoid being taken out as their heads clear. Adjustable Skills Violette's skills as an assassin are customizable. By completing missions successfully players accumulate the ability to change Violette's attributes to suit a preferred playing style and/or as a means of preparing Violette for anticipated combat situations. These customizable combat areas include stealth, strength, weapon handling and Morphine Mode effectiveness. Realistic WWII Era Weapons Although Velvet Assassin is primarily a stealth game, and as such players can expect to become extremely proficient with dispatching enemies silently with a blade, it also features a wealth of authentic looking and functioning Allied and Nazi weapons from the WWII era. Just a few of those included are: MP40 submachine gun, grenades, Colt .45 pistol, Lugar 9mm pistol, flame-throwers, shotguns, STG-44 assault rifle and the MG-42 machine gun. 12 Authentic European Locations Go on assassination missions in hyper-realistic dreamlike settings that are modeled after actual WWII locations. While on assignment you will battle Nazi enemies from the shadows, will discover letters and treasures left behind by German soldiers, be forced to deal with the frightening nature of your own nightmares, and complete rescue missions that are anything but life saving. Key Features Brutal assassinations - Use historically accurate World War II guns and knives to viciously execute your enemies. Dynamic lighting and shadows - Slip into the darkness of Nazi-controlled Europe and avoid the relentless searchlights of German guards that cut through your shadowy cover. Stylized environments - Explore surreal, dreamlike settings that are modeled after actual World War II locations. Adjustable skill - Adjustable skills allow you to change Violette's attributes to suit your playing style. Xbox Achievements and Gamer Points - Velvet Assassin feature 45 unlockable achievements and 1,000 gamer points.

Customer Reviews

What's with all the bad reviews?
I don't see why people are giving Velvet Assassin such bad reviews. Yeah, it's not an 'action' stealth game like Splinter Cell and Metal Gear Solid, but it holds it's own as being a WWII game that DOESN'T involve being in the frontlines.

I've been needing a stealth game for my 360 and Velvet Assassin fits the case perfectly. It's a surprisingly simple stealth game-for some this is good and others this is bad. If you're looking for a stealth game where you get to use gadgets and gizmos as well as climb up walls, use grappling guns ect...turn away now, for Velvet Assassin has none of this. Nope. In this game all you have are your wits to get you through.

You start out discovering that Violet is in a coma in a hospital. Where she is exactly, you don't know-but it's explained as you play along. You then enter memories of the first mission-which is basiclly a tutorial level.

Stealth is extremely simple. Stay in the shadows(and silent), and you're safe. Sneak behind an enemy and pull off as many silent kills as you can. Not only do these look sweet, but you can keep a low profile while doing so.

Firearms are based off real WWII weapons, and ammo for each one is EXTREMLEY limited, so you don't want to waste any shots unless you have to. I've read some reviews from people saying that they don't use the weapons...I seriously have NO clue how that's possible-I find myself needing to use them time and time again for silent headshot kills as well for blasting my way through enemies when the time is right.

You upgrade Violet by finding collectables in each mission. In some missions there are hidden objectives and precious collectables that will chalk you up with a TON of experiance points, so it's good to explore as much of the area as you can. Yes, gameplay is extremely linar-but that didn't bother me at all. I actually liked it due to the fact that whenever I play Splinter Cell I ALWAYS get lost and frustrated. Velvet Assassin dims down the 'frustrating lost' vibe by being linar.

Graphics are-I'll admit-not the greatest out there, but I'm not really one who nickpicks that sort of thing. I play on a standard 24 inch 480pi TV-and the game looks fine to me. Someone commented on the frame rate being bad, but I didn't notice anything. I guess if you're really picky about those sorts of things then you'd notice them.

The Morphine Mode in Velvet Assassin is pretty cool. Violet has the ability to use Morphine to stop time in all missions (except for missions 11 and 12) thus enabling her to pull off kills from the front or get the heck out of there. The screen glows white and Violet is in her nightgown (I'm not sure why...fits the mood, maybe?) with red blood cells floating everywhere. Weird...but cool at the same time.

The enviorments in Velvet Assassin are a mixture between boring and downright scary. The first mission is pretty boring. Once you hit the 'Third Man' mission things get sorta creepy. His mission 10 and you'll find yourself in a creepy little town where Nazis have killed and strung about innocent people. Mission 12 hands down has the scariest envoirment in the entire game.

This really isn't a problem as it is a surprise. I was rather shocked to see that Velvet Assassin actually has dead children in gameplay. It's nothing gory or anything by all means-but this is the first game I've played that actually has children in a village...ya know, where children should be? Every other game that I've played that takes place in a location that SHOULD have children-doesn't. This really did come as a surprise to me though. It's not bad, it's just unsual.

Personally I found Velvet Assassin to be quite fun. I was always eager to see where Violet would go next-and if she would ever wake up. (Oh, and her voice actor is really good) I enjoy the simple stealth system and found it fun to whistle-get someone's attention, and then stealth kill him for his stupidity. But I'm just the kind of person who has a knack for patience-and I don't need a flashy storyline to entertain me. Like I said, if you're looking for an 'action-packed' stealth game then I suggest you stay clear of Velvet Assassin, cuz this isn't the game for you.

Awesome stealth for the patient gamer
In the spirit of spinter cell.

Overall, Velvet Assassain is a great old school stealth game.

Great, vivid, eerie environments combined with a constant sense of hostility makes a beautiful gaming experience fit for only those with long attention spans.

If you enjoyed the original Splinter Cell or any of the Hitman games, this one will not dissapoint.
Just have an open mind.

A beautiful, fun, game, containing minor flaws.
Velvet Assassin has fun stealth sequences, detailed environments, fresh stealth ideas. It does contain flaws, as many games do, all of which are minor, the controls are good, contrary to what I have seen other reviewers say, I rented it first because I was unsure sbout it, from what I have seen of it review wise, I was expecting, crap. But it is nothing of the sort. It is an interesting, fun stealth game.