At first glance, Velvet Assassin’s incorporation of stealth-action gameplay in a World War II setting may strike observers as contrived and gimmicky. At its worst, critics might quirk a brow at the possibility of trivializing the unimaginable horrors of a war that only ended a few decades ago. Fortunately, Velvet Assassin pays tribute more respectfully to the heroes of the war than most other WWII games. Stealth and spy-centered games have typically relied on somewhat imbalanced gameplay, in which a superhero-like character trounces their way through mobs of weaker foes. While this cliché has not been altogether avoided in Velvet Assassin, the sleek and thoughtful presentation lends appropriate depth to what might have otherwise been a meaningless set of actions.

The game’s protagonist, Violette Summer, is based on a real character; more importantly, the narrative is developed through her perspective. The player is even responsible for guiding her through dream sequences; these are rather nicely depicted through a number of visual effects, and serve to strengthen the sense of personal inner struggle that one rarely comes across in an action game. The mechanics of silently stalking and cautiously avoiding detection are reasonably varied when put into practice, though the lack of open level design does make the game feel slightly dated. Probably one of the most memorable methods of enemy execution relies, not surprisingly, on stealth. Sneaking up behind a Nazi, priming a grenade on his belt, and then slipping into the shadows to watch the fireworks makes for some very satisfying scenarios – RPG fans will certainly be reminded of Oblivion’s similar tricks.

Other gameplay elements, such as the open firefights, feel extremely underdeveloped by contrast. The enemy AI is almost inexcusably poor for such a recent game, and the aiming feels (perhaps appropriately) like a nightmare. While it is understandable that this lone spy is not capable of easily mowing down squads of Germans with a handgun, the shooting sections are much too unwieldy. Even Sam Fisher was able to pop off a few well-placed rounds to down a charging foe before the developers started handing him shotguns and the like. The only potentially positive aspect of Violette’s clumsy aim would be that it encourages players to stick to stealth whenever possible. It goes without saying that stealth is where most of the game’s enjoyment lies, anyway.

Presentation, however, is what will likely make Velvet Assassin stand out from its peers. While Splinter Cell might have been a visual powerhouse in its day, Velvet Assassin has a great deal to contend with on the graphical front. That being said, much of the game’s artistic design is admirably lavished with attention that many games fail to receive. Vivid sunsets and sleek animations contribute to an extremely dense game to gaze upon, even if much of it is cast in heavy shadow. The only real complaint I can muster is that some greater devotion to gameplay development would have made any graphical irregularities much more forgivable. As it stands, the game feels almost too pretty for its own good.

Predicting enemy patrol routes is disappointingly easy in Velvet Assassin – the lack of spontaneity doesn’t bring much to the replayability table. However, what’s left is an extremely atmospheric stealth action game that offers just enough novelty to make the journey worthwhile. The mixture of striking visuals and sometimes horrifying sound effects do an excellent job of revealing the often overlooked aspect of humanity in a war zone, from the idle chatter of soldiers to the anguished cries of war prisoners. Without spoiling anything, I will say that the general presentation and narrative are really a cut above your mediocre action game. Any fan of stealth action will find Velvet Assassin a satisfying romp, but a revamped sequel could really give current genre kings a run for their money.

Gameplay: 7.0
Fairly solid mechanics, but there is a lack of polish in some spots.

Graphics: 8.0 
The usual assortment of effects and enhancements keep the game looking nice, even when the subject matter isn’t.

Sound: 7.0
Sounds are generally convincing, though a bit more variety might have raised overall immersion.

Difficulty: Medium
The same frustrations associated with stealth action games, but nothing too terrible.

Concept: 8.0 
A fresh spin on a somewhat risky genre, with a few memorable moments.

Overall: 7.7
There are many aspects of Velvet Assassin that could benefit from further time in development. Still, the game is strong enough to stand on its own, and will leave players ready and waiting for a sequel.