Volume is an isometric stealth game in which players explore VR environments, avoiding detection by enemies and collecting gems in order to unlock the exit.
Volume’s premise is both novel and unique: Using a forgotten (and decidedly humorous) AI, and a tool called the Volume, Robert Locksley reconstructs virtual rooms and areas to steal from. These rooms are taken straight from the archives of a power-hungry businessman-turned-ruler: Guy Gisborne (voiced by Andy Serkis!), and his many corrupt associates. Not content to merely replicate the act of stealing from these people, Locksley essentially live-streams his exploits across the internet, giving the downtrodden an opportunity to “take back what’s theirs” by following his literal walkthroughs. I enjoyed this odd quirky take on a futuristic live-streaming world, though the frequent references to “viewers”, “the internets”, and even a callout to Minecraft felt a little too on-the-nose.
That’s a very minimalistic description of the 100 levels of tense, strategic infiltration ahead of you. How every on-them of me; if only my brief and functional outline conveyed as much and worked as well as Volume’s spare, stylised aesthetic.
Like many stealth games, Volume carefully balances thinking and action. Each level is a puzzle, but once you’ve figured out the solution you still have to execute; those with confidence in their reflexes will have a better time of it. The majority of levels I encountered requires split-second timing, forward-thinking or both.
And all of this is delivered in a calm, cheerful, very British tone, where the gravity of the themes is neither over- nor underplayed. You’re charmed, of course, but this isn’t surface charisma; Volume delivers a thoughtful and biting narrative.
We’ve got the best of both worlds here. Volume is an open-ended experience, offering community content and competition far beyond the scope of its 20 levels – but it’s also a beautiful example of the old school dream of self-containment, not to mention the very rare achievement of a narrative that neither overwhelms nor takes a backseat to compelling gameplay. Top stuff.
Volume is now available on Mac, PC and PS4, with a cross-buy enabled Vita release due in a few weeks.
Volume’s premise is both novel and unique: Using a forgotten (and decidedly humorous) AI, and a tool called the Volume, Robert Locksley reconstructs virtual rooms and areas to steal from. These rooms are taken straight from the archives of a power-hungry businessman-turned-ruler: Guy Gisborne (voiced by Andy Serkis!), and his many corrupt associates. Not content to merely replicate the act of stealing from these people, Locksley essentially live-streams his exploits across the internet, giving the downtrodden an opportunity to “take back what’s theirs” by following his literal walkthroughs. I enjoyed this odd quirky take on a futuristic live-streaming world, though the frequent references to “viewers”, “the internets”, and even a callout to Minecraft felt a little too on-the-nose.
That’s a very minimalistic description of the 100 levels of tense, strategic infiltration ahead of you. How every on-them of me; if only my brief and functional outline conveyed as much and worked as well as Volume’s spare, stylised aesthetic.
Like many stealth games, Volume carefully balances thinking and action. Each level is a puzzle, but once you’ve figured out the solution you still have to execute; those with confidence in their reflexes will have a better time of it. The majority of levels I encountered requires split-second timing, forward-thinking or both.
And all of this is delivered in a calm, cheerful, very British tone, where the gravity of the themes is neither over- nor underplayed. You’re charmed, of course, but this isn’t surface charisma; Volume delivers a thoughtful and biting narrative.
We’ve got the best of both worlds here. Volume is an open-ended experience, offering community content and competition far beyond the scope of its 20 levels – but it’s also a beautiful example of the old school dream of self-containment, not to mention the very rare achievement of a narrative that neither overwhelms nor takes a backseat to compelling gameplay. Top stuff.
Volume is now available on Mac, PC and PS4, with a cross-buy enabled Vita release due in a few weeks.
