Back to Basics Stealth: My Thoughts on Volume

I've always had a soft spot for stealth games, especially the ones that rely on the player's quick wit and swift movement rather than deadly force to succeed. Volume, the new game from Thomas Was Alone developer Mike Bithell, does just that: it's a beautifully old-school take on the stealth genre that also manages to hide a few new tricks up its sleeve. I've only just begun to scratch the surface of what the game has to offer (it features 100 campaign levels) but have been so incredibly taken by it so far. Much like Thomas Was Alone, Volume features deceptively simple game design: collect all of the items in a level and escape, all while avoiding enemies. Both games also share a similar learning curve, as you learn new techniques as you progress to counter the equally evolving enemy types and level design. It's always challenging without being overly difficult. It's equal parts Robin Hood, Tron, and Metal Gear Solid, a lovely combination if I do say so myself.

The premise is a science fiction take on the Robin Hood legend. You play as Rob Locksley, a small-time thief who uses a device called the "Volume" to simulate robberies. Rob decides to stream his digital robberies online (I like to think he uses Twitch) to demonstrate to the citizens of dystopian England how to "steal from the rich". It features the vocal talents of YouTube celebrity Chris McDonnell, Danny Wallace (the narrator from Thomas Was Alone), and even Gollum himself, Andy Serkis. Story takes somewhat of a backseat to the gameplay, but it's well written and implemented, and always intriguing.

As the game progresses, Rob is given some new toys to play with, like a noise maker that can be thrown to lure guards away from their posts or a flashy item to distract them. Of course, Rob can also utilize some less advanced techniques to outwit his enemies, like whistling and hiding in closets. Controls are butter smooth and the level design is excellent, though it is easy to take advantages of the A.I. at times. It's fun, challenging, and addicting.

Volume features 100 story missions (which all last around 5 minutes or so), but the real draw here is its robust level editor. It gives players every tool that was used to create all of its campaign levels, allowing them every ability to create an endless stream of new content. If the community plays its part (like I think it will), Volume could have some serious legs.

I've been looking for a game to really grab me all year long, and have yet to find one until now. Volume is a "just one more level" kind of game, one that begs you to just keep going. I had a hard time putting my controller down the first time I started playing, and could see myself spending a lot of time with it in the future. If you've been wanting a stealth experience in the same vein as the original Metal Gear Solid, then Volume is just the game for you.