Volume Reviews
Fans of stealth games will definitely find plenty to enjoy here but others may find themselves left cold by a game that seemingly refuses to acknowledge that less can be more.
Volume deserves credit for being fresh and accessible, but after a couple of dozen levels or so, it starts to grow repetitive. It was easy to pick up the controller and play, but without a lot of new innovations and a middling storyline, it was also entirely too easy to take breaks and move onto something else.
Volume has a carefully considered set of mechanics and it will certainly appeal to those who love stealth action and are interested in completing each of the levels as quickly as possible, moving smoothly and without having to get saved by the checkpoints.
Volume's strengths are primal but simple, at times feeling like a Crossy Road-style time-passer with a cyberpunk sheen. It tries but ultimately doesn't say much of modern society or governments beyond the elementary. Indeed, it is the modern videogame incarnate, warts and all.
Keep in mind that Metal Gear Solid VR Missions wasn't even that great of a game.
Volume merges its influences very well and creates a very fun atmosphere, provided by good puzzles and a great script. Most game design and rhythm failures in the story are forgotten by the addictive and simple gameplay. The map editor, the creations of the community and the desire to return to the main story maps, seeking to improve your completion time, give the game a great replay factor and represents the great package that Volume is.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Even with its flaws, Volume is a hugely enjoyable puzzle game, wearing its influences proudly on its sleeve. Near-perfect pacing, a wonderful soundtrack and deceptively simple gameplay, Volume will have you creeping back for more to try and top the leaderboards on as many levels as possible, and maybe even create a few more as well.
Indeed: such replayability (or maybe extendibility? Is that even a word?) might be Volume's greatest virtue, but only for those willing to overlook its flaws. If I were to summarize Volume's design elements in a word, it might be appropriate: the sharp, low-polygon virtual reality aesthetic feels appropriate for any virtual reality stealth game; David Housden's dramatic, electro-orchestral score feels appropriate for any futuristic espionage thriller.