Intravenous 2

Intravenous 2 is the second part of a series of action games with clearly outlined stealth elements launched in 2021, inspired primarily by the Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell series. The sequel is the work of an independent Lithuanian studio, Explosive Squat Games. It is headed by Roman Glebenkov, who also developed the previous title.

Plot

The main characters of Intravenous 2 are Steve and Sean. We had the opportunity to get to know the first character in the previous part of the series, in which revenge for the loss of the brother entangled him in a much larger intrigue. The second character is trying to unravel the mystery of his father's kidnapping. When their paths cross, both men decide to join forces and fight together for survival and the realization of their goals. How their joint journey will end depends on our decisions and the choices we make.

Gameplay

In Intravenous 2 we watch the action from a top-down perspective, like in the Hotline Miami series. We participate in missions, during which we explore various locations, deal with patrolling enemies, and accomplish the quests set before us. The game allows us to choose how we will deal with the enemy threat.

We can engage in gunfights and rely on a wide range of firearms (which we can modify and adapt to our needs and preferences using various accessories or different types of ammunition), as well as useful combat gadgets. When it comes to direct combat, Sean fares better than Steve, as he can slow down time, which gives him a temporary advantage.

Enemies often overwhelm us with their numbers, and also behave quite reasonably, seeking cover, using flashlights, calling for reinforcements, and employing other tactical maneuvers. All this means that acting silently and eliminating targets by surprise may be a better solution.

The presence of silencers (they can be attached to weapons) and shadows (in which we can hide, as well as destroy light sources) or even the ability to distract enemies encourages the latter approach. It's also worth remembering that sounds that may attract the attention of adversaries are not only made by our weapon, but also by the character if they take steps carelessly.