Velvet Assassin is a 3rd-person stealth shooter set during World War II. The player assumes the role of Violette Summers , a fictional secret agent inspired by real-life agent Violette Szabo. As she lies in a coma at a military hospital, recovering from injury, the player experiences her memories of missions behind German enemy lines.
Gameplay focuses on stealth and dynamic lighting, with the player exploiting shadows to remain unseen. A purple aura surrounds Violette when hidden, which fades upon movement into light or detection by enemies. The "Morphine Mode" allows her to move quickly without taking damage, inspired by a real-life experience where Violette was given morphine during a mission.
The game features various stealth kills based on the weapons Violette is using at the time. Collectibles hidden throughout levels reward experience points, which can be used to boost player abilities.
The atmosphere and art style are intentionally contrasting and moody due to the game's fantasy world of memories. This allows for a unique and immersive gaming experience.
Certain releases include bonus content such as game trailers, wallpapers, and comics on a separate disc.