Stealthgames have seemingly grown in a more niche way in recent years. While stealth mechanics as a whole remain, these have become supplementary to the overall experience, auseful tool for storiesin a broad toolkit, as opposed to the focus on the gameplay.
But maybe this is a rather pertinent way for thestealth-actiongenre to be seen. Hiding within and among AAA titles and indie darlings, a host ofexcellent stealth-action titlesstill bring the pain perfectly and silently. Players wanting to get a taste of sneaky action should make sure they haven’t missed out on these fantastic titles.
Assassin’s Creedgames have eased up on the ‘assassin’ part in recent titles. Certainly, experimenting with what it means to be an assassin and how they’ve functioned in different cultures is as essential part of this series' longevity, as there’s only so long they can write about the sort of “quintessential” assassin without the formula growing stale. But after a few years of rugged Norse raiders and spear-wielding warriors,Miragepresents an excellent returnto the classic assassin.
Assassin’s Creed: Miragecombines that classic stealth and subterfuge from the earliest titles in the series with incredible graphics and gameplay revisions that have become a staple in their own right within theAssassin’s Creedseries. Definitely a game for those who love the idea of theAssassin’s Creedseries, but were turned off by some of the elements in the more recent titles, like loot boxes or leveled gear.
Following on from the monolithicDishonored,Dishonored 2combines brutal action and magical gameplay with a modular twist to make for an incredibly compelling stealth title. Supernatural abilities marry some incredibly engaging stealth mechanics in a game that keeps the narrative tight and focused while offering a lot of player input that ultimately shapes how the story concludes.A dark fantasy that is well worth its immersion, the sequel lives up to the original’s incredible legacy - and even surpasses it in some ways.
Dishonored 2has a dark but fascinating world for the player to explore, a brutal revenge narrative on a grand scale, and a blend of different combat styles that are all augmented by the cloak of stealth - there’s a strategy that makes the most sense for every player, and seeing it through is an incredible experience.
This game made waves upon release, a stunning mixture of tactical action and intrigue, synthesized into an incredible package. For 9 years (yes, it’s been that long) this game has enthralled people with an expansive open world and an utterly unique military style. Controlling a private army in this sci-fi-inspired - but still incredibly gritty and grounded - title is a very cathartic experience, and guiding Snake to his revenge is one of the greatest narrative experiences in gaming.
This game is anexemplar in the stealth open-world genre, and it is most definitely one to keep an eye on for players looking for a fantastic story to get lost in, and the use of the FOX Engine truly heightens that experience with its attention to detail and mechanics.
Thief: The Dark Projectis in many ways the pioneer of thefirst-person stealth-action genre. This game had reactive enemies who could see, smell, and hear the world around them, and it left the protagonist in a series of increasingly dangerous missions in their quest for revenge.Thief Goldis the original, no-frills version ofDark Projectwith a host of additional missions and campaigns to really flesh out the experience.
Don’t let the game’s original age scare you off, it’s an elegant and focused combination of gameplay mechanics to see here and they hold up exceptionally well by modern standards. This is, without a doubt, one of the exemplars of the stealth genre, and many subsequent stealth games owe a debt toThiefthat they’re going to have to pickpocket their way into repaying.
Combining three incredibly polished and well-made stealth games,Hitman: World Of Assassinationties together a trilogy into a single, dark, and slick package. The story is an engaging thriller filled with twists and subversions, expanding on the world of Agent 47. Every individual map has its own unique style and flair, and no two areas feel the same. Everything from an Italian coastal village to bustling streets in Miami has a distinct, lovingly detailed feel.
The game has an abundance of updates and DLC, and while this is undoubtedly a reason to play, there is a caveat to having this game as the top stealth game among all these contenders. TheWorld of Assassinationbundle is a confusing and frankly predatory way to market these less as an individual bundle of games, but more as a mini platform of sorts, whereHitmancontent can be parceled out. Getting past this hurdle is the only thing stopping players from sinking their teeth into some of the best stealth action available today.
