Best Stealth Games To Try If You Are Not Into The Genre

Summary

• Games like Batman: Arkham Knight and Hitman 3 allow forgiving stealth gameplay with easy escape options.
• This War Of Mine emphasizes stealth for greater rewards, making survival intense but rewarding.
• The Last of Us: Part 2 offers many accessibility options for more approachable gameplay, even related to stealth.

Stealth games can be exhilarating, sneaking up on an enemy and silently taking them down before escaping undetected. Even being caught and trying to get oneself out of hot water can be thrilling, escaping a situation and disappearing into the shadows, leaving enemies confused.

This genre is not for everyone, though, as many players tend to panic when under that kind of pressure. Some stealth games may still appeal to those people, as they are not too punishing if things go wrong, and players can easily get themselves out of a sticky situation. What’s more, these games are worth playing for reasons other than their more stealth-oriented aspects. For players who aren’t into stealth games, or are just starting to explore the genre, these are great titles to play.

10

Batman: Arkham Knight

Stealthily Traversing An Open-World Gotham City

The fourth installment in the Arkham series, Batman: Arkham Knight is very forgiving when it comes to stealth. Naturally, players are encouraged and even rewarded for more sneaky tactics, and some situations require the famous Dark Knight to remain in the shadows, but it’s not usually necessary.

The open world generally allows for an easy escape if a situation is too dicey, and Batman has his many gadgets to put the odds back in his favor. Driving the iconic Batmobile is also worth the price of admission alone, zooming through Gotham City in style.

9

This War Of Mine

Optional Stealth Yields Greater Rewards

While its harrowing nature and difficult themes may not appeal to everyone, This War Of Mine is a must-play title for many. Focusing on war and its effect on civilian populations, players must survive until a ceasefire is agreed, usually after 25–45 days, depending on the characters the player is controlling.

While scavenging at night, stealth is certainly encouraged, though it is not really necessary. It can be incredibly stressful, but greater risk yields greater reward. While it may be difficult to achieve, it is possible to take only essential supplies and escape, relying on self-sufficiency in the hideout and trading with non-hostile NPCs.

8

Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time

Platforming With A Hint Of Stealth

For those with a preference for platformers, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time is worth checking out. Taking control of the eponymous and larcenous raccoon, his ancestors, and several others, players must platform and sneak their way through levels and pull off grand heists, all while uncovering a plot.

Each playable character has their own unique abilities, which are usually helpful for reaching secret areas, and there are plenty of costumes to use as disguises. As a game aimed at players of all ages, and as a platformer, the levels are relatively forgiving if mistakes are made, so the more stealthy aspects of gameplay should not cause too much stress.

7

Hitman 3

The World Of Assassination Trilogy In One Neat Package

When it comes to variety, Hitman 3 and the wider World of Assassination trilogy is full of it. All three games are accessible through Hitman 3, and the many maps are diverse, from bustling city settings like Chongqing to the quieter countryside manor in Dartmoor. Each one offers unique costumes and useful items that can be used for various purposes.

Stealth is encouraged, of course, with the game giving a higher score and rewards in some cases when earning the ‘Silent Assassin’ rating. There are times when things don’t go as planned, and Agent 47 must make a hasty getaway, but players can find a new disguise or battle their way out of a tight situation.

6

Headhunter

Classic Action With Stealth Elements

• Platforms: Dreamcast, PlayStation 2
• Released: 2001-11-16
• Developer: Amuze
• Genre: Action-adventure, stealth

For a more retro feel with this Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 classic, Headhunter is generally thought of as a masterpiece. Taking place in a bleak city setting in the near future, players control Jack Wade, an amnesiac former bounty-hunter aiming to get his license to kill back.

In terms of gameplay, this cyberpunk game is a third-person shooter with some enjoyable stealth mechanics. The motorcycle sections are fun and break up the action. Some contemporary critics even compared the gameplay of Headhunter with Metal Gear Solid, which is high praise indeed.

5

Deus Ex

Revolutionary Gameplay In This Classic

Another classic game with cyberpunk themes and a dystopian city setting, Deus Ex is the first of many stellar games in the series. An FPS that can be played in multiple ways, stealth is perhaps the most popular, especially in the early game when it’s more difficult to go into situations with all guns blazing.

The game even adapts based on player actions. Entire sections of the game can be missed depending on how it is played, and NPCs react to the actions of the player. The varied and enjoyable gameplay is present throughout the Deus Ex series, and even players who don’t enjoy stealth can find something they like in every entry.

Open-World Stealth Action With Many Gameplay Options

While the game encourages a non-lethal approach and stealth, in Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain players can play pretty much however they like without any real punishment. The vast array of gadgets, weaponry and assistants allows Snake to escape almost any situation unscathed.

Adaptive enemy AI also means that players have to change their tactics from time to time, which keeps the gameplay fresh throughout. The game also gets easier if players are struggling, but they will be mocked with the dreaded “chicken hat” if things are too tough.

3

Dishonored

Multiple Approaches And Outcomes In Every Level

As with many games on this list, Dishonored has a high level of freedom in terms of how players interact with the game. While stealth is the optimal approach, players can also utilize a more direct attack, though it is perhaps more difficult and less fun that way.

Side missions open new non-lethal avenues for taking down targets, and Corvo’s many abilities offer the best approach to most conflicts. From summoning a hoard of rats, to slowing down time, there are multiple ways to take on any situation. Players are able to combine these abilities and even improve them in order to use them most effectively.

2

Assassin’s Creed 2

Still One Of The Best In The Series

There is so much on offer in Assassin’s Creed 2, not only focusing on the swift and sneaky killings of targets. There is plenty to keep players busy, such as exploring the many beautifully recreated Renaissance period Italian cities and the rebuilding efforts in Monteriggioni.

In terms of combat, players are of course encouraged to deal with their enemies quietly, but often Ezio must tackle enemies head on, especially when many guards are present during a murder. Escape is always an easy option too, with a plethora of hiding places dotted around the various settings.

1

The Last Of Us: Part 2

Many Accessibility Options

Arguably one of the greatest games ever made, The Last of Us: Part 2 is easily the best stealth game for players not into the genre, largely due to its myriad accessibility options. Stealth itself even has four options:

• Adjusting the level of stealth ranging from Very Light to Survivor, the same as the difficulty levels.
• Level of enemy perception through hearing, vision and smell.
• The length of time it takes enemies to alert one another about the player-character’s presence.
• Conditions for grabbing enemies from stealth, such as distance.

Other accessibility options include general difficulty, visual aids, and audio cues, among many others. Apart from accessibility and the engaging gameplay, the game is worth playing for the story alone, especially for anyone who has played the first game. Be warned, though, that it is a rather harrowing experience.