With stealth games, players must rely on more than just their agility and shooting accuracy to get through levels undetected. It takes careful planning and ingenuity to discover the optimal route that will avoid enemy patrols, security cameras, and other traps.
If you want to test your mettle and see if you have what it takes to be a true stealthy ninja, try any of these top-rated titles:
15. Tomb Raider
The first stealth game on our list is Tomb Raider from 1996. In this game, players take on the role of Lara Croft, an archaeologist who must use her wits and stealth to navigate through dangerous tombs and ruins. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics and immersive graphics, and is often considered one of the best games of all time.
14. Aragamis
In Aragami, the player controls an undead assassin with the power to control shadows. The objective of the game is to infiltrate various strongholds and eliminate specific targets. It features an open world environment and allows the player to approach situations in multiple ways. The stealth mechanics are heavily influenced by the Ninja Gaiden and Metal Gear Solid series.
13. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay takes place in the year 2547 and follows the character Richard B. Riddick as he tries to escape from a maximum security prison known as Butcher Bay. The game features a number of stealth gameplay elements, such as the ability to see in the dark and use air vents to move around undetected. It also features a number of action-oriented gameplay elements, such as melee combat and gunplay.
12.Invisible, Inc.
In this game, the player controls a team of spies who must complete missions while avoiding detection by enemy forces. It features multiple difficulty levels, branching stories, and a variety of unlockable characters. Invisible, Inc. received positive reviews from critics, praising its stealth and gameplay mechanics. However, its drawback is the high level of difficulty, which can be frustrating for some players.
11. The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II features some of the most intense and exciting stealth gameplay we’ve ever seen, with players having to carefully plan and execute their every move to get through each encounter alive. It lacks replay value, but the game is still an absolute must-play for any fan of the stealth genre.
Related: How old is Ellie in The Last of Us 2 Part 2?
10. Alien: Isolation
Based on the Alien sci-fi horror film series, the game follows Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley, as she explores a space station in an attempt to find her mother. The player must use stealth to avoid enemies, using techniques such as hiding under beds or inside lockers and avoiding line of sight with security cameras and motion trackers.
One of the best features of the game is the excellent sound design that allows you to hear the aliens as they move around the station, giving you a real sense of fear and danger. On the other hand, its visual design is not that impressive, but it still looks good enough not to detract from the game.
9. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is a tactical stealth game set in Japan during the Edo period. The player controls a group of five ninjas with different abilities and must use them to complete missions while avoiding detection. Its best feature is its intricate level design, which allows for a wide variety of approaches and solutions. On the other hand, it lacks a cohesive story.
8. Assassin’s Creed
Assassin’s Creed is a series of stealth games that follows the life and times of Altair Ibn-La’Ahad, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, Connor Kenway, and Desmond Miles. It is known for its historical settings, open world exploration, and parkour gameplay. The player assumes the role of an assassin who must complete missions assigned to him by various historical figures. The games are set in the 12th, 15th and 18th centuries respectively. Each one offers a different take on stealth gameplay that is unique to its time period.
One downside to the series is that it has become increasingly action-oriented as it has progressed. This has led some fans to feel that the games have been lost. Despite this, Assassin’s Creed games are still some of the best stealth games you can play.
7. Mark of the Ninja
Mark of the Ninja follows the story of a ninja named Kiryu who, after being betrayed and left for dead, must take revenge on those who wronged him. It ranks seventh as its mechanics are heavily focused on stealth, and players can use the environment to their advantage. For example, they can use shadows to stay hidden, and they can use sound to lure enemies into traps. This can make for some very tense moments, as one wrong move can mean getting found out and killed.
6. Thief: The Dark Project
Released in 1998, Thief: The Dark Project is a stealth game set in a steampunk world where the player assumes the role of Garrett, a master thief. The game was developed by Looking Glass Studios and published by Eidos Interactive.
Thief: The Dark Project is considered one of the best stealth games ever made and is credited with popularizing the stealth genre. Game mechanics and level design encourage players to avoid combat and instead focus on sneaking around undetected. The game’s soundtrack also contributes to the suspenseful atmosphere, making it one of the most immersive stealth experiences around.
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5. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Set in a cyberpunk world where technology has advanced to the point of creating powerful cyborgs called “augs”, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided casts you as Adam Jensen, an aug working for an international task force called Interpol. The central plot of the game revolves around the conflict between the Augs and the non-Augs, and how Jensen gets caught up in the middle of it.
Mankind Divided has excellent level design and stealth mechanics. The game gives you a ton of options for completing quests, and it’s up to you to decide how you want to approach each one. You can go with guns blazing, or you can take a stealthier approach and try to avoid combat altogether. There are also several different types of augments that you can use to help you complete quests in different ways.
4. Hitman 3
The third and final installment in the World of Assassination trilogy, Hitman 3 is the culmination of everything IO Interactive has learned about what makes a great stealth game over the years. While its predecessors gave you a plethora of options to take down your targets, Hitman 3 takes it a step further by giving you a complete sandbox to play. Each level is packed with opportunities for creative assassination, whether it’s poisoning a drink, sabotaging a power-up. line, or just shooting your target with a sniper rifle from afar.
And if you’re looking for a challenge, the new Escalation mode will put your stealth skills to the test by asking you to shoot down targets in increasingly difficult scenarios. Hitman 3 is the perfect stealth game for those who want to plan their assassinations down to the last detail.
3. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
The story of the game follows Sam Fisher as he tries to stop a group of terrorists from starting a world war. The gameplay of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is based on stealth and Sam Fisher has a variety of abilities that help him stay hidden from enemies. These abilities include being able to see in the dark, using laser tripwires, and using noise-making devices.
Players need to be careful when playing against enemies who can easily spot Sam Fisher if he is careless. The game also has a variety of different types of enemies, each with their own unique abilities that players must learn to counter.
2. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Nine years after the events of MGSV: Ground Zeroes and the fall of Mother Base, Snake, aka Big Boss, awakens from a nine-year coma in a hospital in Cyprus. He sets out to rebuild his private army, the Diamond Dogs, and get revenge on the people who destroyed it.
In Metal Gear Solid V, you can use your surroundings to your advantage, taking cover and hiding to remain undetected. There are also a variety of ways to take down enemies, from silent takedowns to all-out gunfights.
1. Disgraced 2
Dishonored 2 ranks first on our list of the best stealth games of all time. In the sequel, you once again take control of either Corvo Attano or Emily Kaldwin, both powerful assassins with their own unique set of skills and abilities. The game takes place in the fictional city of Karnaca, and your goal is to overthrow the tyrannical ruler, Duke Luca Abele.
To do this, you’ll need to use all your stealth skills, as well as your creative thinking, to complete a variety of missions that will ultimately lead you to your goal. The game is incredibly rewarding and allows for a great deal of choice and freedom for the player. Whether you want to take a stealthy approach or go with all guns blazing, Dishonored 2 has you covered.
If you’re interested in more stealth games, check out What is Stray? Release date, stealth cats and more! and How to Instantly Kill Enemies in Sifu here on MyFullGames.