Stealth is a niche genre in gaming. Most of the time, “stealth” is just one out of several ways by which you can complete the level, with you picking the path less traveled. However, there are games that put stealth on the forefront, with the developers focusing all of their efforts into the mechanics. In this list below we would list out the top stealth games ever created on PC.
Gunpoint
Available on: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux
Some stealth games can be very similar to a puzzle, with enemies moving on a fixed interval. All movements that you made have to be done in consideration. Gunpoint puts you inside the boots of a detective who’s on the run, framed for a crime he did not commit.
As you cannot take your assailants head-on, each level would give you a puzzle of sorts. The objective is usually to navigate from point A to point B without getting your presence detected. You would have to hack everything on your way to get through, from the simplest light switch to door panels.
Dishonored 2
Available on: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The sequel to Dishonored’s critical acclaim, Dishonored 2 has perfected the formula of the first game and bring it to a new height. In this sequel, you get to explore the City of Karnaca, which is located on another continent, with its own unique culture and aesthetics.
The most noticeable change in this game is the ability to custom your character to the max, with the crafting system. You can stack, mix and match an array of over a hundred unique perks to create a character suited to your play style.
The map and quest designs are improved too, with a lot of unique objects for you to interact with. Quests are branched into sub-quests that would give you even more options to accomplish your goal.
Invisible, Inc.
Available on: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, iOS
A turn-based stealth game, Invisible Inc. is famous for its randomized levels and permanent death mode. In this game, you will control a team of secret agents whose quest is to infiltrate facilities and steal their secrets. You have to calculate every single move, running, hiding, ambushing your enemies. The most challenging things in the game are the extra objectives, as you would often have to make hard decisions that could affect the rest of your playthrough. Do you try to haul your sleeping buddy to the escape pad or do you make use of that time to get some of the extra objectives done?
Hitman: Blood Money
Available on: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360
Agent 47 has had a great career, with every game being a solid testament for the popularity of stealth games between generations. The franchise has taken us all over the globe, with missions in every unique place conceivable.
Blood Money is probably the best Hitman game in the previous generation, with fantastic level designs providing some of the best and diverse ways for you to complete your objective. The usual Hitman formula is preserved, as you are encouraged to get in, disguise in your 100 costumes, assassinate your target, and get out. The newspaper at the end of the level is actually a great way of reporting about what you did in the level.
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Available on: Mobile, N-Gage, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3
Chaos Theory is probably the best game in the Splinter Cell series, with an extreme focus on light and sound in level designs. With his infrared goggles, Sam Fisher is the hunter of the night – you can ambush and destroy your enemies with the cover of darkness. The game also introduced some of the more popular stealth mechanics that are still used today – the environmental silent takedowns, for example. In this game, you can hang upside down from pipes and snap guards’ necks, pull them over edges of a runway… in short, using the level designs against your opponents.
Commandos 2
Available on: Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Mac OS X
Commando 2 is actually one of the more unique stealth game, with its tactical stealth squad gameplay and the WW2 theme.
The level designs are probably the best part of this game, with challenging maze-like levels that you can explore and sneak your way to getting through. Each mission is very long – you would always have to plan quite a few steps ahead if you want to survive. Monitoring enemies’ movement patterns, line of sight and hiding spots constantly is crucial.
Hitman 2016
Available on: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, macOS
The Hitman franchise has reached a new height with the remake in 2016. Before its release, a lot of people doubted the game, as the episodic format has proven times and times again to be highly unreliable. However, they have learned to sing another song after a steady stream of contents change their minds. Hitman 2016 consists of six wonderfully crafted maps that are specifically designed for their re-play value.
This format actually makes amazing sense, with only the best elements of the Hitman franchise being kept, while other things like stories get discarded. The ultimate challenge in the game is the Escalation mode, with you being made to complete an array of ridiculous challenges, like kill a clown using a statue while wearing a magician’s outfit.
Alien: Isolation
Available on: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Linux, OS X, Nintendo Switch
While being one of the top horror games ever made, Stealth is actually the main part of the gameplay in Alien Isolation. You crawl in vents, stay out of sight, hide in lockers – trying your best to not attract the attention of the fearsome xenomorph.
The volatile and unpredictable nature of the Alien makes sneaking around it an absolute challenge. The horror hybrid actually brings some unique mechanics to the attention of the player, as everything now has advantages and disadvantages. For example, a little bit of sprint might make a lot of noise, attracting the alien to your position. However, correct use of it can get you out of many sticky situations.
Metal Gear Solid V
Available on: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Metal Gear Solid 5 transplants the stealth core of the series from linear environments into large open worlds, banking everything on great enemy AI and numerous moving parts that allow players freedom of approach in any given situation. You can alternate Snake’s movements between crouching, crawling, and diving as you infiltrate outposts. Your arsenal is also fully customizable, with multiple options such as knives, custom firearms, or even the classic MGS cardboard box.
The game encourages a silent approach for missions, as the new reflex mode feature would grant you a couple seconds of slow-motion seconds so that you could eliminate the enemy who spotted you and continue your quest undetected. A scope is a key tool for approaching outposts, allowing you to tag enemies in advance, and later distinguish how skilled they are for kidnap purposes.
Mark of the Ninja
Available on: Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Linux, OS X, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
The second Klei game on this list, Mark of the Ninja brings stealth mechanics and gameplay into the format of a 2D sidescroller.
In this game, sound, lighting and hiding spots are crucial, as your main job is to leap from shadows to shadows, planning out your strategy and jumping down on your prey. The simplicity of the mechanic is actually a strong point of this game, as anyone would be able to figure out a part to victory after just a few simple clashes.
The 2D nature of the game is actually a plus, as it makes the stealth gameplay more focused. And with all the wonderful assassination tools at your disposal, every single level would be a unique challenge. Mark of the Ninja has definitely succeeded in combining stealth and 2D platforming.
Thief II: The Metal Age
Available on: Microsoft Windows
Thief II has taken the stealth mechanics from the first game and perfected it. The mission design is more consistent, and some of the missions are among the best in any action game to date. Its levels are amazingly created, set around grand palace and cathedrals which are filled with alcoves and blind spots. The best thing about Thief, however, is its simplicity. You don’t have x-ray vision, radars, or special abilities. All you have is your character, the ability to look around, and your blackjack.
At first, Thief II may seem too much like Thief, but on closer inspection, it's a better game. It may lack its predecessor's excellent story, and the graphics engine may be slightly dated, but no such concerns will seem relevant when you're sneaking around in Thief II's excellent environments.
Interested in more of our Videogames related content? Please check out this article for the best horror games in 2019.
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