Stealth games aren't quite as popular as they once were, with games like Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell being few and far between in the modern era. However, thankfully, the stealth genre isn't entirely dead, and games like Gloomwood are still being released on popular platforms today.
6 Best Top-Down Stealth Games
The advantage of a top-down perspective is that it allows players to see a lot of their surroundings, which lends itself perfectly to stealth games.
While Steam is a widely used and highly popular platform for PC games and features a dizzying array of titles in the stealth genre, it's not the only storefront that provides stealth games; some players may prefer to use GOG (Good Old Games) to find and purchase games, as this storefront is particularly good for ports of older titles.
7 Invisible, Inc.
Stylish Tactical Turn-Based Stealth
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
- Released: 2015
- Developer(s): Klei Entertainment
- Genre: Stealth
Developed by the prolific Klei Entertainment, Invisible, Inc. Is a tremendously stylish stealth game that blends the tropes of the genre with turn-based tactics. This results in an experience that's both familiar and unique, offering a fresh take on the stealth game genre.
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Invisible, Inc. Also has a unique aesthetic and theme with its corporate espionage style, which blends perfectly with its stealth gameplay. For fans of both stealth and turn-based tactics, Invisible, Inc. Is an experience worth having.
6 Dishonored
Immersive Levels And Supernatural Abilities That Encourage Full Stealth
Dishonored
This lightweight immersive-sim allows for a variety of approaches, but Dishonored encourages stealth at every turn. It does this through punishing players for killing enemies; should players take on too violent of a playstyle, they'll be rewarded with a "bad" ending.
Supernatural abilities and immersive level design allow Dishonored to stand out among the crowd, along with a well-crafted narrative that drives the game forward. These abilities give players a diverse set of tools to pursue each objective, and every level features a variety of nooks in which players can find refuge.
5 Metal Gear Solid
An Old-School Stealth Game Pioneer
Metal Gear Solid
This old-school stealth game, originally released for the PlayStation back in the 90s, has aged tremendously well. Although its low-poly graphics and occasional rough edges may betray its age, the gameplay and overall design of Metal Gear Solid is still a masterclass worth experiencing.
For some, Metal Gear Solid's old-school visuals may be a benefit, providing a certain charm and sense of style to the screen. For existing fans of the Metal Gear Solid series, the GOG port of Metal Gear Solid is worth playing just for nostalgia, but it also provides newcomers to the franchise an easy way to access this iconic title.
4 Hitman: Blood Money
Innovative Stealth Game And A Cornerstone Of The Series
Hitman: Blood Money
- Released
- May 30, 2006
- Developer(s)
- IO Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Stealth
The Hitman games are an iconic part of the stealth genre, providing players with immersive sandboxes to sneak around in. Hitman: Blood Money carried the series for many years, keeping it relevant in the stealth game genre thanks to its impressive and often memorable level designs.
6 Best Old-School Stealth Games
The best old-school stealth games deliver tense gameplay, immersive atmospheres, and some even pioneered the most iconic action-stealth franchises.
Hitman: Blood Money may be beginning to show its age, but for fans of the series who want to experience a little nostalgia, its level design and innovations on the Hitman formula are still worth checking out. Considering its relatively low price point, Hitman: Blood Money is also a fairly low-risk title for Hitman fans who have yet to play through the older games in the series.
3 Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Iconic Stealth Title That's Synonymous With Night Vision
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
- Released
- November 18, 2002
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Platform(s)
- Xbox, PC, PS2, GameCube, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Mobile
- Genre(s)
- Stealth
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell series contains a great deal of highly polished stealth-focused titles, providing players with immersive and often strategic stealth gameplay. It could be argued that the first three titles in the series are the best, arguably peaking with Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory.
Unfortunately, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is not currently available on GOG, but fans of the platform can still access the original game. For existing fans of the series, or stealth game fans that have yet to experience its old-school design, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell is a worthwhile experience that can be tremendously fun despite its increasing age.
2 Deus Ex
A Pioneer Of Immersive-Sims And Creative Stealth
Deus Ex
- Released
- June 23, 2000
- Developer(s)
- Ion Storm
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, FPS, Stealth
Deus Ex was a pioneer of the immersive-sim genre; along with titles such as Thief and System Shock, Deus Ex helped to solidify a formula for non-linear levels and diverse sets of tools that encouraged creative problem-solving. Traditionally, immersive-sims allow players to approach encounters in a multitude of ways, and two of the player's main options are usually violence and stealth.
Deus Ex isn't a pure stealth title, as the game allows players to approach objectives in a variety of ways. However, stealth is an integral part of its gameplay and, in many cases, sneaking through levels can be a viable strategy.
1 Thief: The Dark Project
Old-School Stealth With Simulated Systems And Immersive Gameplay
Thief: The Dark Project
Innovating with deep, simulated systems for light and sound, Thief provides a truly immersive stealth experience even today. Often hailed as a cornerstone of the immersive-sim genre, Thief encourages creativity on the part of the player, primarily through the variety of arrows that players can fire from their bow.
These arrows include everything from moss arrows (that make noisy surfaces less loud) to water arrows that douse flames (allowing players to remove light sources), and even rope arrows that allow players to reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Best First-Person Stealth Games
Few FPS games provide thrilling stealth action as good as the following titles. Here's what stealthy FPS fans should try for their next game.