The Best Games Like Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear Solid set the bar for stealth and espionage spy games. It gave gamers an alternative action game that requires thought and patience instead of running and gunning. Other than Goldeneye 007 and Tenchu: Stealth Assassin, it had very few rivals in the sub-genre. Over the decades, the Metal Gear series has had four more sequels and several spin-off entries, expanding its unique universe.

RELATED: Stealth Games That Predate Metal Gear Solid

In addition to the long-awaited sequels, several other games in the stealth genre have become classics in their own right, influencing the more recent MGS titles. While Metal Gear Solid’s science fiction-based world stands very much alone, several titles across genres are worthy of a Metal Gear Solid fan's time and attention.

Updated December 11, 2023, by Michael Llewellyn: The Metal Gear franchise helped popularize the stealth genre as a thinking person's alternative to the action-adventure. While there is usually no shortage of action if things take an unfortunate turn, patience and timing are rewarded in the genre. The Metal Gear series offers a balance of stealth and action that fans love. This list is updated to include more games like Metal Gear Solid that fans should play and their specifications.

1 Undetected

A Classically Styled Love Letter To Old-School Metal Gear Titles

• Released: 2022
• Developer: Digerati
• Platform: PC

Undetected is a stealth game that wears its Metal Gear influences on its sleeve. It unapologetically mimics the gameplay from the PS1 classic Metal Gear Solid, and even though it is old school to fault, fans of the classics will want this title in their playlist.

It mimics the classic and almost Pac-Man-style top-down mazes as the protagonist must avoid getting caught by enemies. Players must use non-lethal tactics, rescue hostages, and utilize the environment to gain an advantage in Undetected.

2 UnMetal

A Comedic Stealth Title Inspired The 16-Bit Era Metal Gear Games

• Released: 2021
• Developer: @Unepic_Fran
• Platform: PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One

UnMetal is a 2D top-down throwback to the stealth genre that fans of the classic 80s and early 90s era Metal Gear will love and enjoy. It takes a comedic approach to storytelling with its tongue firmly in its cheek. Unlike Metal Gear, which pays homage to action movies, UnMetal is a spoof action comedy game with a sense of humor similar to the Airplane and Naked Gun movies.

As the protagonist, Jesse Fox, players must escape a military prison using stealth, weapons, and gadgets. In addition to being a parody, UnMetal includes modern mechanics in stealth games, such as hiding bodies and an RPG system that will improve Jesse's abilities in battle.

3 Signalis

A Retro-Inspired Horror Game With MGS-Like Mechanics

Signalis is a different title from the rest of the games on this list, as it is a survival horror game. Resident Evil and Silent Hill are an influence, but the top-down view and exploration also hark back to Metal Gear Solid on the PS1.

The Retrotech sci-fi future and classic feel make it a good fit for fans of Metal Gear's science fiction world and bizarre characters. 90s survival horror is the primary inspiration for Signalis, but the stealth, puzzle solving, and even the radio conversations feel drawn from Metal Gear Solid.

4 Shadow Tactics: Blades of The Shogun

A Samurai Stealth Game In The Style Of Commandos

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is a top-down tactical stealth game inspired by the Commandos series. Stealth fans looking for something more challenging with a mission structure that requires precise planning and multiple ways to achieve goals should consider Shadow Tactics.

Instead of controlling one character, the player utilizes ninjas and samurai to get the job done. It is set in Feudal Japan, and the team must discover and defeat a mysterious warlord. Espionage, assassinations, and ambushes are vital in Shadow Tactics, making it an easy recommendation for Metal Gear fans.

5 Horizon Forbidden West

A Beautiful Open-World Adventure With Excellent Stealth Mechanics

Horizon Forbidden West is one of the best-looking games on the PS5, and the world and environment also allow for some excellent stealth opportunities. Fans of the open world in Metal Gear Solid 5 will enjoy taking down human enemies using all the tools at Aloy's disposal. She can use long grass to hide and then use her bow to clear out a camp of enemies with stealth.

Moreover, Aloy can set traps for her enemies and the machines she encounters. The giant robots will appeal to fans of Metal Gear's science fiction story with its mechs and anime-style storyline. The world-building and story are always intriguing, and players will enjoy uncovering the secrets of the past,

6 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

An Excellent Action Game Starring MGS2's Raiden

Gameplaywise, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is a different experience from the mainline series. It was developed by PlatinumGames, a studio known for its action-adventure games like Bayonetta and Transformers: Devastation.

The combat and swordplay are among the best in the genre. It has epic boss fights and continues the story of Raiden, the blonde-haired protagonist from Metal Gear Solid 2. Raiden is a cyborg ninja in Metal Gear Rising, which helped him find redemption in the eyes of fans initially disappointed by the switch in protagonists in Metal Gear Solid 2.

7 Sniper Elite 5

A Second World War Stealth Game That Will Satisfy Fans Of MGS 5

Sniper Elite 5 is a game that fans of the open-world design in Metal Gear Solid will enjoy. Players can tackle missions and take out targets in ways that suit their playing style. The openness of the environments offers players multiple ways to take down targets. However, the tension gets ramped up as one mistake can be costly and will find the protagonist, Karl Fairburne, flanked and surrounded by enemies.

These moments force the player to think on the fly and either fight to survive or make a run for it, hide, and find a new strategy and approach. The game takes a Hitman-like approach to its level design, with multiple ways to complete a stage. Similarly, players can unlock new equipment and starting points to replay the missions with different outcomes and tactics.

8 Death Stranding

A Unique Adventure Game That Only Kojima Could Produce

First launched in 2019, Death Stranding is a polarizing open-world adventure game from Hideo Kojima. Fan opinion appears divided by those who loved or hated the game. However, for fans of Kojima's unique storytelling and strange characters, Death Stranding is a perfect fit.

It is heavy on stealth, but the Director's Cut version, launched in 2021, features stealth elements and a definite throwback to the Snake's adventures. Death Stranding is a strange game, but the stunning visuals, presentation, and characters will appeal to Metal Gear fans.

9 Commandos 2: Men of Courage

A Top-Down Strategy Stealth Game That Will Appeal To Fans Of Classic Metal Gear Games

First launched in 2001, Commandos 2: Men of Courage is still regarded as one of the best tactical stealth games ever. The World War 2 setting in Commandos is still iconic, and the top-down view allows players to carefully plan their strategies when infiltrating a base with a team of elite commandos.

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Commandos 2 was remastered in HD in 2020, which makes this the most accessible and attractive version yet. Additionally, the gameplay has influenced modern tactical stealth games, like Desperados 3 and Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun.

10 Alpha Protocol

An Espionage RPG Where Choice Matters

Obsidian Entertainment's bold attempt at creating a spy-based RPG with stealth elements is an ambitious project that did not quite reach its potential, thanks to a troubled development phase under the Sega banner.

Still, Alpha Protocol deserves a place on this list as despite it not being as polished as it should be, it is still a solid 15-20 hour adventure - with replay value - worth undertaking if Metal Gear fans can look past the flaws. As Michael Thornton, players can choose to be more sophisticated, like James Bond, or handy with their fists, like Jason Bourne. It features pulp-like characters with a sense of humor that would not feel out of place in a Metal Gear Solid game.