Stealth games can be incredibly fun when done well.
Credit: KONAMI
Stealth video games are very difficult to get right. While sneaking around, infiltrating areas and taking out people without others noticing sounds like a perfect set up for stealth games, in practise they can often be more frustrating than fun with poor AI and irritating failure systems. This becomes even more of a problem for sneak games, where all you can do is try to stay hidden and hope the AI doesn’t notice you. But despite this, there are a few games that overcome these issues and truly live up to your stealthy expectations. The best stealth games are some of the greatest games ever made, and will allow you to live out your stealthy fantasies.
Top Stealth Games
With a few exceptions, stealth games usually sit in the action adventure style genre, with the stealth sub-genre of that being its own thing. Some cross the lines into the likes of immersive sims, horror games or even stealth shooters, but they all tend to be third person action games at the core.
You’ll often be placed in large levels or even open worlds and given a number of missions to execute stealthily by infiltrating the area you need to get into and often taking out a target without anyone noticing. Of course, there is also typically the option to go loud and fight your way out as well. The best stealth games will do both of these well, or implement systems to prevent the latter without becoming annoying. And the best of the best can be found on this list, which is based on fan and critical consensus as well as longevity.
10. Invisible Inc.
Invisible Inc. from Klei Entertainment is a rare turn-based stealth game, which sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it does incredibly well. It released in 2014 and nothing quite like it has appeared since, showing just how unique this is.
You are a handler for secret agents who must infiltrate areas to find information, items, or even other agents to help bolster your chances at the all important final mission. Each turn, your agents have a set amount of actions, but you also need to make sure they aren’t seen where they shouldn’t be. The turn based nature means you need to plan well ahead and with agents gone forever if they die you need to be careful. This is one for strategy fans and those who want a slower paced steal experience that takes a lot of thought to be good at. It’s on PC, PS4, iOS and Switch.
9. Mark of the Ninja
Another game from Klei Entertainment, who are stealth specialists, Mark of the Ninja is the best 2-D stealth game you will find. It’s a platformer that is all about remaining stealthy, which is such a simple concept that it’s amazing more games like this don’t exist. But since launching in 2012, nothing has topped it.
You platform across perfectly crafted 2-D levels that have areas of light and dark. In the former you can be seen by enemies, while in the latter you can get up close and personal to take them out without alerting anyone else. It becomes as much of a puzzle game as a platformer at times, but it works incredibly well with some fantastic pacing. It’s one for those who want a simple but fun stealth experience or who prefer 2-D games. It’s on PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch.
8. Thief 2: The Metal Age
Initially released in 2000, Thief 2 is considered by many to be the greatest stealth game ever made, but 24 years later it doesn’t quite hold up as well as one might hope. Developed by Looking Glass Studios, it’s the game that defined the genre and set many of the standards still used today.
You play a thief and are dropped into massive levels that have multiple ways of going about them. You’ll need to sneak around, avoiding detection, and eventually steal whatever your target is. If you’ve played a modern 3-D stealth game, then you’ll know what to expect, as most of them took the same formula and iterated on it. These days it’s a bit janky, but it’s worth playing if you want to see the origins of the genre or have fond memories. It’s on PC and not that difficult to get running on modern hardware.
7. A Plague Tale: Innocence
There aren’t many games set in 14th century France during the Hundred Years’ War, but one of them is one of the best narrative stealth games ever, and its sequel is just as good as well. Developed by Asobo Studio and released in 2019 it features one of the best stories you’ll find in games.
15-year-old Amicia de Rune escapes from troops along with her 5-year-old brother, who is ill. She’s trying to take him to a doctor, but if they are captured, they are killed on the spot, and there’s a ton of rats running around spreading the plague, so it’s not a great place to be. You guide the pair as they escape, avoiding detection and remaining stealthy throughout as the narrative unfolds. The story is obviously more nuanced, but you want to go in as blind as possible to get the best experience. It’s one for fans of a good story, or those who find the setting interesting, and it’s on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Switch.
6. Dishonored
Dishonored is a rare first person stealth game, but also one that you can play as more of an action game should you wish. Released in 2012 from the now legendary Arkane Studios, Dishonored is a game that puts you in exciting situations with a ton of toys and lets you have some fun.
Set in a steampunk style plague-ridden world, you play a bodyguard who has been framed for the murder of an empress, and start on a quest to get revenge on those who framed you, but the story is secondary to actually playing. You can run around stabbing people in plain sight, use your magic to outmaneuver them, or, as is perhaps the best way to play, stealthy move around and take enemies out silently. It really is a big stealthy playground to have fun it, and it can be incredibly satisfying. If you want a fun stealthy sandbox with a decent enough story, this is the one for you, and it’s on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
5. Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Sure, the Assassin’s Creed games may not really be true stealth games these days, usually taking on more of a traditional action adventure style, but you can be sneaky if you want, and being an assassin is usually all about stealth, so it’s included in the list.
The most recent game is Mirage, a game that took the series back to its roots and is much smaller than the massive RPG like games that came before it. Set in 9th-century Baghdad, it focused more on the traditional stealth and parkour gameplay of the early games, making it a solid choice for this list as arguably the best stealth game in the series. It was developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux, being the studio’s first full game, and was a highlight of 2023’s release calendar. Fans of the series will love this, and if you want a historical stealth game, this is your best option. It’s on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and even iOS.
4. HITMAN World of Assassination
If you want a sandbox game where you are given a ton of fun toys and gadgets and a target to assassinate how you see fit, this is literally the perfect game. After years of refining the formula across three Hitman games, IO Interactive bundled all the best bits into one package, and this is it.
This collection is technically Hitman 3, but was rebranded in 2023 to add content from the previous games, making it the definitive Hitman experience and everything you could want from a modern day stealth game. You are given a target and dropped into massive—and stunning—levels, free to complete the mission in any way you can. Every single scenario has multiple ways of pulling it off, and a lot of the time you are only limited by your imagination, with options from long range snipers to up close and personal piano wire and of course, some rubber ducks. This collection or the base Hitman 3 game is on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Switch.
3. Alien: Isolation
When a massive alien has you trapped on a spaceship then being stealthy is probably a good idea, and it’s also probably terrifying, which Alien Isolation conveys perfectly. The stealth horror game from Creative Assembly that launched in 2014 is the greatest stealth horror game ever made, and one you’ll remember forever.
The game is pretty simple, you are stuck on a spaceship, searching for info on what happened to your mother, Ellen Ripley from the film, but there’s also a giant alien stalking you who will destroy you if it finds you. You’ll need to sneak around the station, avoiding the surprisingly smart alien and hiding wherever you can when it gets close. There’s nothing quite like hiding in a locker as the alien searches for you just inches away from your face. Horror fans or fans of the franchise will love this, but it’s one everyone can enjoy if you have the composure for it. It’s on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, Android and iOS.
2. Dishonored 2
Sometimes sequels fail to live up to the original, but Dishonored 2 takes what was great from the first game, gives you more toys to play with and doesn’t mess with the formula. So in many ways it’s the perfect version of the original idea.
Released in 2016 and developed by Arkane Lyon, the game allows you to play as original protagonist Corvo or a new character, and they each have their own abilities and styles. You are on a quest to reclaim the throne after the first game, but the format is largely the same. Make it through areas either taking down enemies in front of you or going all stealthy and sneak past them. With more abilities and ways of completing each area, it’s a much bigger game and has improved stealth options with smarter AI. Fans of the first game, or those who want a steampunk stealth adventure will love this, and it’s on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
1. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
When it comes to stealth games, there is no better franchise than Metal Gear Solid, and the fifth main series game is by far the best in the modern day. It’s an RPG style epic that is all about stealth, and redefined the genre when it launched in 2015.
Developed by Konami with Hideo Kojima at the helm as director, Metal Gear Solid 5 is a third person stealth shooter that features a massive open world that you need to sneak around. The stealth mechanics are simple, don’t get seen and there isn’t a problem, but with tons of options for each scenario and some very fun gadgets including one that lets you airlift enemies on a giant balloon, it has near infinite replayability. The story is hit-and-miss, but it’s just so fun to run around and be in the world that this is easily the best stealth game available today. It’s on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC and is a must-play for all stealth fans.
Bottom Line
Sneaking around is always fun, and these games let you do just that in a variety of ways and locations. Some stealth games become more annoying than fun, but all the games on this list never end up that way, and are some very memorable experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are Good Stealth Shooter Games?
When it comes to stealth shooters, the clear winner is Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. With an epic open world, lots of ways to create chaos and some surprisingly solid shooting mechanics for a stealth game, it really is the best choice by far.
But if you want a game that is all about taking down enemies, but all stealthy, then HITMAN World of Assassination is another great option with a big arsenal of weapons that you can use in a variety of ways. It’s not strictly a shooter, but its gun play is fun enough in a stealth setting to be a solid option for shooter fans.
What Are Good Stealth Games On Playstation?
The PlayStation consoles have great back catalogues of stealth games, with the Metal Gear Solid franchise leading the way and intrinsically tied to Sony’s machines. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is the best of the bunch, but any of the old MGS games that are available on modern hardware are worth a look.
In fact, all but one of the games on this list are on PlayStation consoles, so any of them will serve you well depending on what you are looking for. The Dishonored games give you the option of action alongside stealth, while Alien: Isolation will scare your pants off if that is your kind of vibe.
What Are Good Stealth Games On PC?
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is the best stealth game available right now, and it’s on PC, making it the best option for PC players. With its impressive visuals, it’s perhaps best on the PC, and looks stunning with a powerful rig.
Other options include every game on this list and many more, with PC having more stealth games than any other platform, so there really is something for everyone. Every game on this list will give you a great time, so give them a go and become a master of stealth.
