10 of the Best Stealth Games in Console Gaming History |

10 of the Best Stealth Games in Console Gaming History

4 November 2009 View Comments

1998 saw the releases of Metal Gear Solid, Tenchu: Stealth Assassins and Thief: The Dark Project, three games which revolutionised the stealth genre, laying the foundations for all future stealth releases. Prior to 1998, we had 2D stealth games like Castle Wolfenstein and Metal Gear, which due to technical constraints, could never match up to more recent 3D titles, despite being highly imaginative.

The stealth genre has spawned relatively few releases. Slow-burning, tactical games, in which players must avoid confrontation rather than actively seeking it out, are certainly not to everyone’s taste. However, the genre can lay claim to some of the best games ever released, most notable among them those of the Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell series.

Choosing which games to include in this list wasn’t difficult, choosing in which order they deserve to appear was decidedly more tricky. But here goes!

1. Metal Gear Solid

Metal gear solid
Image: Wikimedia

When it comes to stealth games, you’re either a Metal Gear Solid or Splinter Cell fan, there’s really very little middle ground on the issue! Fans of Metal Gear Solid point to its superior gameplay, characterisation and storylines; while others argue that super-realistic graphics and tactical gameplay make Splinter Cell the greatest stealth game ever released.

For me, Metal Gear Solid is the original and still the best. Released on the PlayStation in 1998, it popularised the stealth genre, setting the standard for all stealth games to follow. Outstanding gameplay, characters and storylines combine with movie-like cut sequences to make one of, if not the best, PlayStation games of all time.

2. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell

Splinter cell
Image: Gamespot

Splinter Cell is undoubtedly the ‘stealthiest’ of all stealth games. To finish it, players must sit back, observe and plan their every forward move. While in Metal Gear Solid, players can run around shooting like loonies and get away with it, Splinter Cell demands a greater degree of patience, tactics and subtlety. The game’s graphics are sublime and every one of Sam Fisher’s body movements thoroughly realistic.

3. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Metal gear solid 3
Image: Wikimedia

Despite a decidedly dodgy title (same goes for Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake), the third game in the Metal Gear Solid series delivers on every level. Jaw-dropping cinematic sequences and an impressive musical score create a highly immersive gaming experience. With numerous possible ways of finishing the game, players want to revisit it again and again.

4. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

Tenchu
Image: Zophar’s Domain

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins was the first ever 3D game in the stealth genre and has yet to be surpassed in terms of coolness alone. Scuttling across rooftops, lurking in the shadows and slitting throats with a samurai sword, who wouldn’t enjoy this engrossing ninja epic?

5. Hitman 2: Silent Assassin

Hitman 2
Image: Indigostatic

In terms of replayability (hence value for money), Hitman 2 is best game in this list. With so many ways to complete each mission, players feel compelled to complete the game at least twice: once in stealth mode, slowly stalking targets, and once again shooting up everything in site. The game’s “suspicion” bar encourages players to take a measured approach, making the most of all the disguises and weapons on offer.

6. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

Tom clancy splinter cell
Image: Moby Games

Easily the second best title in the Splinter Cell series, Chaos Theory includes all the best features of the original game. The graphics are wonderful, body movements (making the most of “ragdoll physics” for the first time) are incredibly lifelike and the gameplay as “stealthy” as it comes.

As with other Splinter Cell games, trial and error is a key to success, meaning players are unlikely to want to revisit the game once it’s finished. Fortunately, it’s more than challenging enough to keep even the most experienced gamers engaged for a good few weeks.

7. Assassin’s Creed

Assassins creed
Image: The First Hour

Assassin’s Creed might not be true to the stealth genre in every aspect of gameplay, but it does feature plenty of stealthy elements as players eavesdrop and pickpocket their way through a medieval world, blending in amongst huge crowds of civilians in order to evade captors. If the missions weren’t so repetitive, this game would rank even higher up this list.

8. Thief: Deadly Shadows

Thief
Image: Wikimedia

Continuing in the same vein as its predecessor, Thief: The Dark Project, Deadly Shadows is a highly entertaining romp (or perhaps more of a “sneak’) through a dark, dystopian, steampunk-inspired world known as the City. The detailed, but dimly lit City provides players with plenty of shadowy enclaves in which to mug, steal and loot booty, while avoiding the gaze of the not-so-savvy guards.

9. Manhunt

Manhunt
Image: Moby Games

If carrying out horrific murders with household objects, from plastic bags to hammers and shards of glass, is your thing, then you’ll love Manhunt, a game that’s received plenty of criticism over the years for its snuff film theme. Although the game does feature various action levels (or scenes), it’s the stealthy ones that players find most absorbing, as they tiptoe through the shadows, throwing bricks and cans to distract their foes.

10. Hitman: Blood Money

Hitman blood money
Image: The First Hour

Agent 47’s 4th outing in the Hitman series stays true to the original by rewarding stealth over traditional run and gun tactics. Players must attempt to reduce their notoriety by avoiding being captured on CCTV and/or bribing the necessary NPCs. The game’s orchestral soundtrack is awe-inspiring.

Judging by the rich history of stealth games, the future of this particular genre has a lot to live up to. One thing is for sure, as console gaming technology progresses, the appeal of stealth games will only continue to grow!

About The Author

Tom is a huge gaming fan who spends far too much time on Xbox Live and his iPhone. He writes for a printer cartridges specialist based in the UK. You can read his work on their blog, CreativeCloud.