What sneaking games do you know of?

[Niale]

I am very fond of them
- Sneak behind enemies
- Disguise
- Not getting caught
etc.

[Pete for President]

Tenchu 1/2/3 (awesome ninja stealth)
Deus Ex (HR)
Metal Gear Solid series

I like my stealth games.

[Mahad]

There is only one sneaking game(s) I know well, Assassin's Creed; it's not the whole point, but it's a big point.

[I Took the Red Pill]

Everyone who likes stealth games should play Mark of the Ninja. Probably the best game I played in 2013 (though that's not a very long list). Plenty of sneaking, action if you want it, cool kill animations, and tons of awesome ninja gadgets. Picked it up on a whim and could not stop playing it.

[Skyblade]

Everyone who likes stealth games should play Mark of the Ninja. Probably the best game I played in 2013 (though that's not a very long list). Plenty of sneaking, action if you want it, cool kill animations, and tons of awesome ninja gadgets. Picked it up on a whim and could not stop playing it.

I'm glad someone mentioned this. Easily the best stealth game to come out in years.

[Dr Unne]

Everyone who likes stealth games should play Mark of the Ninja. Probably the best game I played in 2013 (though that's not a very long list). Plenty of sneaking, action if you want it, cool kill animations, and tons of awesome ninja gadgets. Picked it up on a whim and could not stop playing it.

I'm glad someone mentioned this. Easily the best stealth game to come out in years.

For sure. I generally hate stealth games, and I loved Mark of the Ninja. Every stealth game should emulate it. It had a clear UI representation of fundamental game mechanics like "how close to an enemy can I get without alerting him?". I liked that combat was optional. The platforming was fun. All-around great game.

[Madonna]

Looks like you guys missed some good ones:
Gunpoint
Monaco
The Art of Theft

[Pike]

Deus Ex - I think the original does sneaking a little better than Human Revolution but both are good.

[Rostum]

Thief series!

[Pete for President]

And how could we forget the Hitman series?

[Jiro]

Splinter Cell games are alright sometimes too!

[Flying Mullet]

I've played a "sneaker" in Oblivion and Skyrim.

[Vyk]

Stealth Bastard is a pretty amusing little stealth game. There's a deluxe version on Steam and Desura and stuff. But there's also a free version that's not a lot different if anyone wants to taste test. Gunpoint and Mark of the Ninja were the only other games I was going to mention, but they've already gotten some love

[Madonna]

So I am going to quote this whole thread and actually respond to posts instead of telling you guys to check out Gunpoint, Monaco, and The Art of Theft (though you should).

Tenchu 1/2/3 (awesome ninja stealth)
Deus Ex (HR)
Metal Gear Solid series

I like my stealth games.

I really enjoyed the early Tenchu series to a fault. Man, they were so horrifically ugly, and the voice acting horrid, but there was a solid engine in the game, mechanics to make use of, and even the cheesy story was fun. I loved learning every level and becoming such a bad ass that I could rock each level with just one Poison Rice Ball.

I am entirely unfamiliar with Deus Ex. I do not even know its gameplay.

Metal Gear Solid has always done well in terms of a grand story, a good battle system, and neat stealth mechanics. It got overwrought by the time 4 came around, and no one really liked 2. I loved Snake Eater's camo system and stealth tranq-ing everyone. God, and the battle versus The End was a really cool spin on stealth and combat.

There is only one sneaking game(s) I know well, Assassin's Creed; it's not the whole point, but it's a big point.

This thread should help point out a larger variety of stealth games out for you, so that is good. I did enjoy the whole Ezio trilogy of AC games, because a well-performed assassination brings so much pleasure, and the multiplayer aspect is even a bigger thrill.

Everyone who likes stealth games should play Mark of the Ninja. Probably the best game I played in 2013 (though that's not a very long list). Plenty of sneaking, action if you want it, cool kill animations, and tons of awesome ninja gadgets. Picked it up on a whim and could not stop playing it.

I'm glad someone mentioned this. Easily the best stealth game to come out in years.

For sure. I generally hate stealth games, and I loved Mark of the Ninja. Every stealth game should emulate it. It had a clear UI representation of fundamental game mechanics like "how close to an enemy can I get without alerting him?". I liked that combat was optional. The platforming was fun. All-around great game.

I need this game and yearn for it. My budget is (extremely) tight right now though, and it mocks me.

Stealth games that allow you to get around combat or not even about combat are great things. Actually, the three I already mentioned can be entirely stealthy if you want, while two of them allow you to brawl your way through things if that really is your style. That flexibility makes replay a worthwhile pursuit.

Deus Ex - I think the original does sneaking a little better than Human Revolution but both are good.

Again, I missed the boat on this. Sad face time.

Thief series!

And I have never played Thief! I have only heard the greatest praise here, and I admit I have a fond spot for oldies, but goodies. I must remember to put these on my Steam wishlist or something.

And how could we forget the Hitman series?

You can stealth in Hitman, I am told, but I only ever got through it by being a run-and-gunner. Perhaps it is time I re-tried.

Splinter Cell games are alright sometimes too!

I really, really hated the first Splinter Cell. When I played it, I felt it was like a poor man's Metal Gear, and that the stealth mechanic was done badly. If you were not one-hundred percent in the shadows, even if you shot that guy before he turned and looked, and you gun was silenced, they heard you, you were blown, and great, re-try. Ugh.

I've played a "sneaker" in Oblivion and Skyrim.

That is all my War Hammer-wielding, Heavy Armor-wearing Breton does; sneak and hammer. Sneak, hammer, repeat.

Stealth Bastard is a pretty amusing little stealth game. There's a deluxe version on Steam and Desura and stuff. But there's also a free version that's not a lot different if anyone wants to taste test. Gunpoint and Mark of the Ninja were the only other games I was going to mention, but they've already gotten some love

I got this, but instead of stealth, it is more of an action platformer where darkness helps, but does not really seem to lend to the idea of stealth. Maybe I need to get a few more levels in, but that is my initial impression. A well-designed game, though, and very slick.

Oh, so one game I have not played, but have been wondering about for some time is SpyParty, a game for two where one person is a spy at a party, and the second person is a sniper who wants to shoot the spy. That alone tickles my fancy.

[Skyblade]

So I am going to quote this whole thread and actually respond to posts instead of telling you guys to check out Gunpoint, Monaco, and The Art of Theft (though you should).

I haven't played Monaco (I heard it was primarily multiplayer, which is a mark against it in my book, though I intend to try it at some point). I hadn't heard of The Art of Theft, so I'll have to check that one out. Gunpoint is ok, but it is no Mark of the Ninja.

Everyone who likes stealth games should play Mark of the Ninja. Probably the best game I played in 2013 (though that's not a very long list). Plenty of sneaking, action if you want it, cool kill animations, and tons of awesome ninja gadgets. Picked it up on a whim and could not stop playing it.

I'm glad someone mentioned this. Easily the best stealth game to come out in years.

For sure. I generally hate stealth games, and I loved Mark of the Ninja. Every stealth game should emulate it. It had a clear UI representation of fundamental game mechanics like "how close to an enemy can I get without alerting him?". I liked that combat was optional. The platforming was fun. All-around great game.

I need this game and yearn for it. My budget is (extremely) tight right now though, and it mocks me.

Stealth games that allow you to get around combat or not even about combat are great things. Actually, the three I already mentioned can be entirely stealthy if you want, while two of them allow you to brawl your way through things if that really is your style. That flexibility makes replay a worthwhile pursuit.

If you're looking for flexibility, Mark of the Ninja has it. Part of your character customization is a feature called "Paths". You start with the Path of the Ninja, your default, well rounded form. You get access to one of each type of item, you have your sword for stealth kills, and you have standard ability options.

As you progress through the story and bonus objectives, however, you unlock additional Paths.

The Path of Might is the combat-focused one. You lose the ability to freeze time while using focus to aim range attacks or items, but you gain health, melee prowess, and the ability to regenerate health with stealth kills. It's designed for brawling, and it does it better than any other Path.

The Path of the Hunter ditches your Distraction item in exchange for a second Attack item, and it makes your stealth attacks work 100% of the time. Because, normally, each stealth attack has a tiny Quick Time Event (where you only have two possible options to choose from) which determines whether or not it kills things silently or noisily. One of the few games where I've actually not minded QTEs, partially because of how restricted they are (only two possible buttons), and partially because they're fair on time and not game-breaking if you fail. But perfect accuracy on them is pretty nice. And the extra Attack item is good if you like killing people with traps or blow darts from the shadows. It's built for when you want to wipe out every enemy on the map, but still do it without being seen.

The Path of Silence is where the game just gets brilliant. This path gives up your Attack item, and your sword. You can't engage in combat at all, except with environmental hazards (which some levels have quite a few of). But, in exchange, you don't make noise. Even when running or using your hookshot grapple. It turns the entire stealth system up a notch. You can't fight, at all, but you can run and jump right over people, grapple around the room like crazy, and basically just have fun as a completely unseen ghost while completing objectives (for the very few story-mandated kills, you'll get your weapon back). It totally shifts how the game is played, and is an absolute joy to play with.

The Path of Nightmares is another total game-changer. Any enemy who sees a stealth-kill, or a dead body, panics (though you lose your Distraction Item). Guaranteed. You can panic people without this Path, by dropping a dead body right in front of someone (or throwing it into their back), or using certain items. But this Path is all about the terror. Remember how Batman went around terrorizing thugs to disorient them and gain the upper hand before taking them down? He has nothing on you in this form. This form is meant for terrorizing everyone, and it works brilliantly. You learn so many different ways to use bodies to freak out guards. And then you realize that freaked out guards fire randomly whenever they find something suspicious. And guards can kill each other. There's something immensely satisfying about finding the perfect way to throw one body into a room that makes seven guards all panic and shoot each other, leaving just one survivor looking back and forth in terror before his life ends.

The Path of the Mark gives you a short-range teleport at the cost of your Distraction item. You can teleport past enemies, which is pretty nifty, but I honestly don't use it that much. I prefer walking, running, and jumping, what can I say?

The Path of Wisdom gives you the ability to knock guards out with your stealth attacks instead of killing them (though I believe they can be woken up if another guard spots them), and loses Farsight and the Focus time-freeze. The advantage here is that you can still get "leave all guards alive" while attacking everyone, and you can also play a little riskier without Farsight or Focus, and having a chance that guards might wake back up. It's fun, but only available via the DLC, so I haven't used it a lot yet.


The versatility these different options give is just huge. I've played through every level as both the Path of Nightmares and the Path of Silence, and most of the others through either the Path of the Hunter or the Path of the Ninja. Each level becomes a completely different experience with the different Paths.




The mechanics on their own are also incredible, though. In Normal Mode, you can see exactly how much noise each move makes, and you'll quickly learn that noise can be just as helpful as harmful. Breaking lights causes darkness, but it also makes guards investigate the broken glass, and that's just a basic use. When someone's guarding a door, purposely running around in a nearby vent and making noise they can hear can serve as a very effective distraction, pulling them from their post and letting you slip by. And it goes on and on. The game, just through playing it, teaches you how to use your disadvantages to your advantage. To make guards shoot each other or spring traps so you can evade them. To use distractions and the terrain to evade tight patrols. To learn exactly how far each guard can see, and exactly how high you can jump to leap over their head and land on the other side while they don't see you. Or to learn exactly how long it takes a guard to turn around when he hears something, and how much freedom of movement that delay gives you.

Then Hard mode comes around. You lose your sound indicators and gain directional sight (only see in the direction you face). Oh, and one hit kills you (so much for that extra health from Path of Might, huh?). But, by the time you beat Normal, you just know most of those things anyway, so it just adds a little more complexity to the system.

The point system is also wonderful. You get bonus points for several different types of near misses, for the various types of stealth kills, for leaving all the foes alive, for finding hidden items, for getting guards to kill each other, for panicking guards, hiding bodies, and tons of other things. The game rewards each way to play.

This is seriously one of the best stealth games I've ever played. If you are a fan of stealth games, you need to get this. You will not be disappointed. 15 bucks on Steam. Go get it (and I think it's been on at least one Steam sale).