Stealth games are not some of the most readily available modern-day titles, as the genre has kind of died down over the years. They require a little more thinking than thetypical FPS game, as trying to take on situations without putting much thought will — a lot of the time — get players overran and killed. Stealth games are like giant puzzles that concern themselves with figuring out how to navigate around or quietly kill enemies.
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Some of the games that will be mentioned allow players to take on a more hands-on approach to combat, but, for the most part, these games rely mainly on players figuring out intricate ways to deal with their opponents.
Updated by Stefania Ikeda-Stavridi on the July 05, 2025:We have updated our list to include five more games for fans of the stealth genre: Mark of the Ninja, Assasin’s Creed: Brotherhood, Alien: Isolation, Prey, and Thief 2. We have also updated our past entries and added more relevant information to each to deliver a stronger list overall.
15Mark Of The Ninja
Discover Your True Ninja Self
Mark of the Ninjais hailed as a classic in the stealth genre, skillfully combiningstrategicgameplay with thrillingaction. While originally releasedover a decade ago, the recentremasterededitionensures that this masterpiece is accessible to a new generation of gamers. Achieving an impressiveMetascore of 90, Mark of the Ninja has firmly secured its position among fans of the genre.
With its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, andexceptional voice acting, it truly shines. Offering aplethora of optionsfor tackling challenges, stealth remains the primary focus throughout, allowing players to approach situations in their preferred style.
Mark of the Ninja
14Alien: Isolation
Terrifying Space Survival
Alien: Isolationemerges as a standout in the survival horror genre, offering a truly immersive andterrifyingexperience set in the iconicAlienuniverse. Its stealth mechanics are finely crafted, placing players in a constant state of tension as they navigate the dark corridors of theSevastopol space station, always mindful of the relentlessXenomorphlurking in the shadows.
While stealth is paramount to survival, the game also allows for alternate approaches, empowering players toadaptto the situation as they see fit. Despite itsMetascore of 79, Alien: Isolation delivers a gripping narrative, spine-tingling atmosphere, and one ofthe best horror game protagonists. It truly immerses players in the heart-pounding terror of the Alien universe.
Alien: Isolation
13Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
A Renaissance Stealth Epic
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhoodstands out asone of the best titles of the series, thanks to its great missions and gameplay mechanics. Itsrobust stealth mechanicsallow players to approach missions with finesse and precision, blending seamlessly into the bustling streets ofRenaissance-era Romewhile stalking their prey.
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Brotherhood’sMetascore of 89underscores its excellence within the series, showcasing thefreedomit offers players; while stealth is a key aspect of the gameplay, you’re not bound by it. Whether you prefer to silently dispatch your enemies from the shadows or engage in open combat, the choice is yours.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
A Sci-Fi Thriller Exploration
Preyoffers a dynamic stealth experience, but players have thefreedomto approach challenges in their preferred style. You can unlock various abilities and skills, from stealth enhancements to combat powers, allowing for diverse gameplay strategies.
Sneak behind enemy robots to hack them or confront the head on — it’s your choice. Withmultiple difficultiesandendingsto explore, along with shocking plot twists, Prey’s immersive world deserves more than its79 Metascore. Who doesn’t love a good alien invasion game?
Take On The Role Of The Master Thief
TheThiefseries stands as a cornerstone of the stealth genre,pioneeringinnovative gameplay mechanics that have left an indelible mark on gaming history. Originallyreleased in the late 90s, the first title revolutionized stealth gameplay with its emphasis onlight and shadow mechanics, sound detection, and non-linear level design. Despite its age, Thief still holds up remarkably well to this day, showcasing its timeless appeal.
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It isThief 2: The Metal Age, the sequel to the original, that further refined and expanded upon the stealth mechanics and made its predecessor so beloved. This focus on stealth, combined with the series' immersive atmosphere and engaging storytelling, has earned each installment critical acclaim andMetascores consistently higher than 80, with the first game achieving an impressive score of 92.
Thief 2: The Metal Age
10Styx: Shards Of Darkness
Unleash The Goblin
Styx: Shards of Darknesstook the original, which was a subpar game, and made it a better stealth game. The game has many flaws, but it still gives players exactly what they would want from a stealth game. There are plenty of objects andtoolsto help players take out enemies, andStyx’s skill treeis improved upon heavily.
The game has many problems in terms of its actual combat and the way that combat takes place around the player. The game’s environments and stealth mechanics are great for those thatlove strictly stealth gamesand can put up with some hiccups here and there. All those reasons, plus some repetitive puzzles, contribute to the perhaps lower than deservedMetascore of 72. If you are new to stealth games, perhaps try another title.
Styx: Shards Of Darkness
Mastering The Art Of Stealth Heists
Volumeis a top-down game that is visually stunning and has a strong, enjoyable story about broadcasting virtualheiststo put it all together. It feels like aPac-Mangame, but instead of collecting yellow orbs, players must collect diamonds. There are alsovarious types of enemiesthat must be traversed around differently.
The gameplay is key, as players can use the surrounding environment as well as the few tools they are equipped with todistract guardsand get past them. It’s a lot simpler than many games on this list, yet it has aMetascore of 80and is filled with heist-like adrenaline.
8Batman: Arkham Asylum
Take On The Role Of The Dark Knight
Out of all thebest Batman games,Batman: Arkham Asylumfeels like it focuses onstealththe deepest as there are a lot of areas that absolutelyrequirethat gameplay mechanism. If stealth is not used, then brute force will get Batman killed. There are also parts of the game that are heavily focused oncombat, but it’s still a stealth game that’s meant to make the player feel like the real Batman.
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Players will also unlock differentgadgetsalong their journey that add to the diversity of combat and stealth mechanics the game places forward. TheMetascore of 92proves how it’s one ofthe best superhero games, even after more than a decade since its release.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
7Dishonored
Shape Your Destiny By Embracing The Shadows
Dishonoredmade a stealth game that felt heavilyinspired by the BioShockfranchise andThiefseries. Each of the levels feels like alarge mazethat needs to be stealthily traversed. The game does offer combat options, but a lot of the time, players will have to combine these with stealth elements to take out enemies.
The game allows players to complete its entiretywithout ever killing anyone. Going with an entire pacifist run adds more challenge and thought to the game. However, it’s important to note that killing more people (using stealth) causes some interesting end-game events. It’s no wonder it has achieved aMetascore of 88, when it offers so many endings and difficult choices.
Dishonored
6Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Master Of Stealth
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theoryis probablythe best Splinter Cell game in the series. It takes on a true stealth approach. This is not a game that offers the choice of stealth, but that makes the player have touse stealth or risk failingthe mission they’re on. There are many different ways for players to view the world they travel in, with night vision, infrared, and emf visions. These different modes allow for different stealth options.
This game might not be as large in scale as some other games, but it does everything right in terms of providing a nicevariety of stealth optionsfor completing them. With aMetascore of 95, it’s evident that Chaos Theory has been widely acclaimed for its excellence in the stealth genre.
