Most of the time stealth is just one of several ways you can navigate a game, as you consciously opt for the path of the shadowy rogue or incisive assassin over more forceful approaches. However, there are games where stealth is one of the core mechanic. In this article, Gurugamer is going to showcase the top 5 best stealth games to play in 2023
1. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
Shadow Tactics harkens back to the glorious days of realtime tactical strategy games like Commandos. Instead of gathering supplies to build forces, the genre had you control a small set of heroes. As you use a combination of stealth, clever timing and frequent use for F5/F8 to make your way across the map filled with enemies to complete various objectives. Being outnumbered by a 100 to 1 at times, players had to use the map, the heroes and create a synergy among them to even the odds.
The game takes place during the Feudal times in Japan. You control a group of heroes with different motives, come together for a common goal. The plot does an okay job to keep things going forward with a predictable twist in the end.
The game introduces you to the basic controls and key abilities of the heroes with time. However, that is not enough for the players to complete the missions. Once the players understand the abilities, the map and start to combine them in clever ways, this is when the game really opens up. The game has pretty straight forward abilities, however as you play on you will learn clever ways to make use of those abilities for some really fantastic combos. There is also a tactical mode called Shadowmode which let you queue up 1 command per hero at a time and execute it instantly with a press of a button - this can open up to a lot of tactical opportunities when you have a very slim opening to do a number of things. You cannot queue up more than one action at a time which might be sad news for some. According to the developer the reason behind this is so the players play the game more in real-time as opposed to simply queue up every few steps along the way.
2. Hitman 3
HITMAN: World of Assassination is the ultimate sandbox in the HITMAN universe. Originally the third chapter of the last HITMAN trilogy, the game has been renamed in this latest update and brings a brand new roguelike game mode. This game is different from the old games (Blood money, absolution...) this game offers a simpler story than the old ones that you will have to complete in a much more free way. This game is more mainly based on the replayability and its sandbox side.
When you purchase this game from now on, you get access to 21 maps that are hugely replayable. The more challenges you complete on these maps, the more new items you will get and the more new ways to start your contract. This is only the main mode, you have many other arcade modes, offering variations of the original maps with new targets and new challenges.
In conclusion, this game is the ultimate hitman sandbox, infinite replayability, many unlockable items, a large amount of different modes and a 21 mission story if you just want a single player story game.
3. Mark of the Ninja
Mark of the Ninja is an aesthetically pleasing, 2-D, stealth-based, side-scrolling platformer...a.k.a. a masterpiece. For those of you who want a brief overview without looking at it in the steam store, think of it as combining the best qualities of Thief, Dishonored, and Assassin's Creed and giving it all to you in a different, albeit wonderful, 2-D perspective.
To give you a sense of the story itself, you play as a ninja (no way, right?) who accepts the "First Mark," a tattoo which imbues mystical powers to the one who accepts it upon their body. While this seems like a fantastic benefit, accepting the mark means sacrificing yourself in the future because the ink is said to drive people to insanity (e.g., hallucinations). Your purpose-without spoilers-is to avenge your clan that was recently attacked by an evil arms corporation by utilizing your newly-acquired powers. As the story progresses, you receive more marks, more abilities, and more means to uncover the irreconcilable truth about your role, your clan itself, and those of power who essentially mean to save and/or destroy it.
4. Dishonored 2
Dishonored 2 is an exceptional game that builds upon the success of its predecessor. As a fan of the stealth genre, I found the game to be both thrilling and challenging. The game is set in a beautifully crafted world that is filled with detail, from the sprawling city of Karnaca to the hidden secrets lurking in every corner. The level design is remarkable and varied, allowing for a range of gameplay styles and approaches.
One of the strengths of Dishonored 2 is the choice it gives to players in terms of gameplay style. As with the first game, players can choose to play as either a ruthless assassin or a more stealthy and non-lethal approach. This flexibility ensures that the game is suitable for both aggressive players who want to engage in combat, as well as more strategic and patient players who prefer to remain unseen.
5. Invisible, Inc.
"Invisible, Inc." is a one-of-a-kind and an instant classic. As a turn-based strategy stealth game, it requires a high level of planning and strategy to succeed. This is compounded by the "roguelike" aspect of the game, meaning that you are not allowed to reload a previous save if you screw up. Depending on the difficulty level you choose, you may either have the ability to retry the level, use a limited number of "rewinds" which bring you back to the beginning of the previous turn, or, on "ironman mode," have no safety net at all, meaning if you lose your team it is time to start a new game.
This unforgiving style is compounded by the seemingly unfairness of the fight. You are outnumbered and outgunned, infiltrating unknown enemy territory (levels are randomly generated), and you must rely on your stealth and cunning to make it through. Still, there are a number of tools at your disposal: distraction techniques, lethal and non-lethal attacks, a wide variety of powers and gadgets that range from traps to cloaking devices, and a hacking system that targets the various devices found in the level allowing you to access, disable, or remotely command them.
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