Elements of stealth have slowly encroached upon numerous genres since Metal Gear introduced the concept to the gaming world. More often than not, stealth being shoehorned into an action/adventure game where it is not expected (or needed) is met with a negative response from players. This is probably because stealth gameplay is very difficult to design, and entire levels need to be structured from the ground-up to accommodate this unique style of play. Think of the stealth segments in Beyond Good & Evil or the occasional one in San Andreas. Both are great action/adventure games, but I don't think anyone here would have missed the stealth sections if they were taken out. You can tell right away in those games that the core gameplay design wasn't really suited for stealth.
On the other hand you have stealth games that were designed from the beginning to focus primarily on sneaking and quietly assassinating rather than running and gunning. Series like Metal Gear, Splinter Cell, Hitman, and Thief have carried the torch for the stealth genre for the last 15 years or so, each with their own unique spin on this type of gameplay. Since all of the different stealth series have their own methodology and approaches to this singular theme, gamers often have a distinct preference for one game or series above the rest. I made this thread because I'm curious as to which brand of stealth my fellow GAFers think is best.
Just to clarify, I want to know which individual game has your favorite stealth gameplay. If you have a favorite stealth series, pick the entry that you felt had the best sneakin'.
My Vote: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
I'm sure Metal Gear will get the lion's share of votes in this thread, but I'm gonna have to tip my hat to Eidos Montreal for their exemplary stealth gameplay in Deus Ex: HR. This game really took me by surprise with its approach to stealth. While one could play through the game with guns blazing the whole way through, the level design has clearly been optimized for a stealthy approach. The way the levels give the player multiple paths around modular areas with varied and believable guard placement is something that other developers should take note of when trying to implement stealth in their games.
It'd probably be more efficient for me to just make a bulleted list of the reasons why I chose Deus Ex: HR as my favorite stealth game:
- XP Bonuses give the player added incentive to sneak
- Level design is fantastic with tons of opportunities to sneak and silently eliminate guards and/or security droids
- Guard AI and behavior is just dynamic enough to provide a challenge while still being regimented and predictable enough for the player to be able to plan an attack.
- The game gives you tons of cool weapons and gadgets with which you can silently dispatch guards (silencers, stun gun, tranq gun... etc.).
- The Augmentation system allows players to custom tailor their Adam Jensen to suit their sneaking style. Want silent footsteps and a cloaking device? How about an enhanced stealth radar UI? Everything's just a Praxis Point away.
- The game allows true stealth in that you can navigate your way through the entire game without killing a single guard. Metal Gear Solid 2 was the first to grant the player this sort of freedom, and HR carries the torch nicely.
- If you do decide end some lives, the lethal takedowns are fun and satisfying every time.
- Hacking to disable cameras and turn turrets on enemies is just plain awesome and is a perfect example of HR's hacking and stealth gameplay systems converging.
- This never gets old:
Human Revolution just knocked it out of the park for me with its stealth gameplay, but here are some honorable mentions that trail closely behind:
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
- Hitman 2
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
All three of those games make you feel like an invisible assassin while offering the player a slew of tools and approaches for every situation. I look forward to hearing everyone's favorites.
