Summary
Titles with an emphasis on action and combat are no stranger to the gaming scene, appearing as linear and on-rails shooters or sprawling,choice-based gameswith fighting to break up the narrative. One thing that seems to have fallen out of the zeitgeist in many new games, however, is stealth to break up the action. Many people see mandatory stealth sections in games where stealth is usually an optional component to be grating, but when done right, these can be great, intense sections for any title.
So, while various titles still blendstealth and actiontoday, there appears to be a downturn in action-focused titles that break up the combat for a stealth section. These games in particular, however, are allaction-oriented titles that include some fantastic stealth levels.
Dishonoredwas a watershed moment for the gaming scene, creating a stealth action title that has few equals. Players can witness how theiractions impact the worldaround them in various ways, namely how the amount of bloodshed they cause slowly creates a worse world for all.
This mission in particular requires stealthy infiltration, while that’s usually just an optional approach for players to consider inDishonored.Tracking down Corvo’s old accomplices (a feat that differs based on how much chaos is in the world) leads to a mission filled with intrigue and suspense.
This is an excellent stealth mission in the often underrated firstWatch Dogstitle.“The Future is in Blume"makes use of all the player’s technological abilities for a mission that requires subterfuge and tact over causing chaos and disarray.
While the playerdoes have weapons at their disposal, the main goal in this mission is to infiltrate the Blume building and upload a virus. While doing so, the longtime antagonist of the game is found talking to Blume executives and trying to cut a deal for the protagonist’s location.
Infiltrating Tartarus is one of the most difficult feats inThe Outer Worlds,and this is with a special holographic suit that lets players disguise themselves as guards.“Brave New World"is the culmination ofThe Outer Worlds’story and provides a satisfying end to the title as a whole.
There are variations on this quest, however,based on which routethe player has undertaken to this point. No matter what, it’s still a secretive trek through an imposing prison for its first half, forcing players to rely on stealth until the prison breaks occur and combat breaks out in full.
“All Ghillied Up"is an excellent flashback mission in the firstModern Warfaretitle, with Soviet-era brutalist esthetics that make for a fascinating departure from the normal style of this definingCall of Dutygame.
WhileCall of Dutyis a franchise known for itscombat and gun touting, this level puts a far greater emphasis on stealth and subterfuge, forcing players to adopt a different mindset if they want to get through the mission.
Praised on releasefor its diverse approaches to Spider-Man both thematically and mechanically, this title is a fantastic look at theSpider-Manmultiverse years before such a concept would become popular at the cinemas.
The Spider-Noir sections ofSpider-Man: Shattered Dimensionsare heavily reliant on stealth in the same vein as theBatman: Arkhamgames, relying on cunning and raw power both in order to get the upper hand on the ever-watchful enemies populating the area.
Most of the timewith superherotitles, the player is the strongest person in the room. What’s refreshing aboutthe MJ sections inMarvel’s Spider-Man2is how this has been flipped on its head. MJ has a single stun pistol between her and a violent end, with plenty of goons standing in her way.
She cannot rely on any incredible powers, so she needs to rely on her wits and — importantly — stealth to get through these missions. They’re an incredibly tense and engaging change of pace from typical Spider-Man gameplay.
Whenever players have to take control of Trevor for a mission inGrand Theft Auto 5, they know that something ridiculous is about to happen. Hating to disappoint, the incredibly memorable and hilarious"Friends Reunited"mission has Trevor going on a stealthy explosives spree.
Trevor needs to plant a handful of sticky bombs around a trailer park currently being patrolled by the Lost, a gang that has it out for him. This mission has some very tense stealth sections as well as some classic Trevor dialogue, and it culminates in the expected explosiveness that Trevor typically brings to the story.
The Mr. Freeze boss fightis easily one of thebest in theArkamverseseries,a stealth mission that forces players to change their tactics against an ever-adaptable enemy. Mr. Freeze can often be fooled by a tactic once, but he then becomes impervious to it on subsequent tries, forcing players to make use of every tool in Batman’s extensive toolbelt.
This is what all stealth missions should aspire to be; an excellent, engaging, and incredibly tense battle not of direct might, but of wits and subterfuge. Only players who can master the stealth systems ofArkham Citywill defeat Mr. Freeze.
