When it comes to memorable levels in video games, there’s no denying thatthe stealth genre provides some of the industry’s most remarkable and special experiences.
The power fantasy of being a one-man army is one of those hard-to-beat tropes, making you feel both strong and smart in the context of overcoming adversity.
Sneak past dozens of guards to steal a valuable treasure, assassinate an aristocrat in the middle of a fancy party, escape from the enemy’s outpost to rescue a comrade…
The possibilities are endless, as you may confirm with our list of the15 best stealth missions in video games.
Military District
Aragamiis a Spanish indie gem that feels like a gift to stealth fans. It doesn’t mix genres, and it doesn’t go beyond what it can achieve, thus offering simple but pristine gameplay.
Therefore, when you get to the Military District mission, you understand how well the game understands stealth basics. Lots of NPC patterns to remember, lots of entertaining ways to traverse the area, and lots of collectibles are enough to make it a great level.
As said, Aragami doesn’t go to places where it can’t do a good job, so it has a low roof. However, missions like Military District are the main reason why it’s consideredone of the most recommendable stealth games of the last decade.
14Death Stranding
Ruined Factory
Death Stranding
Hideo Kojima’s masterpieceDeath Strandingis far from a stealth game, but the Director’s Cut version of the title added the mission Ruined Factory, a touching ode toMetal Gear Solid.
For a moment,Sam Bridges becomes Solid Snake in a context that feels like anything but Death Stranding. With narrow hallways, crowded rooms full of objects, and artificial verticality, it’s a warm love letter to Kojima’s past works.
You even use the legendary tactic of the cardboard box to hide from enemies. If that’s not the absolute peak of stealth gaming, then nothing in this life can be.
13Metro: Last Light
Separation
Metro: Last Light
AlthoughMetro: Last Lightis mostly an action game, the second journey of Artyom has very capable stealth mechanics, making it one of the most enjoyable ways to traverse the metro.
In particular, the sixth chapter of the title, Separation, has the protagonist sneaking through a Nazi outpost to rescue Pavel (his companion up to that point), filling the player’s senses with intense machinery sounds, enemy conversations, and the constant feel of high stakes at play.
It’s a short objective. However, like the rest of the game, the immersion is immaculate, andtension is felt at the surface through its naturally sensitive gameplayand superb use of enemy placement and lighting.
12Deathloop
When you think of Arkane Studios, you think of great level design, more gameplay options than you may imagine, and indescribable satisfaction thanks to its fluent mechanics. And that’s just describingDeathloop.
Specifically, the last mission: Ending It. The finale of Colt Vahn’s voyage has the perfect measures of planning, execution, and stealth, all while being a masterclass in everything mentioned in the first paragraph.
The game has a natural attraction to straightforward action, leaning less toward stealth than other projects by the team, but when it does things right… Mamma Mia!
11Assassin’s Creed
Fortress Infiltration
Assassin’s Creed
WhenAssassin’s Creedfocused primarily on classic stealth, it had several great missions, as evidenced by the first game’s Fortress Infiltration.
Altaïr, with the task of assassinating William of Montferrat, infiltrates a heavily guarded fort, emphasizing his extraordinary parkour abilities and tactical takedowns of enemy guards, while simultaneously showcasing many of Acre’s incredible visuals.
It’s a complete level that excels in everything the title is known for, and it also reminds us why the first Assassin’s Creed is part of thegames worth playing just for its importance to the genre.
Hitman (2016)
IO Interactive has nurtured theHitmanfranchise wonderfully since they picked it up in 2016, coincidentally when they created one of the best levels in the entire genre: Sapienza.
The fictional coastal town in Italy is a beautifully crafted setting, hosting multiple missions throughout Agent 47’s most recent works and enhancing the core mechanics of the series.
Whether using disguises, exploiting the terrain, eavesdropping on conversations, or finding alternative routes to accomplish objectives,everything Hitman does feels better at Sapienza, where we can see the most fluent and elegant use of its great gameplay.
9Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Panamanian Bank
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Even thoughSplinter Cellhas been in the shadows for many years, it has many incredible moments, likeChaos Theory’s Panamanian Bank mission.
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Sam Fisher infiltrates a bank to unravel a guerrilla’s operation with the arms industry, steals $50,000,000 in French Governmental Bearer Bonds to make it look like a simple theft, and gets out like nothing happened. All in a day’s work for a super-sleuth like Sam Fisher.
We only have to look at the Panamanian Bank when people think of whySplinter Cell: Chaos Theoryis one of thebest stealth games ever. Entering through windows, stealing door codes, sneaking into vents, hiding in the dark.
It has all the staples of a stealth mission, all implemented incredibly well, making this an iconic mission for all gamers who stick to the shadows.
8Dishonored 2
A Crack in the Slab
Dishonored 2
With a time-traveling mechanic, A Crack in the Slab fromDishonored 2offers two juxtaposed levels that are the two sides of a coin.
On one side, a laboriously guarded mansion filled with luxury forces you to sneak and be cautious; on the other, a forgotten building plagued by beasts and anomaliesallows you to abandon stealth.
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The constant shift between realms and gameplay approaches (a technical feat in itself) makes this level incredible and bordering on fantastical.
In any case, what happens at Stilton Manor is undeniably unforgettable. You may even need sometips and tricks for beginners,as getting through it isn’t easy, though it’s definitely a divine experience.
7Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Tanker Incident
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Fortunately, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Libertyis now revered for what it is: a masterpiece. However, when it originally came out, it was strongly criticized, mainly because Raiden was the protagonist.
Yet, those who hate the game and those who love it can agree with one thing: the Tanker Incident is simply magnificent.
The return of fan favorites like Solid Snake and Revolver Ocelot, the appearance of a new Metal Gear, vastly improved mechanics and cinematics to top-notch standards, and the overall infiltration sequence were marvelous.
Sons of Liberty is not only one of thebest political games ever createdbut also one of the most revolutionary developments in the genre. The Tanker Incident is just the tip of the iceberg.
6Thief 2: The Metal Age
Life of the Party
Thief 2: The Metal Age
Often forgotten, the Thief series is a bastion of the stealth genre, andThief 2: The Metal Ageintroduced Life of a Party to remind people why it was the king of the era.
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The sheer amount of verticality, secrets, and length of the mission were nothing short of extraordinary. It executed a great concept, added depth to Thief’s universe, and became the type of reference developers would look at when thinking about how to create an excellent level.
As of today,Thief 2’sdirect and spiritual successors have probably surpassed it, but what Life of a Party did to an entire generation of stealth fans is hard to fathom.
