There’s something special aboutopen worldgames, with their endless exploration and content to discover. Plus, when some of these open world games introducedstealthas a central mechanic, things became even more entertaining.
Open world stealth games are a unique approach to the world and even the genres for the games themselves. By being a marriage of key mechanics and experiences, players are in for a treat – even if the other characters can’t see them.
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In these games, players are encouraged to take things slow and steady, and the importance of not being seen is paramount. Stealth is all about being acutely aware of your surroundings, and these games feature an abundance of surroundings to make use of. That’s for sure.
Either way, players are in for a delight when they get to explore a vast and rich world but are traversing among the shadows instead.
Stealth is Survival
Let’s clarify something really quickly:Rustis asurvival gamefirst, one that will consistently wipe its servers in order to keep players all in the same struggling boat. However, if players actuallywant a chance at survival, they can’t make themselves wholly known.
Stealth is crucial in order to stay alive, as players will need to spend a significant amount oftime in the dayobserving everything and everyone around them, potentially hiding in bushes in order to keep this a reality.
They can observe fromtheir base that they have spent a significant amount of time building, especially since it’s going to need to be protected. Other players online might genuinely interfere with your survival, pouncing when you’re not looking in order to take any supplies or weapons you might be carrying with you.
It’s brutal out here, which has led to many players keeping their heads down – the same way many animals would out in the wild. It doesn’t get any easier with theConsole Edition, either, so players need to keep their noise at a minimum if they want to keep it together in the world of Rust.
9Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
The Power of Misdirection
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Deus Exis animmersive sim gamethat understands how to use stealth as a fun mechanic. Out of all the games in the series, many point toDeus Ex: Mankind Dividedas having the best stealth in the franchise.
Right off the bat, the A.I. in this game is significantly better than others in the series, with players needing to keep a careful eye on their volume and where they’re standing (or, most likely, crouching). Plus, the enemy patrols aren’t always predictable, since they can suddenly turn around without warning.
Not to mention, the remote hacking stealth is unmatched. Players are able to master the art of distraction with these hacks, or by simple instances of misdirection – such as throwing a soda can. It’s much easier to sneak up on enemies while they’re distracted, which allows players to actually stand up so theycan easily strike, taking them down without a sound.
Plus, as players continue to explore the world and all that it offers, they can run into more toys they can play with for better stealth mechanics, making multiple builds possible and all the more refreshing on repeat playthroughs. Just be sure to keep the noise down while stuffing a body into a vent, otherwise the gig is up.
8Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon
Why Bother Going Guns Ablazing?
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon (2010)
TheTom Clancygames are military titles, obviously enough, but when players take a look atGhost Recon,the last thing they expect to find out is that it’s a stealth game as well. Sometimes, running in with guns ablazing isn’t always the best tactic.
Stealth in this game is methodical, requiring players to carefully assess their situation before making a choice. Typically, this means taking out the snipers and drones first, then focusing on the ground. Players have to be thorough, basically treating their plan as if it’s scorched earth, salting the battlefield and turning the tides.
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The game rewards players for implementing stealth, too, since theyget an achievementafter taking down 12 different enemies without being caught. It’s not too difficult of a mechanic, but it does require players to be careful.
Many of theTom Clancygamesimplement stealth in a similar way, but it’s a lot more creative in the classicGhost Recon.
7Watch Dogs
Embrace the Hacking
Watch Dogs
Ubisoftseems to have a deep love for stealth in their open world games, andWatch Dogsis no exception to that. This time, though, it’s wholly modern, utilizing hacks and erasing your digital footprint in order to sneak around.
Unfortunately,Aidan Pearce is a rather monotone protagonist, but the intricacies of the stealth andthe parkourmore than make up for it, to the point where players don’t really care otherwise. Unique and fun gameplay can definitely change a game’s experience for the better, and that’s the case with the stealth system here.
It works so well that there is a theory that Aidan is a modern-day assassin, especially sincethe universes are shared, and that’s exactly how players feel navigating the open world.
It’s especially cool for the majority of us that can’t navigate technology in this way – sure, I grew up with many technological advancements and I know my way around electronics, but I definitely can’t hack a car.Watch Dogsallows players to embrace all the cool and cinematic parts of hacking, it just ends up going smoother if they don’t get caught.
A Semi-Open Stealing Simulator
The classicThiefgames are incredibly linear, playing like any other game released at this time: level by level, and that’s it. However, in the 2014 remake ofThief,the world expands and opens up much more.
It’s not a fully open world in the traditional sense, but it’s semi-open, withGarrett using the Clock Tower as his hidden home. From there, he can explore the city that surrounds the central clock tower, hiding from patrolling guards as he travels rooftops and even through open windows, using someone’s living space as a shortcut.
The only thing that prevents it from being a fully open world is the fact that some quests and assignments are closed off when players progress to the next chapter; so, that means players should explore everything (and getas much loot as possible) before moving forward.
And while they move, they can’t be seen. Thankfully, there are plenty of shadows and dark areas that Garrett is able to blend into and tools for distraction, letting him rummage through valuables without being seen or heard even once. While the original games are just as fun (if not more), there’s no open world element to enjoy at the same time.
5Far Cry 3
Stay Hidden In Grass
TheFar Cryseries is known for its immense and immersive open worlds, but the stealth inFar Cry 3remains top-notch for the series. You’d think that afirst person shooterwouldn’t have much stealth involved, but it’s actually rather layered.
First, you have to make sure you’re using the right weapon. While rifles can work long distances, they make noise – so a bow and arrow ends up becoming your best friend. As morbid as it sounds, each kill with the bow after hiding in the grass for a while is genuinely rewarding for players.
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Not to mention, the takedowns are just outright brutal, and you unlock more types of them as you level up and get better with your stealth. Players don’t have to be hiding from enemies, either, because the hunting requires just as much precision – and since it’s the foundation for the game’sunique crafting system, stealth is a good area to prioritize.
EvenFar Cryfans who have preferences to other entries in the series still praise the stealth and open world inFar Cry 3,embracing the chaos their actions bring.
4Batman: Arkham City
You Are the Night
Batman Arkham City
Honestly, ifBatmanwasn’t stealthy, he simply wouldn’t be Batman – so, of course, stealth is effortlessly incorporated into theArkhamTrilogy. That being said,Arkham Cityremains the best in the trilogy with its use of stealth, and with an excellently-built open world to follow suit.
This is acomic book gamethat genuinely makes you feel likea superhero, but it’s in perhaps the darkest and grittiest world in the series. It’s an impeccable balance of mood and mechanics, with the world being rich and vibrantly hostile, and the stealth making you embrace the role of the shadows … and the night itself.
Instead of the inmates being stuck inArkham Asylum, one of the mostnotorious gaming prisonsin history, they’re allowed to roam free on a sectioned-off, lawless land – and you end up being trapped in this city with them. However, since you’re literally Batman, the reality is everyone is actually trapped with you.
Going through theRogues Galleryin their own territories rather than confinement of a traditional prison is fun and invigorating, and it won’t be too long after you show up until the henchmen end up fleeing in terror.
3Assassin’s Creed (Series)
The Standard for Open World Stealth
Assassin’s Creed III
Perhaps the most infamous of open world stealth titles, theAssassin’s Creedgames are more or less the foundation of the genre. Being both open world and stealth games from the very beginning,every sequel sincehas been new and unique in ways to revitalize gameplay mixed with historical boundaries and cultural differences.
There are many games in the series that take place all around the world, and honestly, the overarching plot ends up becominga bit complex to really matter– so players end up only paying attention to the assassin’s story (which is why they’re here anyway).
The great thing about these games is that everyone seems to have their own personal favorites for all kinds of reasons – and while there are some recurring answers (Assassin’s Creed II,for example), everyone’s answer is distinct. It just gives players all the more reasons to try them all and see which one they like best.
As far as my personal favorite in the series?Assassin’s Creed III,easy.
2Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Stealth Built the Franchise
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
It’s honestly wild thatHideo Kojima almost dippedbefore he could finishMetal Gear Solid,because stealth games as we know it probably wouldn’t even exist without him. Of course, this also includes the only open world game in the franchise,Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
Stealth was poured into the series' very foundation, so it’s no surprise that it would be just as fun in this game (even if the A.I. can be a bit silly at times, but not often enough to matter).
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Not to mention, the open world in this game is massive,mind-bogglingly so, to the point where players will practically be lost in the exploration. Thankfully,the fast travel systemmakes things easier, but it’s definitely still a beast of a map to manage.
Either way,Metal Gear Solid Vis everything that players expected fromHideo Kojima’sprevious installments, and it makes us all the more excited to see how stealth will be revitalized once again inMetal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.
1Ghost of Tsushima
Shed Your Samurai Armor
Ghost of Tsushima
The island of Tsushima is broken.
The land has been torn apart by Mongol invaders, slaughtering every single samurai they’ve encountered and capturing the Jito while everyday people live in fear and starvation. It seems like there’s no way to turn things around – until a samurai returns from the dead, born again as theGhost of Tsushima.
Sure, the Ghost is metaphorical, but most of the commoners don’t know that, especially with how you end up fighting in this game. Of course, you’re able to go in with fun samurai combat, but stealth is not just encouraged, but prioritized, so that ends up being the main avenue of gameplay here. By the end of the encounter, everyone thinks you’re worse than a ghost – that you’re a demon.
Ghost of Tsushimaremains unmatched with itsbreathtakingly stunning open world; with an immensely moving story, incredible acting (especially if played in Japanese), and even asatisfying loot system, it’s everything stealth players crave.
I’m just saying, I’m so excited that I’m still foaming at the mouth thinking aboutGhost of Yoteiso I can jump into the wonderful, open world stealth of this series.
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