I’ve recently played through Splinter Cell: Conviction and I must say it was fantastic. Whilst it did feel significantly more action based than earlier titles in the series, there were certainly some very nice stealth mechanics featured. When you couple that with the recent information about Blood Stone and my essentially constant state of Batman contemplation; a discussion of stealth seems the only option.
So let’s talk about stealth, albeit in a slightly hushed tone. Perhaps the classic stealth game in my gaming past is the first Metal Gear Solid. I loved the feeling of sneaking through the various areas of Shadow Moses and ocassionally fighting your way out of a tight corner. I remember my younger self being fairly amazed as I crawled forwards on my stomach, desperately attempting to avoid making a sound. Hiding round corners and avoiding the gaze of the all pervasive security cameras was fairly thrilling in a time when I was used to playing platformers.
So strong is my memory of stealth in the first Metal Gear Solid (and in the second to some extent) that the seemingly action based nature of the fourth title in the series has actually put me off it some extent. I’d much rather be crawling through a ventilation duct than crossing a battlefield if I’m playing Metal Gear Solid.
There are other fairly traditional stealth games I could mention, in particular Splinter Cell as it’s now overtaken Metal Gear Solid as my favourite spy series, but I think that Assassin’s Creed deserves a mention. The ‘hiding in plain sight’ stealth mechanics featured in the series give me the same feeling as when I played the first Metal Gear Solid, that excitement of playing something that feels new and fresh.
Finally a quick word on how poor stealth can be. I’ve certainly mentioned this before, but one of the things that I hated in Halo 3: ODST was the use of stealth. There were certainly points in the game where you couldn’t easily fight you way through and seemed to be expected to sneak around the enemies without starting a fire fight. Sadly all you had in the way of stealth was the ability to crouch, no clinging to walls of climbing onto ledges to try and avoid the Covenant presence. It was one of the things I disliked most about the title, and showed just how the term stealth can be misused.
What are your thoughts on stealth mechanics? Do you like sneaking your way through a game, or do you prefer to just run and gun? Is a mix of the two your preference? On top of that what games do it well and what games fall down when it comes to stealth?
eccelex
I like the methodical approach when presented with a room full of armed baddies, so stealth in games is a winner for me. It’s definitely not something to try and crowbar in, though. There’s nothing worse than when stealth is included as an afterthought.
Arkham Asylum nails it. The building fear and apprehension of goons as an unknown terror picks off their squad mates and the range of ways to deal with said goons, built on spotless camera work and absurdly simple controls puts Arkham Asylum among the best stealth experiences for my money.
justboy
i LOVE stealth games, its strangely satisfying dispatching foes one by one without alerting other enemies!
Loxstokk
Although it was very much touted as a ‘running ‘n gunning’ action adventue, some of my most recent enjoyable stealth gameplsy came from uncharted 2. The fluidity to the melee controls and variation in types of take down were s breath of fresh air and very satisfying to use. I tried to play the game like that when ever I could. My only complaint would be that there wasn’t enough of it, sometimes the game forced you to play the ‘gung ho hero’. I’d like to see mire stealth in the next uncharted, and maybe some options in the style of play a la deus ex. Some of the more open back tracking style environments were great for stealth play. Yanking soldiers off ledges never got old!
Loxstokk
I’d also like to add that although I love msg, after playing uncharted 2 it felt somewhat clumsy to play. Would be nice for kojima to take some cues from from UC2 in future games.
Apologies for my thick fingered typing, I’m doing this on a certain fruit based phone
beeje13
I like being stealthy in non-stealth orientated games
Quinlank
“So strong is my memory of stealth in the first Metal Gear Solid (and in the second to some extent) that the seemingly action based nature of the fourth title in the series has actually put me off it some extent. I’d much rather be crawling through a ventilation duct than crossing a battlefield if I’m playing Metal Gear Solid.”
All the battlefield sections in MGS4 offered a purely stealth based solution for getting through as I recall. It was just always easier to just shoot your way through the game, but the stealth options in that game were still pretty extensive.
BlackWidowShirt
When it comes to stealth, nothing can hold a candle to Manhunt, especially the boss near the end. still gives me the shivers when I think about it now!
Foxhound_Solid
How did i forget MANHUNT.
Great games, all of them.
BlackWidowShirt
and I loved the ghillie-suit mission from cod4
SpikeyMikey23
thats the best level of any game ive ever played, even better that the train in uncharted 2.
zb100
it seems to work well in alpha protocol
Lyts1985
I was wondering if anyone would mention Manhunt… Easily one of my favourite stealth games alongside Arkham Asylum.
Both games use stealth really effectively