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?
Crazy_Del
Also if I just may add. The pic of Sam holding a red gun reminds me very much of a PS Move Gun Attchment lol
Apnomis
I like stealth elements in games – it gives you more options during gameplay and makes me think a bit more strategically about situations. Generally I’m not a fan of ‘running and gunning’ in games (depending on the game of course) and I’d much rather duck behind a wall and consider my options.
I suppose it comes from the fact I generally like to take my time during games and explore the environments etc and if you run in all guns blazing you can’t necessarily do that…
Severn2j
I love stealth, but prefer it when its optional.. A lot of game that force stealth, like the early Splinter Cells made too much of it, and it became samey, but the last one was great (nice that Sam Fisher can actually fight now). Also, Crysis on the PC did stealth pretty well, sneaking through a camp with the stealth suit on, sliently killing people before disappearing back into cover was a great feeling, especially with the AI running around trying to work out where you are.. Hopefully the sequel will have a similar mechanic. Of course, Deus Ex is another good one, I expect greatness from that.
moshi
Never liked Hide & Seek as a kid and cant stand stealth modes now, even tailing a car in GTA bored me. I want action in a game not hiding behind a filing cabinet for 5 mins waiting for the security guard to have his fag break
cc_star
“I want action in a game not hiding behind a filing cabinet for 5 mins waiting for the security guard to have his fag break”
Comment of the day
moshi
Why Thank You
eirekun
The stealth games I loved the most were the Thief games, pity Thief 4 is starting to look unlikely / mythical.
solidsteven
imo the metal gear series is the king of stealth
ToastEggsBacon
Metal Gear Solid was the first steath game I played, although in terms of genuine stealth I thought it was surpassed by Splinter Cell. Now both seem to have moved to a more action orientated tone, although it is possible to still play MGS4 stealthily (if I remember correctly, there’s even an in game award for completing the game without being seen).
In terms of recent games, I think Arkham Asylum is my personal pick. Crouching on gargoyles and swinging from one roof top to another, before stringing up one of the Jokers goons or swooping down to take them out, was in my opinion one of the best uses of stealth I’ve seen for some time. I’ve tried to play other stealth and 3rd person action games since Arkham Asylum (including MGS4, which I previously adored) and I just don’t think they stack up.
eccelex
Bingo – somebody get this guy a danish.
BigD-UK-
I agree with MGS comments in the article, i loved the “slowly, slowly catchy monkey” style, timing your strikes/moves, i played the game through in 18hrs over one night i was so absorbed in it.
I love to run’n’gun (CoD series from original to MW2, BFBC2 etc etc) but i keep going back to stealth. AC and AC2 more so recently on PS3, Splinter Cell, Tenchu on PS2.
I always wanted Hitman games to be better than they were, the gameplay was always a let down though, but some of the missions were great. Most stealth is obvious but with that series you had to decide what to do and the information to do that wasn’t avliable.
I still love using weapons with all the stealthy Perks in MW2!
BigD-UK-
“silenced weapons” even…
hannes_truce
one of my fave stealth (ish) games (series) was Hitman. just utterly brilliant taking someone down, donning their clothes and hiding in plain sight.
Tuffcub
Sounds like a friday night out to me.
Shakugan
Vampire Rain: Altered Species had some stealth parts too, but really horrible game…