When players think of stealth, they often imagine mission-based games with limited opportunities for exploration. However, this notion has been proven wrong in recent years, as numerous open-world titles have incorporated stealth gameplay.
Since then, the number of open-world stealth games has continued to increase, leaving players questioning which titles are truly the best for those seeking an open-world experience centered around staying concealed. Among the vast array of options, the following games stand out as some of the finest open-world stealth games that players should definitely try, if they haven't already.
8 Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands offers exhilarating gunfights, but it ultimately prioritizes stealth gameplay. Players have the freedom to customize their own Ghost character and choose their own playstyle. The most popular strategy is to remain hidden and launch surprise attacks from cover.
Teaming up with three friends allows for coordinated assaults and strategic takedowns. With the vast expanse of Bolivia to explore, players can traverse the terrain using various vehicles, uncovering secrets on land, in the air, and even underwater.
7 Watch Dogs 2
In Watch Dogs 2, hackers often operate covertly among the general population to elude capture. Like its predecessors, this game empowers players to utilize their hacking expertise to inflict harm on adversaries while remaining inconspicuous.
Taking on the role of Marcus in the futuristic city of San Francisco grants players numerous opportunities to showcase their hacking abilities and make use of advanced gadgets. Whether it is for completing key missions in the campaign or aiding the local community, players will constantly put their skills and cutting-edge tools to the test.
6 Horizon: Forbidden West
Horizon: Forbidden West is not primarily focused on stealth, but it allows players the freedom to select their own playstyle by utilizing different skill trees for their abilities.
With Aloy's expertise as a proficient hunter, she can effortlessly camouflage herself in the tall grass, avoiding detection from both humans and machines. She strikes her enemies swiftly before vanishing back into the foliage. When combined with the extensive and captivating western environment of Horizon, this creates a thrilling adventure that challenges players to familiarize themselves with their surroundings in order to remain concealed.
5 Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided may not boast the biggest open-world, but it offers players an immersive cyberpunk city to uncover as they assume the role of Adam Jensen, a Covert Operative. In a world that has turned against his kind, Adam must navigate the city, seeking answers to its greatest mystery. With the freedom to tackle situations in multiple ways, players must utilize stealth to gather information and take enemies by surprise in the year 2029.
4 Dishonored 2
Dishonored 2 may not offer a fully open world experience like other games, but players are still able to freely explore interconnected areas within the city of Karnaca. The gloomy and gritty atmosphere of Dishonored complements the stealth gameplay, allowing players to impact their ending. By unlocking different abilities, players can transform Corvo or Emily into deadly assassins, utilizing the supernatural gifts bestowed upon them by the Outsider.
3 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
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Similar to other successful games in the Metal Gear Solid series, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain offers players the necessary stealth tactics to conquer perilous missions.
However, unlike its predecessors, Metal Gear Solid 5 breaks free from the confinement of set mission areas, allowing players the freedom to explore and complete open-world missions. This innovative approach not only presents a new level of challenge in terms of stealth, but also requires players to navigate the map while evading their adversaries.
2 Batman: Arkham Knight
Similar to Metal Gear Solid, the Batman: Arkham series is another gaming franchise that has captivated players with its stealth gameplay. Unlike Batman Arkham Asylum, which limited players to a small island, Batman: Arkham Knight allowed players the freedom to stealthily navigate the entire city of Gotham, just like the iconic Dark Knight himself.
Serving as the concluding chapter of the trilogy, Arkham Knight impressed players not only with its expansive open world and intense stealth combat, but also with its engaging storyline that left many players yearning for more.
1 Assassin's Creed Unity
Among the numerous open-world games developed over the years, it is undeniable that the Assassin's Creed franchise stands out as one of the top choices for those seeking a stealth-filled experience. Despite its initial issues, Assassin's Creed Unity managed to win over its players once the necessary bug fixes were implemented.
One of the highlights of Assassin's Creed Unity was the ability to navigate through the historical backdrop of revolutionary France, particularly the captivating city of Paris, all while encountering and battling the Templars. This installment of the series not only solidified its reputation but also introduced a multiplayer element that allowed for a shared experience with friends.