Highlights
- The stealth and espionage genre in gaming offers a more thoughtful and challenging experience compared to action shooters like Call of Duty.
- Themes of espionage can be implemented in various settings and time periods, not limited to the Cold War.
- Despite lower scores or flaws, games like Alekhine's Gun and Alpha Protocol still offer enjoyable experiences for fans of the spy genre.
The stealth and espionage genre in gaming is usually a much more thoughtful experience than run-and-gun action games. They are designed to challenge a gamer in different ways than explosive and fast-paced action shooters like Call of Duty and even Doom.
Of course, having a game using themes based around espionage is more than just implementing good stealth mechanics. It has much to do with the story, presentation, and setting. In addition, great spy stories are not limited to spy fiction set during the Cold War but can extend to different periods and genres.
Updated September 18, 2023, by Michael Llewellyn:The stealth and tactical espionage genre is favored by players who prefer taking their time instead of running and gunning down enemies in mass numbers. Even the Assassin's Creed series is returning to its stealthier roots with the upcoming Assassin's Creed: Mirage by including more opportunities for stealth and assassination. With more games incorporating sneaking and spy work in their mechanics, this list has been updated to include more titles for fans of stealth and espionage.
- Released: 2016
- Developer: Maximum Games
- Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
With a score like that, some gamers might wonder why Alekhine's Gun is on this list. And it's true that the game is unpolished, clunky, and awkward to control. In some ways, the dreadful Metascore is justified. However, as a low-budget game that players similarly to the two-decades-old Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, it is worth a play for fans of Cold War era espionage and drama.
Like Hitman, players must complete objectives without arousing suspicion from enemies, guards, and police. Despite playing and looking like a twenty-year-old game, there are several moments where Alekhine's Gun makes players feel like a superspy. For all its faults, espionage fans will look past the flaws and enjoy the globe-trotting adventure.
- Released: 2008
- Developer: High Moon Studios
- Platform: PS3, Xbox 360
Launched in 2008 and developed by High Moon Studios, The Bourne Conspiracy was already in good hands with a team that knows how to create good licensed titles. After The Bourne Conspiracy, the studio developed the Deadpool game and two of the best Transformers games ever, Transformers: War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron.
The Bourne Conspiracy closely follows the plot of The Bourne Identity movie instead of the books but does not feature the likeness of its star, Matt Damon. It lacks the polish of a Splinter Cell game, but the use of stealth and combat closely resembles the movies and their fight scenes. Linearity is an issue for The Bourne Conspiracy, but considering it can be picked up for a reasonable price, it is worth stepping in the shoes of Bourne for a while.
- Released: 2021
- Developer: Ape Tribe Games
- Platform: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Released in 2021, Disjunction is a stealth game set in a cyberpunk vision of New York under the control of an authoritarian government. It was developed by a small indie studio called Ape Tribe Games. Disjunction is an old-school action RPG with some pretty low-tech visuals by modern standards, but those willing to look past this will find one of the deepest stealth games in a long time.
On a visual level, Disjunction is reminiscent of the classic Metal Gear Solid games on the SNES. The RPG mechanics, however, set it apart from the MGS series. Players can upgrade the skills and development of the characters they control. Furthermore, the dialogue choices available significantly impact how the story develops.
- Released: 2016
- Developer: Camouflaj
- Platform: Android, iOS, Meta Quest, PC, PSVR, PS4, Switch
First launched as an episodic series, Republique Remastered hit shelves with all released content in 2016. It is a stealth espionage and mystery game that shares similarities with Metal Gear Solid, Splinter Cell, and Deus Ex. It is somewhat more simplistic than those games, but it is still a solid stealth-em-up for fans.
Players have two methods of gameplay. The first is to control the movements of the main protagonist, Hope. The player also takes on the role of a camera person, hacking into systems and guards like the Watchdogs series.
- Released: 2010
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Platform: PC, PS3, Xbox One
Despite being among the lower-scoring games on this list, Alpha Protocol is the most authentic espionage and spy experience here. Developed by Obsidian, the game takes inspiration from films like Mission Impossible, James Bond, and the Jason Bourne franchise.
The story in Alpha Protocol offers the player branching pathways through the game via its dialogue system. Players can be aggressive like Bourne or suave like Bond. Each approach yields different results. There is a lack of polish, and its combat system is clunky, but Alpha Protocol is better than the sum of its parts. The term "diamond in the rough" is very apt for this title.
- Released: 2020
- Developer: CD Projekt Red
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Stadia, Xbox Series X/S
Thanks to several issues at launch, the average Metacritic score for Cyberpunk 2077 is lower than it should be. However, thanks to the latest updates and performance patches, it is in a much better state now. The current-gen and PC versions are the best way to experience the game. Moreover, Cyberpunk 2077 has increased its Metascore from 61 to 73, thanks to the current-gen versions, but is held back by the PS4 and Xbox One ports.
There are multiple approaches, and players can take a stealthy assassin-style approach to missions. Furthermore, there are themes of corporate espionage that fans of the spy genre will enjoy, helped along by futuristic technology like hacking cameras, computers, and enemy weapons.
18 1979 Revolution: Black Friday
- Released: 2016
- Developer: INK Stories
- Platform: Android, iOS, OS X, PC, PS4, Xbox One
1979 Revolution: Black Friday is an interactive docudrama game similar to Telltale's Walking Dead and Heavy Rain from Quantic Dream. There are politically-driven story elements based on historical events surrounding the Iranian Revolution.
Players take on the role of a photojournalist drawn into the chaos of riots and protests, taking iconic photographs. It is more of a documentary than an espionage game. However, the political tension and the narrative taking players inside the events of a revolution will appeal to fans of the genre.
- Released: 2022
- Developer: Rebellion Developments
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Sniper Elite 5 is an improvement over its predecessors, but appears to suffer on Metacritic because of the lack of reviews. It combines elements of the Hitman and Splinter Cell series. Karl Fairburne looks and behaves more like Sam Fisher than ever before, and the potential for environmental kills and flexibility is similar to the Hitman series.
It must be said that close-quarters combat is not as fun as sniping. However, the combination of stealth and the Hitman/Batman-likeability to mark enemies through walls allows players to strategize and plan more effectively without losing tension.
- Released: 2000
- Developer: Monolith Productions
- Platform: PC, PS2
No One Lives Forever is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to classic James Bond films and TV shows like The Avengers. When it was released, the game scored a massive 91 on Metacritic, but the hideous 2002 PS2 port only scored 67, pulling its overall score down. As a result, gamers should only seek out the PC version if they want to experience the best version of this game.
The 1960s-set spy actioner puts players in the shoes of a female protagonist called Cate Archer, a character designed to be the female equivalent of James Bond. Just like 007, Archer uses a variety of gadgets, weapons, and stealth tactics to tackle missions in this globe-trotting adventure.
- Released: 2013
- Developer: Harebrained Schemes
- Platform: iOS, PC
Many still consider the Shadowrun franchise to be the best RPG series set in a cyberpunk universe. Mixing elements of fantasy and technology, the world-building in Shadowrun, its interactivity, and lore are original and intriguing. It merges features of the cyberpunk genre with high fantasy characters like Orcs, Elves, and Magic in a way that works.
Shadowrun has turn-based and tactical combat with gameplay reminiscent of classic CRPGs and the Shadowrun board game. The plot elements dive into themes of industrial espionage and corporate conspiracy.
- Released: 2015
- Developer: Klei Entertainment
- Platform: iOS, PC, PS4, Switch
First released in 2015, Invisible, Inc. is a turn-based industrial espionage stealth game where players must work through covert missions within a limited time.
Developed by the same team that created Mark of the Ninja and Shank, Invisible, Inc. has similar mechanics to the XCOM series, but the missions, tasks, and layout are all procedurally generated. As a result, each playthrough gives players an incredible amount of replayability. For console players looking for an authentic experience, Invisible Inc. is one of the best spy games on the PS4 and Switch.
13 Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction
- Released: 2010
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Platform: PC, Xbox 360
With the Bourne movies influencing even James Bond with its fight scenes and darker take on the superspy genre, Splinter Cell: Conviction appeared to follow suit. There are valid complaints that Conviction dialed back on the difficulty and the stealth elements. Those looking for a more Splinter Cell experience should play on the more challenging difficulty levels.
The pacing and cinematic action require strategy and quick thinking. The narrative is a great espionage and spy thriller that pits Sam Fisher against Third Echelon, mercenaries, and hitmen as he tries to get to the bottom of his daughter's murder. The combat is dynamic and fast-paced, making it satisfying to put down enemies efficiently.
- Released: 2016
- Developer: Mimimi Productions
- Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun was released in 2016 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. It is a real-time strategy stealth game where the player takes control of a team of assassins in Feudal Japan on missions of espionage and assassinations.
Each mission needs to be approached like a puzzle with mechanics that work similarly to the Commandos series. Furthermore, Shadow Tactics has a great story with memorable characters to drive the plot forward. Moreover, it is more forgiving than the games it takes inspiration from but still offers enough challenge and replay value for old-school fans.
- Released: 2002
- Developer: IO Interactive
- Platform: GameCube, PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin is the highest-scoring game in the series, according to Metacritic. The excellent Silent Assassin was a far more polished title than its predecessor and laid the groundwork for the mechanics moving forward with disguises and open-ended level design.
The recently released Hitman trilogyfor the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC are prequels/reboots of the series that go back to the roots of what made Silent Assassin so good. They feature more polished gameplay, larger environments, and a seemingly infinite number of ways to tackle mission objectives.
- Released: 2001
- Developer: Pyro Studios
- Platform: PC, PS2, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
First aunched in 2001, Commandos 2: Men of Courage is a classic real-time tactical espionage game set during the events of World War II. It was remastered and re-released in 2020 for modern consoles.
Commandos is a challenging game that puts players in control of an elite team of commandos that have infiltrated Nazi Germany and have to perform covert missions behind enemy lines. Even with this remaster, Commandos 2 shows its age, but it is still one of the best tactical stealth experiences.
- Released: 2021
- Developer: IO Interactive
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Released in 2021, Hitman 3 is the final chapter in the World of Assassination trilogy and arguably the best yet. The James Bond and Mission Impossible influences have always been strong throughout the series, but Hitman 3 does feel like a precursor to the next big title from the studio, Project 007.
The sandbox design of each level allows players to master various ways to take down their target using disguises, environmental accidents, sniper rifles, and more. Better still, gamers who own the previous titles can activate the Legacy Missions as part of the newly titled World of Assassination. This not only puts all three games into one neat little package, but the older missions benefit from the enhanced visuals and mechanics of the newer game.
- Released: 2021
- Developer: Arkane Studios
- Platform: PC, PS5
Released as a current-gen title for the PS5, Deathloop is a stealth/action title from the same studio that created the Dishonored franchise. Like that series, Deathloop uses immersive sim-like mechanics to let players try various outcomes when taking out their targets.
The roguelike element ofDeathloop offers the player a surprising amount of freedom and satisfaction in being an efficient assassin. Players will find they will improve with every playthrough, thanks to the roguelike mechanics.Deathloop is one of the most immersive and satisfying spy/espionage games on the PS5 and the Xbox Series X/S.
- Released: 2012
- Developer: Arkane Studios
- Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One
Despite its age, Dishonored holds up today thanks to its unique art style and immersive sim mechanics. The remastered ports are available for the PS4 and Xbox One, with the latter being on Xbox Game Pass.
Dishonored and Dishonored 2 give players freedom through their cleverly designed worlds and levels. The ability to infiltrate, explore, experiment, and manipulate the environment offers players a unique stealth experience with replay value.
- Released: 2011
- Developer:
- Platform: MAC OS, PC, PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360
Deus Ex: Human Revolution is an action-RPG stealth game set in the futuristic Cyberpunk world. Players take control of a character called Adam Jenson, an agent enhanced through cybernetic augmentation.
Mission and level design offer players several options and opportunities for espionage, intel gathering, sabotage, and stealth. Players can even take a non-lethal approach or tackle their enemies like ruthless killers using all the futuristic tools available to the protagonist. Deus Ex: Human Revolution has open-ended gameplay with hours of replay value.
- Released: 2016
- Developer: Simogo
- Platform: iOS
Device 6 is a text-based adventure and puzzle game where the protagonist is trying to escape a prison island. The story seems to take a lot of inspiration from the classic 1960s British TV series The Prisoner in tone and plot devices.
Despite the limitations of the genre when compared to modern visual novels and graphic adventure games, this clever text adventure takes full advantage of the iOS hardware to create something unique and intriguing.
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