The Best Stealth Games

Best stealth games at a glance

How these stealth games were selected

The ranking considers:

• Importance of remaining undetected
• Quality of enemy awareness and patrol behavior
• Use of light, sound and environmental information
• Variety of tools and routes
• Consequences for detection
• Solo and cooperative options
• Replay value
• Whether stealth remains meaningful beside direct combat

R.E.P.O. is in Early Access. Several games are stealth-action hybrids rather than pure stealth titles. Sekiro, Batman: Arkham Knight and Middle-earth: Shadow of War all include strong direct combat, but stealth still creates meaningful advantages and alternate approaches.

1. METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN

Best stealth game overall

METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN places tactical infiltration inside large mission areas.

Players can scout compounds, mark guards and choose an entry point before committing to an objective. Time of day, weather and terrain affect visibility and movement.

Weapons, gadgets, companions and vehicles create many solutions. One player may remain unseen, while another creates a distraction and extracts useful personnel from the area.

Enemy equipment can respond to repeated habits, encouraging changes in tactics instead of one permanent routine.

Mother Base connects field missions to recruitment and long-term development.

It supports single-player, multiplayer, full controller support, Steam Family Sharing, and needs at least 4 GB of RAM and approximately 28 GB of storage.

Choose it for the broadest tactical freedom and the strongest mixture of planning, experimentation and recovery after mistakes.

2. Dishonored

Best immersive stealth game

Dishonored follows a supernatural assassin through the plague-stricken city of Dunwall.

Levels provide rooftops, streets, interiors and hidden passages rather than one required route. The Blink ability changes navigation by allowing rapid movement between ledges and cover.

Weapons, gadgets and supernatural powers support lethal or non-lethal play. The game also reacts to the amount of chaos created during missions.

Stealth becomes a creative problem rather than a fixed sequence because powers can be combined with environmental systems.

Dishonored is single-player and supports Steam Family Sharing. It needs at least 3 GB of RAM and approximately 9 GB of storage.

Choose it for compact, replayable levels where movement and player choice matter as much as avoiding sightlines.

3. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun

Best tactical stealth game

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is a real-time tactical stealth game set in Edo-period Japan.

The player commands five specialists with different abilities. One may distract an enemy, another can attack from range and another can move through spaces the rest of the team cannot use safely.

Guards have visible fields of view and patrol patterns, allowing the player to study a location before acting.

Coordinated commands make it possible to execute several actions together, turning a difficult patrol arrangement into a carefully timed solution.

Shadow Tactics is single-player with full controller support and Steam Family Sharing.

Choose it for handcrafted stealth puzzles and the satisfaction of coordinating a complete team instead of controlling one infiltrator.

4. Thief

Best pure stealth game

Thief places master burglar Garrett inside a dark city filled with guarded valuables and restricted spaces.

Light and sound determine safety. Moving across a loud surface can reveal Garrett even when no guard has a direct view.

Combat is possible but discouraged. Escape, distraction and route planning are more reliable than confronting several enemies.

Special arrows and environmental interactions create ways to darken an area, redirect attention or reach valuable objects.

It supports single-player, full controller support and Steam Family Sharing.

Choose it when remaining unseen and stealing valuables should be the main objective rather than preparation for a larger fight.

5. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Best modern historical stealth game

Assassin’s Creed Shadows uses feudal Japan as the setting for an open-world action RPG with both shinobi and samurai play styles.

The shinobi approach emphasizes quiet movement, assassination and tools, while the samurai approach is better suited to direct confrontation.

This contrast allows missions to be approached according to character strengths instead of forcing one universal method.

Architecture, vegetation and changing environmental conditions create routes and hiding opportunities across the world.

It is single-player and needs at least 16 GB of RAM and approximately 115 GB of storage. Steam Family Sharing is not listed.

Choose it for a modern open-world structure and the ability to move between stealth-focused and combat-focused characters.

6. Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT

Best stealth-action hybrid

Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT follows Jin Sakai during an open-world conflict that pushes the protagonist toward unconventional tactics.

Players can observe enemy locations, use the environment and remove isolated targets before open combat begins.

Ghost tools create distractions and opportunities, while sword combat remains a strong alternative when stealth fails or is deliberately abandoned.

The Director’s Cut includes the broader campaign package and additional content.

It supports single-player, online co-op, online PvP, full controller support, Steam Family Sharing, and needs at least 8 GB of RAM and approximately 75 GB of storage.

Choose it for cinematic open-world exploration and a balanced mixture of stealth and direct sword combat.

7. PAYDAY 2

Best co-op heist stealth game

PAYDAY 2 lets a crew attempt robberies through stealth or escalating gunfights.

Quiet plans depend on cameras, guards, civilians and alarms. Team members can divide responsibilities such as surveillance, electronic disruption and moving objectives.

A successful silent heist feels different from a loud run because information and timing replace sustained combat.

Detection does not always end the mission. Instead, the situation can transform into a defensive escape, making improvisation part of the experience.

It supports single-player, online co-op, multiplayer, full controller support, Steam Family Sharing, and needs at least 4 GB of RAM and approximately 32 GB of storage.

Choose it for cooperative planning and heists that can survive a failed stealth phase.

8. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands

Best open-world co-op stealth game

Ghost Recon Wildlands places a tactical squad inside a large open world filled with patrols, compounds and mission targets.

Drones and binoculars allow players to identify threats before approaching. Synchronized shots help the team remove several guards before an alarm changes the operation.

Long sightlines support overwatch, while buildings and terrain create opportunities for closer infiltration.

AI squadmates support solo play, and co-op lets players divide reconnaissance, sniping and assault roles.

It supports single-player, co-op and multiplayer, and needs at least 6 GB of RAM and approximately 50 GB of storage. Steam Family Sharing is not listed.

Choose it for open-world teamwork and accessible tactical planning rather than the denser system complexity of METAL GEAR SOLID V.

9. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition

Best difficult stealth-action game

Sekiro uses stealth to create advantages before demanding one-on-one combat.

Vertical movement and grappling allow the protagonist to scout from rooftops and branches. Isolated enemies can be removed quietly, reducing the pressure of a larger encounter.

Bosses and major duels cannot usually be solved through stealth alone. They require deflection timing, observation and aggressive control of posture.

This makes Sekiro a stealth-action hybrid rather than a pure stealth game.

It supports single-player, full controller support, Steam Family Sharing, and needs at least 4 GB of RAM and approximately 25 GB of storage.

Choose it when stealth should support exceptionally demanding combat instead of replacing it.

10. Batman: Arkham Knight

Best predator stealth game

Batman: Arkham Knight separates many stealth encounters into controlled predator spaces.

Detective tools reveal enemy positions and equipment. Gadgets allow Batman to create distractions, disable weapons and attack from above or below.

Enemies can change behavior as numbers fall, making the encounter more dynamic than a fixed patrol puzzle.

Direct combat remains central to the broader game, but predator sections provide a distinct stealth rhythm built around information and environmental control.

It supports single-player, full controller support, Steam Family Sharing, and needs at least 6 GB of RAM and approximately 45 GB of storage.

Choose it for accessible stealth arenas and a large action game that clearly separates silent encounters from group combat.

11. Metro 2033 Redux

Best stealth shooter

Metro 2033 Redux places stealth inside a post-apocalyptic first-person journey through the Moscow underground.

Darkness, limited ammunition and dangerous human encounters make avoiding combat practical rather than purely optional.

Lights and noise can expose the player’s position. Extinguishing light sources and moving carefully through occupied areas can preserve supplies.

The world also includes creatures and scripted threats that do not always support a silent solution, so the experience remains a hybrid shooter.

It supports single-player, full controller support, Steam Family Sharing, and needs at least 2 GB of RAM and approximately 10 GB of storage.

Choose it for atmospheric stealth where resource preservation and survival matter as much as perfect mission scores.

12. Little Nightmares

Best stealth puzzle game

Little Nightmares follows a small character attempting to escape a hostile place filled with oversized threats.

The protagonist cannot defeat most enemies directly. Progress depends on hiding, timing movement and using the environment to create a safe route.

Puzzles and platforming are as important as stealth, making the game more approachable for players who do not want complex inventories or weapon systems.

Its camera and visual scale help communicate danger without relying on a conventional tactical interface.

It supports single-player, full controller support, Steam Family Sharing, and needs at least 4 GB of RAM and approximately 10 GB of storage.

Choose it for a focused atmospheric adventure where concealment and environmental puzzles remain closely connected.

13. The Outlast Trials

Best co-op stealth horror game

The Outlast Trials places players inside dangerous objectives that can be attempted alone or with a group.

The characters are vulnerable, so hiding, escaping and coordinating routes are more reliable than defeating every threat.

Co-op changes stealth because one player can draw attention while another completes an objective or assists a teammate.

The experience combines survival horror with repeatable trials rather than a single linear campaign.

It supports single-player, online co-op, multiplayer, full controller support, Steam Family Sharing, and needs at least 8 GB of RAM and approximately 40 GB of storage.

Choose it for group-based horror where communication and evasion matter more than firepower.

14. R.E.P.O.

Best physics-based stealth co-op game

R.E.P.O. is an online co-op horror game about locating and extracting valuable physics-based objects.

Stealth is tied to noise and object handling. A valuable item can become a liability when awkward movement creates sound or damage.

Up to six players can coordinate carrying, scouting and escaping, but more participants also create more opportunities for mistakes.

The combination of horror, physics and comedy makes it less methodical than traditional stealth games.

It supports single-player, online co-op, multiplayer, Steam Family Sharing, and needs at least 8 GB of RAM and approximately 1 GB of storage. It is marked as Early Access.

Choose it for unpredictable cooperative stealth and extraction rather than a polished single-player infiltration campaign.

15. Middle-earth: Shadow of War

Best fantasy stealth-action game

Middle-earth: Shadow of War combines open-world action, assassination and army-building systems.

Stealth allows the protagonist to remove isolated enemies, enter strongholds and create advantages before larger battles.

The Nemesis System gives enemy leaders identities, strengths and relationships that can change after encounters.

Direct combat and fortress warfare are major parts of the game, so stealth is one tool inside a broader action RPG rather than the only viable method.

It supports single-player, full controller support, Steam Family Sharing, and needs at least 6 GB of RAM and approximately 70 GB of storage.

Choose it for fantasy assassination and systemic enemy rivalries. Choose Thief or Shadow Tactics when avoiding combat should remain the central challenge.

Which stealth game should you play first?

Match the game to the experience you want:

• Open-world tactical freedom: METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN
• Supernatural immersive stealth: Dishonored
• Tactical squad missions: Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
• Pure darkness-and-sound stealth: Thief
• Modern historical open-world stealth: Assassin’s Creed Shadows
• Stealth and sword combat: Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT
• Co-op heists: PAYDAY 2
• Open-world squad infiltration: Ghost Recon Wildlands
• Stealth supporting difficult combat: Sekiro
• Predator arenas and gadgets: Batman: Arkham Knight
• Atmospheric first-person stealth: Metro 2033 Redux
• Stealth puzzles: Little Nightmares
• Co-op stealth horror: The Outlast Trials
• Physics-based co-op extraction: R.E.P.O.
• Fantasy stealth-action: Middle-earth: Shadow of War

METAL GEAR SOLID V is the broadest recommendation. Dishonored is better for compact levels and supernatural tools, while Thief is the clearest choice for players who want combat to remain a last resort.

Best pure stealth games

Thief is the strongest pure stealth recommendation because movement, light and sound define success.

Shadow Tactics is equally committed to avoiding detection but changes the perspective to tactical squad control.

Dishonored can be played without unnecessary violence, although its broad toolset also supports direct action.

Little Nightmares removes most combat options and turns hiding into part of its puzzle structure.

Choose Thief for first-person burglary, Shadow Tactics for tactical planning or Little Nightmares for a shorter atmospheric experience.

Best open-world stealth games

METAL GEAR SOLID V uses large mission zones where the player chooses routes, equipment and extraction methods.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Ghost of Tsushima combine stealth with historical open worlds and direct combat.

Ghost Recon Wildlands is the strongest co-op open-world option because reconnaissance and synchronized shots support squad planning.

Middle-earth: Shadow of War connects stealth to a systemic hierarchy of enemy leaders.

Open worlds provide freedom, but they often make stealth one option among several. Players wanting denser stealth challenges should choose Dishonored, Thief or Shadow Tactics.

Best co-op stealth games

PAYDAY 2 is the strongest co-op heist recommendation because a silent plan can transform into a loud escape without immediately ending the mission.

Ghost Recon Wildlands supports open-world reconnaissance, overwatch and synchronized takedowns.

The Outlast Trials uses stealth for survival horror, while R.E.P.O. connects concealment to physics-based extraction.

The correct choice depends on the group’s desired pressure: criminal planning, tactical operations, horror objectives or unpredictable object handling.

Best stealth games for beginners

Batman: Arkham Knight clearly communicates enemy positions and provides many gadgets, making its predator encounters easy to understand.

Ghost Recon Wildlands gives players time to scout and supports AI squadmates in solo play.

Little Nightmares uses simple controls and visual environmental clues, although timing sections can still be tense.

Dishonored is flexible because a mistake does not always require restarting the level.

Thief and Shadow Tactics demand more patience, while Sekiro adds difficult combat that can overwhelm players still learning stealth fundamentals.

Stealth games versus stealth-action games

A pure stealth game makes avoiding detection the main solution. Thief and Shadow Tactics fit this description most closely.

A stealth-action game treats concealment as one phase of a larger encounter. METAL GEAR SOLID V, Ghost of Tsushima and Assassin’s Creed Shadows allow the player to continue after detection through direct combat.

Sekiro and Middle-earth: Shadow of War use stealth to remove weaker enemies or gain an opening before combat.

Metro 2033 Redux and Batman: Arkham Knight alternate stealth with shooter or action sections.

Neither structure is automatically better. Pure stealth creates more tension around information, while hybrids give players more ways to recover from mistakes.

What makes good stealth gameplay?

Good stealth provides readable information without eliminating uncertainty.

Players should be able to understand light, sound, enemy vision and the consequences of an action. Patrols need enough consistency to support planning, but encounters should still react when something changes.

Tools should create distinct options. A distraction, mobility power and disabling gadget should solve different problems rather than function as interchangeable buttons.

Detection should also produce interesting consequences. METAL GEAR SOLID V and PAYDAY 2 remain engaging after a plan fails because the mission changes instead of simply ending.

Finally, the environment should support more than one route. Dishonored and Thief become memorable because architecture is part of the stealth system.

More stealth game guides

Players who enjoy supernatural powers and systemic levels can explore games like Dishonored. Superhero fans can also see the best Marvel games.

Final recommendations

METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN is the best overall stealth game for open mission design and tactical freedom. Dishonored leads for supernatural creativity, while Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is the strongest tactical stealth game.

Choose Thief for pure concealment, Assassin’s Creed Shadows or Ghost of Tsushima for historical open-world stealth, and Batman: Arkham Knight for accessible predator encounters.

Choose PAYDAY 2 for co-op heists, Ghost Recon Wildlands for tactical open-world co-op, The Outlast Trials for stealth horror or R.E.P.O. for physics-based extraction.

The best stealth games do not simply ask players to wait behind cover. They turn observation into a plan, then make every movement test whether that plan was good enough.