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Stealth games that still hold up

Seen is the one thing you cannot afford to be

174 games · page 1 of 4

The Last of Us 2013 Why it still holds upThe fights still come down to that scarcity today, and retreating to come back from another angle is often the way through, in levels open enough to improvise in.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End 2016 Why it still holds upYou would play it today for the traversal and the performances, since climbing carries much of the game and the dialogue and acting carry a personal story.
The Last of Us Part II 2020 Why it still holds upFights that leave many ways open, from sneaking through to setting groups against each other or shooting your way out, are still worth playing for today.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice 2019 Why it still holds upMastering the parrying is the reward now: the combat is built on it, and getting good at it gives a sense of pride.
Horizon Zero Dawn 2017 Why it still holds upFighting each machine is a small puzzle of weak points, in a seamless world with tribes at different technology levels, which keeps it worth playing now.
Ghost of Tsushima 2020 Why it still holds upIts sword fights still make it worth playing: each one asks you to read the enemy, pick the stance for it and break its guard.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2018 Why it still holds upCrossing the city by web is still fun before you do anything else in it, which is the reason to play it now.
Assassin's Creed II 2009 Why it still holds upFree running and a choice of how to handle each situation, with several ways past the guards, are the draw today, in a Renaissance Italy with an orchestral score.
Mafia 2002 Why it still holds upThe period setting is why it is worth playing now: Lost Heaven is modelled on 1930s American cities, and the missions move between chases, races and shootouts.
System Shock 2 1999 Why it still holds upThe skill system and the atmosphere keep it worth playing now, since you build your character through choices aboard a ship that feels lived in.
Inside 2016 Why it still holds upThe puzzles are why it still plays well: they are natural obstacles that make sense in the context of the game, and the wordless boy is expressive enough to carry it.
Death Stranding 2019 Why it still holds upA route planned, built and shared with strangers still makes the long walks worth doing today.
Deus Ex 2000 Why it still holds upWith several routes to every objective, both a pacifist and a combat approach work, and that freedom in level design is the reason to play it today.
Gothic II 2002 Why it still holds upA compact, hand placed world where exploring pays off is still the reason to play it today.
Gothic 2001 Why it still holds upExploring without markers, in a world of rival camps, is the reason to play it now.
GoldenEye 007 1997 Why it still holds upOpen levels with objectives that change by difficulty, plus the multiplayer, still hold it up today.
Perfect Dark 2000 Why it still holds upMissions built on objectives, and a large multiplayer toolkit, still give it more depth than a straight shooter today.
Far Cry 3 2012 Why it still holds upFive core systems, sneaking, shooting, driving, exploring and hunting, all feed the same leveling system, so the same encounter plays out differently depending on stealth, firepower and wildlife, and that is the reason to play it now.
Silent Hill 3 2003 Why it still holds upA flashlight, a radio that crackles near monsters and an Otherworld that changes around Heather still make the horror a matter of sight and sound today.
Assassin's Creed Brotherhood 2010 Why it still holds upRecruits to call in, a city you invest in and kills you can chain still make Rome a place you build up as you fight today.
Mark of the Ninja 2012 Why it still holds upWith every sound and sight line shown, stealth is still a matter of planning today.

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