Stealth in games: your opinions?

[oZzIIgk]

I've been thinking about stealth in games, and how it feels in comparison the rest of the overall game. I talked with @swampthingcs about this irl a while ago, but I think that a larger discussion would be valuable.
I kind of think that stealth is an overplayed mechanic that's far too present in recent releases. It was challenging and entertaining in some of the first stealth titles, like Metal Gear Solid (PSX), but it seems to be a feature in every single AAA game that isn't CoD (I think. CoD probably has stealth elements now, doesn't it? I have no idea.)

 

[radio silent]

I can't think of any notable examples of stealth elements in AAA titles recently, aside from Far Cry (or Metal Gear, but that's a straight-up stealth game).

If you mean stealth sections in non-stealth games, those have always been around. And they have always sucked. Turns out, you can't just throw in stealth wherever and have it work. It's not like RPG mechanics, which are way more prevalent in games these days.

 

[Minato]

Yeah, like fakevox said, throwing in stealth randomly in games just doesn't work too well. A case where I didn't mind it, Ocarina of Time. It was simple and short. You knew where to easily go. Windwaker, I probably wouldn't have minded so much if it wasn't the first mini-dungeon of the game. Just kinda overstayed your welcome while you just wanted to slash stuff at the start of the game.

 

[finalark]

I think the only non-stealth game I've played that implemented sneaking well was Uncharted 2. And that only worked because the game's enemy AI was actually programmed around it and because the cover mechanic was actually pretty well suited for it.

 

[windlessusher]

I only ever tolerate stealth in games when it's not an instant failure if you get caught. I like it in Uncharted or Metal Gear where you can either fight back or run away and hide and try again.

But cases like The Order 1886 where you instantly lose and have to do the whole section all over again? God no, it's waaaaaay too slow for my liking and you can't speed it up in any way.

 

[Squigglydot]

Most of the time stealth segments are pretty bad, but when they're the main mechanic of the game, it usually works out very well. I usually have a much better time playing a well made stealth game than a standard action game, personally.

 

[Twewy]

Call of Duty 4 had a great stealth mission. One of the best levels in the series.

As for stealth overall, I never really mind it. I'm a fan of Metal Gear and I used to like the earlier Splinter Cells. The only times I really disliked the stealth in a game were Wind Waker's little section and the entirety of Murdered: Soul Suspect. In Murdered's case it really just seemed tacked on like "wait **** we're a video game we need to have gameplay". And Rogue Squadron 2's mission where you take that Imperial Shuttle. That mission can go to hell.

 

[Synnett]

Oh man I love stealth. Whenever it's available I do it, as long as it is an option. I've never been fond of forced stealth where you just instantly die when you get caught, it took me a long time to finally get to play Wind Waker, because the start is so boring omg. Also, I never liked Uncharted or Assassin's Creed, the mechanics are too much based on stealth and it becomes tedious. (I don't play recent games that much anyway) Also, stealth-based games tends to be... quite easy? There is often a predetermined path that you have to follow, and it gets boring.

My favorite games for this kind of gameplay are Farcry (1st one) and Skyrim. I know that the mechanics in Skyrim are broken, being either too hard or too overpowered, but it's so fun! You get to sneak, backstab, pickpocket, lockpick and it's just so immersive. I also am not a great fan of guns; a nice thing about having daggers is that if you get caught, you have to fight with a rather weak weapon. If you get caught you are at a disadvantage, unlike in other games where you can just spray bullets everywhere. Also, you get to interact with your environment, unlike other stealth games or if you choose to be a warrior/mage. Same thing with Farcry, my favorite shooter game along with the Resistance series.