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Since its release Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain has dominated most of the video gaming headlines.
Even the previous two editions of Four of a Kind has been dedicated to both Hideo Kojima and his most seminal series. This week will conclude the celebration, of sorts, as Four of a Kind will sneak in one final Metal Gear related topic, the examination of top retro stealth games.
1. Castle Wolfenstein (Commodore 64, Atari)
The Wolfenstein series is known mostly for fast-pace first-person shooter action however Castle Wolfenstein, the first game in the franchise released in 1981, is often cited as the prototypical stealth-based game. Players can experience the game via shooting enemies however ammunition is scarce and, in-doing so, results in alerting guards. Silence is the main focus, in regard to; gameplay style, visual representation and atmosphere.
The objective is traverse through each level of the castle, sixty rooms in total across five floors, to retrieve secret war plans whilst remaining undetected by Nazi soldiers.
2. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (Playstation)
Despite limited technology of the time, Tenchu: Stealth Assassins is one of the best stealth experiences available. Released in 1998 Acquire created a great representation of a ninja culture and stealth mechanics within a gaming world that provides credible and realistic action.
Each choice a player makes has a certain level of repercussion, creating a challenging experience that can sometimes result in frustration and determination to succeed. The use of the stealth gameplay is not just method of progression but also mechanics to be learned in order to survive.
3. Hitman 2: Silent Assassin (Xbox, Playstation 2, Gamecube)
Most consider stealth to fundamentally keep within the shadows, move silently and stay hidden however Hitman 2: Silent Assassin proves stealth can be executed effectively when staying in plain sight. Each title in the Hitman series encourages players to execute targets in a grand method, using; multiple methods, creative techniques and costume.
Essentially the players are encouraged to be powerful and on the offense during periods of stealth rather than evasive. Silent Assassin is both one of the best games of the Hitman franchise and the stealth genre due to; an immersive plot, clever level designs, multiple ways in which to approach targets, intelligent missions and great stealth mechanics.
4. Thief: Deadly Shadows
Thief: Deadly Shadows is not only the finest entry in the franchise but the best evolution of the game’s stealth for numerous reasons. The first is the ability to manually switch between first-person and third-person perspective to gain a new dynamic and more options when surveying the path ahead. Mission levels are navigated by sneaking through the shadows as walking or running will alert nearby guards, who detecting the presence of a Garrett, will begin a search. Guards will hunt players therefore to players must actively monitor the noise each action creates.
Thief: Deadly Shadows has a presence on this list due to one of the most infamous, horrific levels in gaming history. “Robbing The Cradle” places Garrett in an insane asylum which combines a great example terror with stealth.
The mission is instantly gripping owing to fear, ambience and challenging sequences that must be dealt with stealth skills to the best of the player’s abilities.
That concludes this week’s exploration of video games that may or may not have covertly infiltrated your gaming experiences. As always feel free to leave a comment regarding the games presented on the list on ones that may have slipped by.
Honourable mentions: Manhunt (Playstation 2, Xbox), 005 (Sega Arcade), Syphon Filter (Playstation), Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher’s Bay (Xbox), Amnesia: The Dark Descent (PC), Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (Xbox, Playstation 2, Gamecube), Sly Cooper and the Theivius Racoonius (Playstation 2).