Stealth games occupy a significant and intriguing niche in desktop gaming. The developers put their heart and soul into creating a mix of suspense, satisfaction, and thrill to satisfy our hidden desires. It is hard to overlook the sheer diversity of these top stealth games in 2022. From hardcore assassins to revenge-obsessed maniacs, stealth games cover all of them and more. Frequently stealth games take us to the realm of fantasy, giving you all kinds of magical powers. Whatever the case may be, top stealth games for PC are always fun and enjoyable to play.
While some of the games listed below may not be purely stealth games, they all contain the mechanisms of a top-class stealth game. If you are in the mood for a neck-breaking, sneaky satisfaction with a dash of cowardly sensation, then follow through our list of the 15 best stealth games on PC.
Stealth Games
A stealth game is a type of video game in which players take on a stealthy role to defeat or avoid opponents or enemies. Games of this genre usually let players remain undetected and sneak past different obstacles. Players can use disguise or use other tactics to hide. Some games let players choose to disguise or attack the protagonists from behind the curtain. Usually, stealth games feature different themes such as counter-terrorism, espionage, special force, or special agent operations.
Stealth games gameplay focuses mainly on completing a task by avoiding the target. It is a diverse game with many titles. Some of the early games of this genre are Manbiki Shounen (1979), Lupin III (1980), Castle Wolfenstein (1981), 005 (1981), and Metal Gear (1987). Later games like Hitman, Splinter Cell, and Gunpoint took the lead in this genre
Best Stealth Games on PC
Below is our top pick of the top Stealth Games for PC in 2022. Have a look and see if you can find the perfect game of your liking.
1. GUNPOINT
Personally, I feel like stealth games are like a puzzle that you have to solve carefully. Every move you make requires attention to detail and alertness. No wonder Gunpoint is so thrilling and exciting to me. The game puts you in a scenario of a detective who has been framed for a crime that he isn’t part of. But he was present at the time of the crime.
Gunpoint is not about fighting; instead, it is a problem-solving game. Each level tasks you with hacking different items from light switches to CCTV cameras. You can use a gun to bring down a guard. You have to sneak past the guards and reach your goal. However, if you set off the alarm, you get a limited time to get out of the facility.
Gunpoint is worth every penny you spend to purchase it from the Steam store. You can enjoy this majestic sneaky game on your PC.
2. MARK OF THE NINJA
Mark of the Ninja is the best stealth game offered by Klei Entertainment. They successfully integrated stealth mechanisms with 2D platformer games. Lighting, sound effects, and hiding spots are essential for stealth games. Mark of the Ninja features all of the elements, thus making it one of the best stealth games for PC of all time.
Mark of the Ninja is a great 2D single-player game that you can enjoy offline. The playable character is a ninja who has been marked with a cursed tattoo which gives him heightened senses and agility. Tackle every situation as they are presented to you. Which means it doesn’t require an internet connection to play this game.
3. DISHONORED
Dishonored is such a game that feels turn-based, but it is not. This game makes you mark your target, map different routes, and manually solve intricate problems. You can also uncloak and trigger the action mechanism to engage in combat. It is a fine combination of stealth and problem-solving mechanisms.
Dishonored is a perfect game for those who want to enjoy first-person action with a supernatural assassin vibe. This game is one of the intensive assassination-themed stealth games with single-player controls. Dishonored features all the elements that we ask in stealth games for PC but rarely get. It will blow your mind. You should play Dishonored from Steam.
4. INVISIBLE, INC.
Invisible, INC is one of the successful games that took the best stealth game mechanics and incorporated them into a well-established cyberpunk-styled game. It is another one of the best products from Klei Entertainment. Its randomized levels and permadeath design makes Invisible, INC a great strategy-based stealth game. The animation and movement of the characters are amazing. Though it is a game from 2015, it can compete with any modern-day indie game.
If you are in search of an open-world stealth game, then Invisible, INC is the perfect option. You should buy this game. In my opinion, it is the best turn-based strategy game to be available on the market. You would not want to miss out on this title.
5. SNIPER ELITE 4
Sniper Elite 4 is rocking the best kill cam on any other game on the internet. It is an excellent stealth military action game that you shouldn’t miss. Sniper Elite 4 is a military assassination game where you silently put down Nazi soldiers. The environment and plot are set in the World War II scenario. The B-grade movie charm brings more life to the game.
Sniper Elite 4 comes with tactical depth and rewards ultra-precision shooting. Targeting Hitler’s close allies from a distance and shooting them is the main objective of the game. The kill animation amazes me every time I watch it. Give Sniper Elite 4 a try if you haven’t played it yet.
6. FAR CRY 3
Apart from the best graphics and in-game stories, Far Cry is the most outstanding and influential game from Ubisoft. Not only Far Cry 3 is an excellent FPS it also comes with the best stealth structure. You can actually tag an enemy from a distance and shoot them down. Before Far Cry 3, not many sandboxing shooters pulled off the stealth game mechanics successfully.
Far Cry 3 is a tropical shooting game with intensive action. You can enjoy the mafia-style gameplay with this game. Far Cry 3 features open-world gameplay and presents impressive graphics. You can play this game on Windows, PlayStation, and Xbox One. Try out this action-packed shooter today.
7. MANHUNT
The Manhunt is Rockstar’s virtual snuff thriller film, one of the most unpleasant games you’ll ever encounter. The Manhunt has been banned in many states for its violence and gruesome action. But if you look at it from the stealth game perspective, it is worth praise. In the game, the players are put in the shoes of a freed prisoner named James Earl Cash.
In Manhunt, you are tasked with some of the extreme tasks like strangling, suffocating, or hurting members of other gangs and enemies. To some players, the concept might not be pleasing. But we put this game on our list for its controls and game mechanism. You can “enjoy” this game on PC, PS4, and Xbox One console.
8. TOM CLANCY’S SPLINTER CELL: BLACKLIST
Splinter Cell: Blacklist is evidence that Fisher (the protagonist) has a bright future ahead of him. He has come a long way since his first appearance in 2002. It is the last game from Ubisoft in this series. Splinter Cell: Blacklist earned its place on our list because this game pushed the franchise forward and gave us a taste of actual stealth combat.
Splinter Cell: Blacklist is not only about stealth, but it also features gunfights and hand-to-hand combat. The freedom of controlling the characters in the game gives it a new edge. You will feel like a veteran operative when you play Splinter Cell: Blacklist. In my opinion, Splinter Cell: Blacklist is the best stealth game for PC of all time.
9. DEUS EX: MANKIND DIVIDED
It might be surprising how a planned trilogy of action games ended up on this list. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is a sci-fi action single-player game. Well, it earned its place for its story-rich interface and game mechanism. Despite being a sci-fi FPS, it offers problem-solving and sneaky tactics. I enjoy playing Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and taking the role of Adam Jensen.
In Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, the veteran covert operative Jensen is armed with the latest arsenal of weapons and gadgets. Sci-fi stealth is the main driving force of this title. As the main protagonist, you must choose the right path and redeem the world from a vast conspiracy. Dive into a world of futuristic techs and enjoy a marvelous journey into space.
10. HITMAN: BLOOD MONEY
Hitman: Blood Money is an assassination-based stealth game from 2006. “Money Talks and Silence Pays” is the motto of Hitman: Blood Money. Prepare yourself to make some killings with Agent 47. The Hitman franchise is always one of the best assassination games with a sneaky mechanism. The game is entertaining as well as exciting. The task of being hidden and taking down the target from a distance is exhilarating. You can also engage in hand-to-hand or knife combat in Hitman: Blood Money.
The graphics of Hitman 2 may be a little shaky, but it doesn’t affect the overall gameplay. You can enjoy this game on your desktop PC, macOS, Xbox, and PS4.
11. ALIEN: ISOLATION
Alien: Isolation is regarded as one of the best horror games. It was also awarded the best game of 2014. But what is the goal of the game? You may ask. Well, you hide in lockers to stay away from the invading aliens. You must stay out of sight at any cost. For the sneaky perspective of Alien: Isolation, it is on our list of the top stealth games for PC.
Unlike other stealthy games on this list, Alien: Isolation presents us with an enemy that evokes pure terror in mind. It has a fine combination of horror and suspense with stealth attributes. The jump scares and gruesome animation of the otherworldly creatures are just horrifying. You can enjoy this game on your PC from Steam. But let me give you a friendly warning, Alien: Isolation is not for the faint of heart.
12. METAL GEAR SOLID 5: THE PHANTOM PAIN
Flaming Unicorns! A ruthless sniper who should have worn more clothes than she has! The cutest one-eyed puppy in the history of video games and the most fantastic stealth mechanism in a game. These are the things I can think of to describe Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. It is the best game of the Metal Gear franchise with the latest technology. The game features blood, gore, violence, and some explicit content. Players below the age of 18 should not play this game.
Everything about this game is impressive. If you can play Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, then you will fall in love with it. With a story-rich cinematic transition and the best soundtrack Metal Gear Solid 5 is worth every penny you spend on it.
13. THIEF 2: THE METAL AGE
Thief II: The Metal Age is a 2000 stealth game with a pure thief mechanism and sneaky tactics. The grandmaster of thieves is back again with Thief 2: The Metal Age. You can enjoy the life of a master thief with this game. With 15 new complex puzzles and different scenarios, Thief 2offers the most suspense and thrill.
Thief 2: The Metal Age offers first-person-based gameplay. The advanced AI mechanism makes this game the best. You get sophisticated master tools to unlock every door and lock. It will provide you with hours of fun gameplay. Try out these classic stealth games for PC today.
14. COMMANDOS 2
There are very few people who are good at Commandos 2. But every gamer respects the game for its in-depth story and stealth tactics. This WWII game puts most other classic war games to shame. Not only does Commandos 2 features unique gameplay but also amazing graphics and soundtrack.
The HD remastered version of Commandos 2 is available on Steam. You can own this game for only $12.59. Engage in a real-time tactical battle with the enemies and help the allies to win the war. Plan every move ahead of time and secure victory in WW2.
15. SPLINTER CELL: CHAOS THEORY
This is the second entry from the Splinter Cell game series. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is based on the novel by Tom Clancy. Just like previous games in this series, Chaos Theory follows Sam Fisher and his sneaky operations. The controls and movement of the playable characters are smooth. It feels like you are living the life of the protagonist in real life.
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory focuses on the innovative characteristics of stealth games. It is also a co-op game. This means you can enjoy the game with your friends over the internet.
Final Thoughts
I hope the list of best stealth games for pc is helpful to you. We tried to incorporate all the best stealth and hidden tactics games in this list. Let us know which one is your favorite on this list. Share your thoughts in the comment section.