Summary
While stealth gameplay is tailor-made for video games, their propensity for telling amazing stories is a surprising but welcome development for gamers. By encouraging players to engage with the world, be careful, and be observant, stealth video games foster a strong engagement with every character and plot beat. In this way, they can produce some of the best video game stories available.
In some titles, gamers must repeatedly play through missions to get a better understanding of the world. Other games offer a cinematic tour de force where each mission is pockmarked with world-class cutscenes to contextualize the next infiltration. Stealth video games are a surprising but effective avatar for great storytelling that shouldn’t be overlooked.
On the surface,Hitman 3doesn’t seem like a story-heavy game. However, its design encourages players to replay levels, which is actually tailor-made for the stealth genre and an innovative way to tell a story. Players are unlikely to grasp the full details of their targets, locales, and missions on the first run through. But after repeated attempts,the player becomes more skilled with amazing stealth strategies, and the world slowly comes into focus.
Taking on the role of Agent 47,Hitman 3and its closely interlinked predecessors follows a spy story where there are very few friends, and backstabbing is a matter of courtesy. There are a lot of zany characters, dramatic twists, and a surprisingly emotional conclusion to the World of Assassination trilogy.
TheDeus Exfranchise is well known for its sprawling espionage-infused conspiracy stories, andDeus Ex: Mankind Dividedis no exception. It is possible for players to barge into any of the set pieces with a big gun and go wild. However, game generally encourages stealth gameplay (especially todiscover the game’s many hidden details) and killer takedowns as the calm, cool, and collected protagonist Adam Jensen.
Best of all, the story is full of genuine riches for those looking for sci-fi conspiracy thrillers. Its lore stretches deep into this future dystopia that reflects profoundly back on the world in which we live. Though it ends a little abruptly,Deus Ex: Mankind Dividedis a worthy successor to theDeus Exmantle, and it might be the only entry into the franchise that gamers are likely to get for some time.
For fans of theAlienfranchise,Alien: Isolationis a true treat, as seen byits profound influence on the newest film. By treating the titular xenomorph as a massive threat that can’t be killed, only delayed, the game infuses every corridor and action with fear as the killing machine prowls ever closer.
The game also has a great story that, while a little overlong, is a worthwhile addition to the ongoingAlienfranchise. It fleshes out the world even further, diving into the life of Ellen Ripley’s daughter and what she did when her mother disappeared. For fans, it’s catnip. What’s more, new players don’t need to know a thing about the original franchise to enjoy the game, making it an ideal place to jump in.
Building upon the solid foundation ofDishonored,Dishonored 2delivers a much bigger game. Players can play as either Corvo, the protagonist of the first game, or the new character Emily, the heir to the royal throne.
Taking place in sunny Karnaca as opposed to the glum locales of the first game,Dishonored 2tells a story of decay and betrayal in a world infused with magic and technology. Through the game’s memorable missions,including one of the best levels ever made, the storytelling grows ever deeper. The result is a mesmerizing finale that, for now, marks the end of theDishonoredfranchise as a whole.
TheAssassin’s Creedfranchise has a bit of a spotty history when it comes to telling coherent narratives. However,most agree thatAssassin’s Creed 2marks a particular high point inAssassin’s Creedstorytellingthat may never be surpassed.
Playing through the life of Ezio Auditore in Renaissance Italy, players are led down a life-spanning conspiratorial journey across the city states of Italy to find the killers responsible for Ezio’s family’s death. That journey is filled with incredible characters, stunning locales, and incredible assassinations, concluding in an action sequence that is so bizarre that it can’t help but be memorable.
More than any other franchise, theMetal Gear Solidgames are known for their winding, complex, and incredible stories.Metal Gear Solid 3is the pinnacle of that reputation, telling a story inspired by old James Bond movies set during the Cold War and delivering some of the best characters in gaming history. And that’s not to mentionthe genre-defining boss fights.
The best thing of all is that it’s not necessary to have played all the otherMetal Gear Solidgames to understand what’s happening in the game, as it takes place at the beginning of the timeline. With an upcoming remake on the way, this is no doubt the best story that stealth video games have to offer.
