Top-down stealth games are quite rare, but among them, you can find a lot of worthy projects that deserve attention.
Stealth is one of the most prolific genres in the gaming industry, and the gameplay in it typically involves hiding in dark corners in an attempt to seize the moment to quietly deal with enemies or just as quietly sneak to the exit.
Most modern stealth franchises stick to a first or third-person view, but sometimes there are titles with a top view. Such a viewing angle improves peripheral vision and opens up more opportunities for both players and developers themselves who create locations with an unusual designs. So, here are the top 10 top-down stealth games of all time.
Desperados 3
The game from the studio THQ Nordic is unique in that it cleverly combines the popular setting of the Wild West with an unusual stealth action for this format. Through numerous levels filled with strategic puzzles, you can breakthrough as one of the five playable characters, using a variety of weapons and skills. This was done in the best traditions of tactical games - we can either attack opponents head-on or show ingenuity and covertly clear the entire location.
It is important to note that the title is a prequel to Desperados 2, so before launching it, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the plot of the first two licensed parts.
Heat Signature
The makers of the critically acclaimed Gunpoint later released Heat Signature, a top-down stealth game that challenged us to surreptitiously infiltrate spaceships, complete assigned missions with creative gameplay mechanics, and leave locations undetected.
In each level, high-tech gadgets can be used to incapacitate or distract crew members. Of course, the developers have provided several ways to solve each problem, thanks to which Heat Signature turned out to be so exciting. She came out in 2017 and looks great even today.
Invisible Inc.
Klei Entertainment is best known for its outstanding stealth-action platformer Mark of the Ninja, but Invisible Inc. is practically in no way inferior to the ambitious hit. A title made in an isometric perspective can be played as one of the 10 playable heroes. Interestingly, the levels in the game are randomly generated, and we have the opportunity to customize the character by pumping the most commonly used skills.
The core gameplay, with an emphasis on stealth and tactical elements, turned out to be surprisingly deep - each situation has several options for the outcome, depending on your actions. And in addition to the story campaign, there is also a level editor that allows you to create missions with special rules, which allows you to extend the time in the game, which is already rich in interesting content.
Ape Out
Devolver Digital's game doesn't seem to look like stealth - after all, this is a story about a monkey trying to escape from a huge maze-like complex, destroying everyone who dares to stand in its way. However, if you take a closer look at the project, it becomes clear that every encounter with the enemy requires a thoughtful strategic approach, without which the main character can die in the very first minutes of the game.
All labyrinths in Ape Out are procedurally generated, so you won’t be able to memorize all the obstacles and run to the finish line – you will have to master simple but inventive gameplay mechanics. The minimalist artistic design, which uses only a few colors, is also worth noting. The gameplay of Ape Out subtly resembles another project published by Devolver Digital - Hotline Miami. Here the levels are played in a similar state of "flow", and the game itself creates a dynamic mixture of stealth and action, which is extremely rare within this genre.
Volume
Volume by indie developer Mike Bitell is notable for its striking visual style and stealth gameplay inspired by the first installments of the Metal Gear Solid series. In it, we have to make our way past the guards, cameras, and deadly turrets, using various spy gadgets and techniques.
Volume does not hesitate to borrow successful elements and mechanics from the Deus Ex and Metal Gear Solid franchises, thanks to which the levels in the game (and there are exactly 100 of them) impress with their sophistication. Of course, during the passage, the complexity of Volume gradually grows - the title regularly throws us, new opponents, to which we need to look for our own approach.
Metal Gear Solid
The game, released on the first PlayStation, set the general fashion for tactical espionage action. Thanks to the efforts of the authors from Konami in 1998, we got the opportunity as Solid Snake to sneak into enemy bases and fight grotesque and memorable bosses. The game caught both its intriguing and multi-layered plot, and dynamic gameplay with impressive freedom of action for those times.
Nobody prevented us from having loud skirmishes on the levels or hiding in cardboard boxes from enemies, as well as using gadgets from the protagonist's rich arsenal. Let the graphics and short duration of the title no longer meet modern standards, but all other components of Metal Gear Solid will give odds to many representatives of the genre.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty
The hugely successful MGS was followed by Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2. Kojima took a huge risk by changing the protagonist, which caused a lot of controversy among the fan community, but in the end this decision was appreciated. Metal Gear Solid 2, the main events of which take place on a tanker, and then in a factory, pleased the fans of the series with improved gameplay and noticeably prettier graphics.
And through the history of MGS2, there was a white thread that was ahead of its time about the danger of disinformation spread through the media (especially the Internet).
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
The game was Mimimi Games' pen test in the genre of tactical stealth games. The action of the title takes place in Japan during the Edo period, and we control a shogun who fights against hostile clans.
The main emphasis in the gameplay is on the protagonist's unique tricks and gadgets, which help him complete missions while remaining relatively unharmed. Graphics, music, and location design in Shadow Tactics are made at the highest level, and a diverse environment does not let us get bored - we are waiting for both dense forests and snow-capped mountains.
Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine
The game from the PocketWatch Games studio is a cooperative tactical stealth game in which we have to collect a squad of criminals and pull off robberies that get more and more difficult over and over again.
Each hero has their own unique skills and abilities, but it is important to remember that not all characters are geared towards teamwork. The project looks rather modest, but if you play it with friends, Monaco will be a surprisingly fun and exciting adventure.
Commandos 2 HD Remaster
One of the most famous tactical stealth games in the history of the genre. The original version of the title was released back in 2001 and instantly won the hearts of many players with its deep tactical gameplay. Commandos 2 takes place during the Second World War, where we have to carry out various missions behind enemy lines.
At each level, there is an impressive amount of details that must be taken into account when conducting operations in order not to be defeated at the hands of opponents. HD remastered by Yippee Studios! Entertainment and Pyro Studios (authors of the original), is able to please not only with updated graphics but also with numerous gameplay innovations, thanks to which the missions in the game have become even more realistic.
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