Summary
Stealthgames might not be as big of an individual genre as they once were, but other games still continue to use elements that allow for sneaky playthroughs. It feels as thoughstealth has crept into most gamesas a feature to be expected, instead of staying in its own genre.
While stealth exists in various genres, such as the vast number of shooters that feature it,RPGsheavily dabble in it. Whether it’s RPGs from years ago that implemented stealth or more recent titles that have featured it, being sneaky can be a mixed bag depending on the game. Most of the time, it is a very strong tool used to annihilate enemies, but it can also be an unfulfilling aspect in some RPGs.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twicemight not have as many RPG elements as other FromSoftware games, but it still possesses some features belonging to the genre. Notably, players can upgrade tools in their Shinobi Prosthetic, obtain loot, and level up a skill tree.
Given the story follows a shinobi, a key part of the gameplay is stealth. Stealth is a very powerful way to defeat mini-bosses, as it can prevent a deathblow counter. Enemies will have a detection speed, and players can be in stealth by crouching, which is a typical stealth mechanic that many gamers are likely familiar with.
TheDeus Exseries might not be as popular as it once was, but the first game is still a highly acclaimed title thatpeople often revisit. With a mix of RPG and shooter elements, players can invest skill points to focus on various purposes and will influence the world via their actions.
Players can utilize stealth to their advantage inDeus Ex, and enemies must detect where they are. Noises will alert foes, such as the footsteps of the player or the scream of another enemy. Players must also crouch for better stealth proficiency, and this will also allow them to make quiet attacks on enemies.
Fallout 3was the first game in the series to be developed by Bethesda, and it wasa huge success. It kept RPG elements, such as skills, allowing gamers to play the game in a particular way. For those who wish to approach the game with stealth in mind, the Sneak skill is an ideal option.
Players can crouch to have an easier time of sneaking past enemies undetected, and it also allows them to shoot opponents sneakily. Picking off enemies at range can also work. There are even those who play through the entire game in one life due to how useful the stealth feature inFallout 3can be.
There aren’t as many games that truly delve as deep into being an RPG quite likeWorld of Warcraft. With an extensive open-world for players to influence and many classes to level up,the game is incredibly influential,being almost synonymous with fantasy.
While most of the classes won’t indulge in stealth all too much, Rogues use it as one of their primary abilities. Being stealthed essentially acts as invisibility, allowing players to disappear from sight. They are perhaps the most infamousWoWclass, terrorizing players due to their powerful abilities. There are also occasional quests that force players into stealth scenarios.
Knights of the Old Republicis one of themost legendary RPGsand one that constantly has eyes on it due to its relationship with a remake. In it, players will level up to spend skill points, and their actions can influence characters via dialogue.
Stealth is often cited as one of the worst parts ofKnights of the Old Republic. Many players will choose other ways to play the game instead of a stealth build, but there are also others who believe it can be enjoyable when done correctly.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twicewas when FromSoft introduced stealth into their games, and they clearly liked it due to its presence inElden Ring.It might not be the most powerful feature tocreate a build around, but it can still be quite strong.
Stealth can be used to clear camps of enemies, allowing players to avoid facing multiple opponents in an outnumbered fight. Various spells can also be used to help with stealth. However, it is more niche compared toSekirodue to the limited options available to the player when stealthed. With stealth, speed is vastly limited, and the removal of aerial critical attacks can be an issue for some.
Baldur’s Gate 3has become known for its extensive RPG freedom,especially for a CRPG. Various abilities and skills are available to the player in combat, and stealth can be a powerful one. Some players even avert from stealth due to how strong they believe it is.
Rogues are the main class that utilizes stealth, but others, such as a Gloomstalker Ranger, can also use it as part of their main kit. Stealth relies on an enemy’s vision cone. If the player is outside the cone, they can successfully stealth without much hassle. Light will also play a big role when trying to use stealth inBaldur’s Gate 3, as enemies will spot the player instantly if they are in a bright spot, but darkness can allow the player to get away with being sneaky.
Skyrimis most likely one of the first games to be thought of when mentioning RPGs. In it, players can venture througha vast open-world, engage in dialogue, level up to unlock skills, and loot various items.
Stealth, as is often the case in Bethesda’s games, is an incredibly powerful tool to utilize inSkyrim. Battles can be entirely won via stealth, items can be stolen, and NPCs can be pickpocketed. In fact, stealth, and many of the other skills, have become so well-known in the gaming community that even those who haven’t playedSkyrimwill have heard of it. Many players even consider the Stealth Archer build to be one of the best builds available in the entire game.
