The stealth and espionage genre in videogames are usually much more thoughtful affairs than straight action games. They are designed to challenge a gamer in different ways than explosive and fast-paced action shooters like Call of Duty and even Doom.
Of course, having a game using themes based around espionage is more than just implementing good stealth mechanics. It has a lot to do with the game’s story, presentation, and setting. In addition, great spy stories aren’t just limited to spy fiction set during the Cold War but they can extend to different time periods and genres. Let’s take a look at 10 of the best espionage and spy games.
Disclaimer: We’re only including the highest-scoring games from one franchise with the exception of the new Hitman games because it’s a reboot with a slightly retconned story arch and part of a brand new trilogy.
Updated by Michael Llewellyn on January 30, 2021: The stealth genre continues to grow in popularity with the release of two excellent titles within the first few weeks of 2021. Then there is a remaster of one of the most highly regarded tactical stealth and espionage games of all time getting released on modern consoles that need to be put into consideration.
The genre also seems to be expanding to multiplayer titles like Hood: Outlaws & Legends where stealth, teamwork, and tactics seem to be at the forefront of the game’s mechanics. Far Cry 6 is also set to be released sometime this year but in the meantime let’s take a look at some of the available now.
15 Disjunction (Metascore 72)
Released in 2021, Disjunction is a stealth game set in a cyberpunk vision of New York that’s under the control of an authoritarian government. It was developed by a small indie studio called Ape Tribe Games. It’s an old school action RPG with some pretty low tech visuals by today’s standards but those willing to look past this will find one of the deepest stealth games in a long time.
On a visual level, Disjunction is very reminiscent of the classic Metal Gear Solid games on the SNES. The RPG mechanics, however, set it apart from the MGS series as players can upgrade the skills and development of the characters that they control. Furthermore, the characters have dialogue choices that have a significant impact on how the story develops.
14 Alpha Protocol (Metascore 72)
Despite being the lowest scoring game on this list according to Metacritic. Alpha Protocol is probably the most authentic espionage and spy experience on the list. Developed by Obsidian and released in 2010, the game takes inspiration from films like Mission Impossible, James Bond, and Jason Bourne.
Alpha Protocol’s storyline offers the player branching pathways through the game via the use of its dialogue system. Gamers can choose to be aggressive, suave, and professional, each of which yields different results as the game progresses.
13 The Operative: No One Lives Forever 2 (Metascore 79)
Like its predecessor, The Operative: No One Lives Forever 2 is a tongue in cheek tribute to classic James Bond films and TV shows like The Avengers. Released in 2000 on the PC the game scored a massive 91 on Metacritic but the hideous 2002 PS2 port only scored 67 pulling its overall score right down. As a result, gamers should really only seek out the PC version if they want to experience a very enjoyable espionage game.
The 1960s set spy actioner puts players in the shoes of a female protagonist called Cate Archer who was designed to be a female equivalent of James Bond. Just like 007, Archer uses a variety of gadgets, weapons, and stealth tactics to tackle missions in this globe-trotting adventure.
12 Invisible, Inc. (Metascore 82)
Released in 2015 for the PlayStation 4 and PC formats and then in 2016 for iOS devices, Invisible, Inc. is a turn-based industrial espionage stealth game where the player is tasked with working covert missions within a limited amount of time.
Developed by the same team that created Mark of the Ninja and Shank, Invisible, Inc. has similar mechanics to the XCOM series but the missions, tasks, and layout are all procedurally generated. As a result, each playthrough gives players an incredible amount of replayability.
11 Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun (Metascore 85)
Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun was released in 2016 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC. It is a real-time strategy stealth game where the player takes control of a team of assassins in Feudal Japan on missions of espionage and assassinations.
Each mission needs to approached like a puzzle with mechanics that work in a similar manner to the Commandos series. Furthermore, Shadow Tactics also has a great story with memorable characters to drive the plot forward. It’s a lot more forgiving than similar strategy games by allowing players to save any time during a mission.
10 Hitman 2: Silent Assassin (Metascore 87)
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin is the highest-scoring game in the series according to Metacritic. It’s an excellent game, was a far more polished title than its predecessor, and it laid the groundwork for the series’ mechanics going forward with the implementation of disguises, and open-ended level design.
The recently released Hitman and Hitman 2 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC are prequels/reboots of the series that go back to the roots of what made Silent Assassin so good. Just with more polished gameplay, larger environments, and a seemingly infinite number of ways to tackle mission objectives.
9 Commandos 2: Men Of Courage (Metascore 87)
Originally released in 2001 for the PC, Xbox, and the PlayStation 2, Commandos 2: Men of Courage is a classic real-time tactical espionage game set during the events of World War 2. It was remastered and re-released in 2020 for the PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and the Xbox One.
It’s a challenging game that puts players in control of an elite team of commandos that have infiltrated Nazi Germany and have to perform covert missions behind enemy lines. Even with this remaster, Commandos 2 does show its age a little bit but it’s still one of the best tactical stealth experiences around.
8 Hitman 3 (Metascore 87)
Released in 2021, Hitman 3 is the final chapter in the World of Assassination trilogy and it’s arguably the best one yet. The James Bond and Mission Impossible influences have always been strong throughout the series but Hitman 3 really does feel like a precursor to the developer’s next big title Project 007.
The sandbox design of each level allows players to really master a variety of ways to take down their target using disguises, environmental accidents, sniper rifles, and more. Better still, gamers that own the previous titles can activate the Legacy Missions in Hitman 3. This not only puts all three games into one neat little package but the older missions benefit from the enhanced visuals and mechanics from the newer game.
7 Dishonored (Metascore 89)
Dishonored was first released in 2012 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox One, and the PC. It was remastered and released again for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2015 and included all of the previously released DLC in one package.
Both Dishonored and its sequel Dishonored 2 give players a nearly endless amount of freedom through its cleverly designed world and levels. The ability to infiltrate, explore, experiment, and manipulate one’s surroundings offers players some of the most unique stealth experiences out there.
6 Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s Cut (Metascore 91)
Released in 2011 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the PC, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is an action-RPG stealth game set in the futuristic Cyberpunk world. Players take control of a character called Adam Jenson, an agent that has been enhanced through cybernetic augmentation.
Mission and level design is fantastic and offers players lots of options and opportunities for espionage, intel gathering, sabotage, and stealth. Players can even take a non-lethal approach or instead tackle their enemies like a ruthless killer using all the tools at their disposal. Due to its open-ended gameplay, there’s a lot of replay value in Deus Ex: Human Revolution.
5 Device 6 (Metascore 92)
Released on iOS systems in 2013, Device 6 is a text-based adventure and puzzle game where the protagonist Anna is trying to escape a prison island. The story seems to take a lot of inspiration from the classic 1960s British TV series The Prisoner in tone and plot devices.
Despite the limitations of the genre when compared to modern visual novels and graphic adventure games, this clever text adventure takes full advantage of the iOS platform’s hardware to create something unique and intriguing.
4 Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (Metascore 94)
Created as a more grounded and realistic rival to Konami’s Metal Gear Solid franchise, the Splinter Cell series quickly became one of the best stealth espionage experiences. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is often regarded as the best game in the series and this is reflected in its Metascore.
The visuals and audio production still look very good after 15 years and the story is by far the best in the series. It’s atmospheric and stylish and players can’t help but be drawn into its world of conspiracy and espionage.
3 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty (Metascore 96)
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty was first released on the PlayStation 2 in 2001 and an expanded version of the game followed a year later with Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance. Like its predecessor, Metal Gear Solid 2 is a high-tech espionage thriller with a science fiction twist.
It was also one of the earliest games in the stealth genre to offer players a non-lethal approach despite being equipped with a variety of tools and methods to kill enemies. Whether playing as Snake in the prologue or as Raiden for the remainder of the game, MGS2 lives up to its subtitle of “Tactical Espionage Action” with a ton of gameplay mechanics that made it the benchmark for stealth/spy games for years to come.
2 Goldeneye 007 (Metascore 96)
Released exclusively for the Nintendo 64 in 1997, Goldeneye 007 was and still is considered to be the best James Bond game ever made. It offered players the choice to run in all guns blazing or use the better stealthy approach.
This was made possible because of the brilliant level design and the increased challenges on the higher difficulty settings. Furthermore, it followed the premise of the film that it was based on and made players really feel like they were the ultimate secret agent.
1 Perfect Dark (Metascore 97)
Released in 2000, Perfect Dark was another exclusive developed by Rare for the Nintendo 64. It was the spiritual successor to Goldeneye 007 and featured many of the same mechanics. Without the James Bond license, new protagonist Joanna Dark had very big shoes to fill but Rare did a fantastic job of making her every bit as iconic in a new science fiction-based storyline.
Rare showed their expertise in creating well-designed missions and levels so players could take whatever approach they felt necessary. The game’s plot seems to take inspiration from both James Bond and The X-Files with its narrative centered around alien conspiracies.
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