Summary
Throughout video game history, there have been many different genres that players can immerse themselves in. One such genre is stealth games, which offer completely different gameplay. The stealth game genre has definitely seen better days, but it has still shown a strong will to live, especially with games such asGhost of Tsushima, new entries in theHitmanseries, and, of course, theAssassin’s Creedseries.
By this point, there are numerousAssassin’s Creedgames, some tilting more toward RPG titles, and some toward the more standard stealth experience. However, they almost always allow players to engage in stealth gameplay at some point, and certain titles offer more stealth options than others.
Stealth inAssassin’s Creedhas fluctuated over the years, with some games focusing on it more than others. The originalAssassin’s Creedgame focused on being a stealth game, but didn’t go into as much depth as some other later titles were able to.
That being said, it laid the groundwork for the stealth gameplay that would be associated withAssassin’s Creed; assassinations, parkour for easy enemy kills and quick escapes, Eagle Vision for extra information, and social stealth allowing players to blend in with other NPCs to avoid detection.
Assassin’s Creed 2is often considered to be the best in the series. With gameplay improving over the original game, the stealth options available to players were also improved.
One of the biggest changes was the ability to swim, allowing players to hide underwater to avoid enemies. Social stealth improved, so players can blend in with any crowd, not just those wearing similar clothing. Additionally, different groups of people could be hired to blend in with them, thereby not alerting any enemies. There is also a range of tools to utilize, such as poison, throwing knives, and smokebombs, among others, that are less stealth-oriented.
The Ezio Trilogy games have fairly similar stealth gameplay to each other. However, underneath, there are stealth options that make each game different from one another.
Assassin’s Creed Revelationslets players engage in the usual stealth gameplay, such as quick assassinations of enemies, blending in with the crowd, and using different environmental elements to gain an advantage. There are also tools, as per usual, such as a crossbow, throwing knives, and poison darts. However, the bomb crafting makes for different options compared to previous games, with some bombs applying to stealth situations, be it bombs that distract guards, bombs that blind enemies, or bombs that separate enemies from each other.
DifferentAssassin’s Creedgamestake on different approaches to stealth gameplay.Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagpossesses aspects from other games in the way of stealth options, but is mainly focused on environmental stealth.
There are lots of opportunities in the world for stealth, notably in foliage. There are bushes to lure enemies into, trees to hop between, and of course, the ocean, given it is a pirate game. There are, additionally, the usual aspects of stealth for anAssassin’s Creedgame, with parkour, different assassinations, and various tools. Notably,Assassin’s Creed Rogueshares almost identical stealth gameplay withBlack Flag,making both games the same in this regard.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhoodhas similar stealth gameplay to the previous game,Assassin’s Creed 2, but gives players a bit more options. In Brotherhood, the overall feeling is that of stealth, with missions designed around playing sneakily, notwithstanding the different tools and systems that players can indulge in.
Obviously, the Brotherhood system is an important part ofAssassin’s Creed: Brotherhoodand can be a huge boon to stealth situations. The game also has numerous tools to help stealth gameplay, such as the parachute, poison darts, smokebombs, and the crossbow.
Assassin’s Creedmoved to RPGentries over the years, with stealth gameplay somewhat taking a backseat in comparison to earlier games. However,Assassin’s Creed Miragewas a return to form, with strong emphasis placed on stealth gameplay.
There are various tools, as usual forAssassin’s Creed. This time there are throwing knives, a blowdart, smokebombs, traps, and a noisemaker, which provide different utilities. The world itself can play an important role in stealth gameplay, such as different assassinations depending on where the player is hiding, and the inclusion of various environmental traps that can be used to defeat enemies. Skills can be used to further increase the viability of stealth. Assassin’s Focus can be used to easily dispatch enemies, and can be used for different situations, simply to attack, to traverse locations, or to get out of a sticky situation. Finally, social stealth is also an aspect ofAssassin’s Creed Mirage, being an element that can further the viability of stealth.
Many considerAssassin’s Creed Unityto have the best stealth options in the whole franchise. Of course, as the next game afterUnity, many also considerAssassin’s Creed Syndicateto be the best game for playing stealthily, and it holds gameplay that madeUnity’s stealth great.
Like withUnity, some missions were designed with stealth in mind, with various ways to approach the mission similar to theHitmangames. Various tools were available for players to use, with the throwing knives as a fan favorite. Whistling and being able to move bodies allowed for more ease of stealth, and the game introduced some new mechanics, such as kidnapping, making it different fromUnity, even if it is quite similar.
WhileAssassin’s Creedhas always been associated with stealth, Japan and its association with the shinobi only make it natural forAssassin’s Creed Shadowsto hold great stealth options. Of course, there are two protagonists inAssassin’s Creed Shadows, and between the two, Naoe is the one suited for stealthy players.
Eagle Vision makes a return, but a new mechanic is introduced - the Observe mechanic, which allows for additional information about areas to be gained. The other massive new mechanic is the ability to go prone, allowing for even more stealthy navigation. There are additional tools for players to use, such as shurikens, kunai, shinobi bells, and smokebombs, as usual forAssassin’s Creed. The area can also give different stealth options, such as in the water, hiding in objects, whistling to distract enemies, and even extinguishing lights.
Starting with a rocky start,Assassin’s Creed Unityhas since become a fan favorite of the franchise. With improvements over the previous games, one such example is howUnitydealt with stealth.
Unity’smanual crouching, along with its fluid andimpressive parkour, makes for extreme ease when navigating. The assassinations are smooth, making for quick dispatches of foes via stealth. There are additional tools that allow for further stealth gameplay, such as a smoke bomb and a crossbow. Missions were also changed, allowing for a greater range of stealth gameplay instead of being linear. However, there are still some classicAssassin’s Creedstealth elements, such as the ability to blend into crowds.
