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[ChoosableOne]

Actually i like stealth mechanics to some degree but sometimes these mechanics makes each game look alike. I find it boring to memorize the movements of enemies who follow certain routes, approach them from back and press a single button instead of using many weapons/gadgets specific to that game. I will never understand those who play like ghost, that's a whole new level. I like to play games like Splinter cell, Hitman, Metal gear, Last of us with stealth and chaos mixed.

Do you think these mechanics are boring?

 

[Enzo88]

Only if insta-death upon detection.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Actually i like stealth mechanics to some degree but sometimes these mechanics makes each game look alike. I find it boring to memorize the movements of enemies who follow certain routes, approach them from back and press a single button instead of using many weapons/gadgets specific to that game. I will never understand those who play like ghost, that's a whole new level. I like to play games like Splinter cell, Hitman, Metal gear, Last of us with stealth and chaos mixed.

Do you think these mechanics are boring?

What's the point of playing Hitman when you are detected? I think there is a difference between stealth in plain sight (Hitman) vs. being unseen (Thief, etc.). I like both types, also mixing the types (Dishonored is ace, since you do not need to reload if you are discovered). I think worst possible scenario is when a game that is not stealth-only rewards stealth gameplay much more e.g. Human Revolution.

 

[SJRB]

If implemented solid they are god-tier
If implemented poorly they are godawful

Overall I fucking love stealth mechanics and will always, ALWAYS take the stealthy approach if possible.

 

[Aenima]

I love being steathy, but a good game for me needs to only have stealth as an option and not forced stealth with auto fail missions if you are found.

 

[Dr.D00p]

I truly hate action games with stealth sections inserted in them..mainly because games not built for stealth from the ground up, are almost always the ones that give stealth games a bad name.

 

[DogofWar]

Metal Gear/Splinter Cell games = Good

Forced stealth mission in a game that does not have proper controls for it = I'd rather have an escort mission

 

[nemiroff]

Only boring implementations of "stealth mechanics" are boring. If you make a non-boring "stealth mechanic" then that's not boring.

 

[Mista]

Depends on how they’re implemented. Most of the time they feel forced and garbage

 

[Inviusx]

Not all stealth is created equally. MGSV and AC Unity are 2 different approaches that are both badass. Odyssey, Origins and Valhalla stealth on the other hand is hot trash.

For me it all comes down to this, do a I feel like a cool stealthy dude while playing? If yes, then it's good.

 

[nkarafo]

They are boring when they force them in games that aren't about stealth.

Basically, games with "stealth sections". Case in point, Ocarina of time. It has a couple of stealth sections and these were the worst part of the game.

 

[TintoConCasera]

I like stealth in games like Deus Ex or Dishonored, games where the stealth is the optimal way but, if you get caught, you can fight your way out of the situation instead of just reloading a save.

 

[GymWolf]

They are boring if you have retarded enemies and zero challenge, like every aspect of gameplay, from combat to puzzles.

 

[MagnesG]

BoTW stealth run for most regions. Goddamn best.

 

[Humdinger]

For many years, I really disliked stealth sections in games. I think it was playing as a sneaky archer in Skyrim that finally turned me around. I'm still not a great fan of stealth sections, and I'll never play a stealth-centric game, but I appreciate the possibilities more now. Sometimes, it's good just because it breaks up the pacing a little.

 

[ChoosableOne]

What's the point of playing Hitman when you are detected?

Actually the fun part starts after that point. Not every hitman get things done perfectly, there are more then few clumsy but "hardworking" hitmans out there

I played The last of us 1 again recently in grounded mode and dropped it after few chapters. Then i picked up Part 2 and started on hard mode and i'm having a real good time with it. I'm using all the weapons that game offers, not just bottle or brick, and it's perfect. So i decided to ask it here, to my fellow gaffers about it.

 

[DonF]

As all the things in the world, if done incorrectly, they are trash.

 

[AREYOUOKAY?]

Stealth missions that give you an instant game over or have to start over from the beginning if you get spotted by just one guy are bullshit plain and simple. If I get spotted then let me fight to the death at least.

 

[brian0057]

Depends on the game.
Stealth in non-stealth games is usually shit... unless your name is Deus Ex.
In pure Stealth games, they're usually good... unless your name is Metal Gear.

 

[Captain Toad]

Stealth is best when the game is hard, but do-able, without it. Games like The Last of Us and Ghost of Tsushima do it well. You might not be able to stealth the entire area, but if you can quietly take out some, you'll have a better shot at winning the overall fight.

I enjoyed it in Sekiro too. But some of those fights were so hard, if I didn't get my stealth hit on the boss, I just reloaded the checkpoint.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Actually the fun part starts after that point. Not every hitman get things done perfectly, there are more then few clumsy but "hardworking" hitmans out there

I see, I always got the impression that Hitman games are about doing things without detection in plain sight, kinda like Thief series.

 

[brian0057]

I see, I always got the impression that Hitman games are about doing things without detection in plain sight, kinda like Thief series.

I mean, the point of Hitman is to kill your target in the most creative way possible without being seen.
That's how you get the elusive "Silent Assassins" score, signifying a perfect job execution... pun very much intended.

 

[Woggleman]

Stealth only works if it is optional. There needs to be a plan B if you get spotted and things go south. The way they do it in Metal Gear and TLOU games is stealth done well. In fact sometimes it is fun when you are spotted and things hit the fan.

 

[ethomaz]

I can say the same about shooting mechanics...

There is good and bad implementations.

 

[Moogle11]

For me, yes I just don’t like sneaking around and would rather just fight everything. Forced stealth sections in non-stealth games are the worst.
I deal with those to keep the story going, same with some games that are heavier on stealth like TLOU or MGS where I like the plot enough to them (and just to guns blazing a lot), but that’s about it.

 

[geary]

Talking about stealth and games...

 

[Saber]

As already stated, only if it kills the game upon detection. If you fail at the stealth part, it should be harder for you to deal with the situation. Forcing this crap into players is shit at best.

I also may add when the game is terrible at this mechanic, making enemies detect you when they weren't supposed to.

 

[Sentenza]

Only when poorly done.

 

[JoeyWestSide]

When it's something like dishonored, no.

 

[ChoosableOne]

I would like to hear from "ghost" players too. What's the motivation for it? Are you doing it for fun or some achievement?

 

[balgajo]

Depends on the game. Dishonored is a example of great implementation. While it's shit in games like Spider-man and Zelda. Spider-man being the worst offender.

 

[Calverz]

Awful in the last of us. Played through the game once and that was enough. Never to be played again. Too many insta deaths

 

[Nezzeroth]

Stealth sections in non-stealth games are almost always trash.

 

[YeulEmeralda]

Stealth makes sense in a game that is about spies/thieves.

Deus Ex: stealth good
Gravity Rush: stealth bad

 

[kraspkibble]

i like being stealthy but not all the time. having it as an option is fine but designing an entire game around it? hell no. also i hate being forced to play stealth. if i wanna go in kicking ass then let me.

 

[SJRB]

Talking about stealth and games...

Right in the feels..

 

[Kokoloko85]

MGS says no. So does Ghost Of Tsyshima

 

[Great Hair]

 

[xrnzaaas]

Hell no, but they need to be implemented well so that you don't feel like you're wasting your time being hidden and could easily overpower enemies in open combat.

 

[Hoya Destroyer]

I generally love stealth mechanics and have done so since playing the original Tenchu all those years ago.
Theres just something satisfying about being right on top of your target, them being completely oblivious and choosing exactly when they die
Stealth kill animations are something that Ive always been a big fan of too. They just always seem to look good.

 

[Griffon]

Either you make the whole game about stealth, or none of it.

 

[Mossybrew]

Yup, never ever been a fan of this genre of play. Much more interested in a power fantasy than a hide and seek fantasy.

 

[Soodanim]

I grew up on stealth games. I love the ghost approach, slipping by undetected. Weapons are for the weak. I feel like I’m cheating if I take the easy way out and use items when it’s possible to do it without. Always have. Sometimes it becomes clear that there is no easy way out, though. I also love the stealth slaughter approach. No one lives, and no one saw it coming. Less of a challenge, but still great fun.

You also get to let loose in a future play through, which is its own brand of fun. That’s where good game design comes in. The option of doing either is important. It’s fun if you provoke a bit of chaos when it goes wrong, especially if you are going non-lethal and need to escape.

 

[MDSLKTR]

Phantom Pain was the last enjoyable stealth game due to the variety and detailed AI interactions. Today it's all about bushes, listen mode and automatic win button.

 

[JCK75]

I'm going to say no as I can't seem to play skyrim without ending up as a stealthy archer no matter what path I intend to go down..
I'm going all mage this time, conjuration bound bow...

 

[Tesseract]

you could spend an eternity studying chaos theory or natural selection and never come close

instinct and awareness, light and sound ...

 

[Ballthyrm]

Stealth is often only has good as the AI systems.
Either you go Full Black & White and give as much info to the player as possible.
Or you make an intelligent system that let the player be creative.

Either one is hard to do well.
Most game break the illusion of being a shadow, unseen and unheard.

When done well, there are some of the best games around.
See Mark of the Ninja, Chaos Theory, COMMANDOS 2.

 

[Barnabot]

Depends if the game is Batman Arkham Knight and you are driving a batmobile and you have to stealth kill Deathstroke's tank or if the game is Metro Exodus and you are playing as a killing machine named as Artyom and everthing wants to kill you, but you need to go stealthy and get that good ending. These are the examples of stealth making the game boring.

 

[Aesius]

I like easy stealth. Clearing forts in Origins and Odyssey is dead easy (especially if you have a stealth build) but it’s also satisfying. Yeah, flying your eagle overhead and tagging every enemy and tracking their every move is a bit cheap but it made clearing out huge forts undetected efficient and fun.

IMO that’s the route games should take if they aren’t 100% stealth games. Don’t try to make those parts too challenging.

 

[midasmulligan]

Sam Fisher and Adam Jensen showed us what was possible, few have measured up to that standard