The best stealth games
The stealth video game genre has picked up a lot of steam recently, so what better time to look back on the best of the genre? Here are the best stealth games.
nDreams Crytpic Tweets Look Like A ‘Phantom’ Sequel Tease
A series of cryptic tweets today from nDreams look like they could be hinting at a Phantom: Covert Ops sequel announcement.
— nDreams (@nDreamsVR) March 2, 2021
Phantom: Covert Ops was one of our favorite games from last year. We gave it a 4/5 score in our review and dubbed it nDreams’ best VR game to date. It’s quite a unique game and definitely sounds less exciting on paper than it is in practice. In Phantom, you play as a stealthy elite operative that must infiltrate enemy bases and assassinate bad guys from a distance — all while navigating rivers and canals in a kayak. Yes, the whole game takes place with you seated in a kayak and it’s actually a genius workaround of the VR locomotion vs immersion conundrum.
The first tweet is a stylized ‘X’ that, to me, looks like two oars crossing to make the symbol. That’s the heavy implication in my mind that this could be a Phantom: Covert Ops sequel. After that was a tweet with a pickaxe, which could allude to being able to climb mountains rather than just explore in a kayak. Then there’s of course a gun in the next tweet. Finally there’s the tweet embedded at the top of this article which includes all three icons.
Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to find out whatever these tweets are teasing. There is of course also the chance this could be related to their new publisher fund, rather than a creation of their own making.
nDreams has been developing VR games for as long as consumer-grade VR headsets have existed, so we’ve got our fingers crossed that whatever it is will build upon what they learned from working on Phantom: Covert Ops.
How to solve the Dartmoor murder mystery in Hitman 3
Hitman 3's Dartmoor level is probably the most interesting in the game. To reach the true ending, you'll need to know how to solve the Dartmoor murder mystery.
Hitman 3 Launch Trailer Promises A Thrilling Adventure For PSVR This Week
The Hitman 3 launch trailer is here two days ahead of release and it’s full of tense moments, pulse-pounding music, and plenty of assassinating and killing to really get you in the mood ahead of its January 20th launch on PS4 with full PSVR support.
Although Hitman 3 is of course launching on every platform you could reasonably imagine, from PC and Google Stadia to Xbox One, X|S, PS4, PS5, and Switch, only the PS4 version of the game will have VR support — and even then, only DualShock 4 support, no motion controllers. But don’t worry, because if you get it on PS5 you’ll get the PS4 version for free so you can try it in VR on PS5 still.
The launch trailer doesn’t seem to include any spoilers, but I’d be lying if I said this series is particularly well known for its captivating narrative. At its best, Hitman excels at delivering dynamic sandbox scenarios that set you loose on trying to find the most creative way to take out a target imaginable. And now, after Hitman 3 releases, PSVR players will be able to enjoy the entire trilogy in VR from start to finish. That’s a lot of sneaky murders.
You can grab a physical copy of Hitman 3 on PS5 for $60 right now on Amazon, which includes free access to the PS4 version with PSVR support. But if you only have a PS4 or only care about playing in VR, you could instead grab it for just PS4 for $10 off at only $50 right now, a price drop that just happened two days ago on January 16th.
Hitman 3 releases on January 20th. Let us know if you plan on diving in this week!
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Hitman Developers Are Overhauling Physics And Interactions For VR Support
During a recent developer discussion video on Twitch, IO Interactive shared details on how they’re changing and adapting physics interactions for Hitman VR on PSVR.
You can watch the entire half-hour long developer discussion video embedded above. The highlights include details regarding new physics interactions like being able to tap NPCs on the shoulder to get their attention, reactions to things like slapping them in the face, and even the ability to throw weapons.
In the original games NPCs would look for your torso to detect your location, but now due to the PSVR headset tracking and the DualShock 4 being tracked from the lightbar, they can see your head and hands. This should make things a lot more immersive so you can literally duck behind things.
We’ve already seen a bit of gameplay that you can watch in this developer diary video. After the most recent developer discussion there are certainly lots of possibilities you can imagine for how these things could be used to get even more creative during missions.
Previously we found out Hitman VR would be gamepad only and exclusive to PSVR, at launch. During the discussion embedded above they mentioned there is no news to share on PC VR support, at present, but it sounds like it’s still in the cards for the future. The same goes for PS Move — the developers haven’t completely ruled it out for post-launch support. They also confirmed the new first-person view is a VR only perspective.
Do you think Hitman 3 VR (and eventually Hitman 1 and 2 in VR) will be big releases for the PSVR? Why or why not? Let us know down in the comments below!
Best VR Stealth Games: Sneaky Picks For Quest, PSVR, And PC VR
Our list of the best VR stealth games is stepping out of the shadows to help you on your next sneaking mission.
Stealth is one of those genres that seems like a perfect fit for VR. The ability to physically hide around corners, distract enemies by making noises and then knock them out when they get close feels incredibly empowering, and one of the best expressions of how the medium can enhance traditional games.
But making a good, comprehensive VR stealth game is incredibly hard; not only do you have to accommodate all those elements, you have to make sure enemy AI doesn’t fold under the weight of these systems. This list of the 10 best VR stealth games definitely isn’t free of those issues, but they’re all encouraging signs developers are getting closer to nailing the perfect experience.
As always, you can find these titles on the Oculus Quest store, SteamVR and PlayStation Store depending on the platforms they’re on.
Best VR Stealth Games
10. Republique VR – Quest, PSVR, PC VR
Republique might not make the most exciting use of VR, but you can’t deny that it’s a good stealth game in its own right. Camouflaj first dived into VR with this port of its third-person episodic series, which borrows liberally from Metal Gear Solid and other series. There are some neat features here for the VR version and the campaign’s quite lengthy, but this is definitely more your traditional stealth experience that just happens to be playable in VR, putting it at the tenth spot of our best VR stealth games list.
9. The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Quest, PSVR, PC VR
Though it might be one of the overall best games on this list, Saints & Sinners scores towards the high end of our top ten given that its stealth is only one small part of the overall experience. The option to sneak through enemy encampments and avoid walkers definitely has tactical advantages and works pretty well, too. Ultimately, though, it’s more fun to stab zombies than it is evade them, so Saints & Sinners comes near the start of our best VR stealth games list.
8. Panther VR – PC VR
Panther VR is a hugely ambitious stealth game that aims to let players pick and choose how they navigate through its levels. And developer Wolfdog Interactive has certainly proven its commitment to the Early Access release in the past year, having released plenty of updates to help improve the gameplay. We’re looking forward to Panther’s full release, which is when we’ll really be able to judge if it can climb the ranks of the best VR stealth games.
7. Arashi: Castles of Sin – PSVR
It’s not quite VR’s answer to Tenchu, but Arashi: Castles of Sin still offers around five hours of rock-solid sneaking, tasking players with taking down six Japanese warlords. Open level design gives you some say in how to get from point A to B, and a range of weapons can make for some intentive scenarios. Plus, Arashi features VR’s goodest dog, who can distract enemies on command. Sold.
6. Jurassic World Aftermath – Quest
Jurassic World is definitely on the short side (a second part is still to come later down the line), but what’s already here works really well. Remember the classic kitchen scene from the original Jurassic Park? This is basically that incredibly tense moment stretched across an entire game, asking players to sneak through environments and avoid becoming dino-food. Once the second part arrives we’re hopeful this’ll rank higher on our best VR stealth games list.
5. Espire 1: VR Operative – Quest, PSVR, PC VR
Of all the games inspired by Metal Gear Solid on this list, Espire 1 is definitely the most blatant. The game directly lifts a lot of the key features first established in MGS2 but finds new use from them in VR. You can actually say ‘Freeze’ into your headset’s microphone to hold up enemies, for example, and then knock them out cold with the end of your gun. Weak enemy AI holds the game back from being something really special, but we’re hoping to see this franchise expand with a stronger sequel in the future.
4. Sniper Elite VR – Quest, PSVR, PC VR
Like Saints & Sinners, stealth is really only an option in Sniper Elite VR, but it’s much more intrinsic to the gameplay. When you’re not nestled up in a sniper nest you’re crawling past enemies, scoring headshots with silenced pistols and trying to make it as far into a level as possible before the game’s up. And by building on its work with the existing series, Sniper managed to be a consistent, comprehensive and fair stealth experience. It’s an easy pick for one of the best VR stealth games, then.
3. Hitman 3 VR – PSVR
Once again, stealth is merely an option in the Hitman series but, whereas Sniper Elite and Walking Dead emphasize action first, Agent 47 is all about sticking to the shadows and fighting back only when absolutely necessary. Adopting a first-person perspective for the first time completely changes the sneaking in IO’s iconic series, making every careful lean from behind the corner a potential run-ruining decision. But it really gives you the feeling of sneaking through areas you shouldn’t be in, making it one of the best VR stealth games.
2. Phantom: Covert Ops – Quest, PC VR
Lots of VR stealth games aim to give players an expansive set of tools to play with. The result is something that’s often a fun sandbox, but crumbles when you expect enemies to properly react to your discovery. Phantom is a smartly constrained experience in that sense – not only is the kyack-based gameplay completely immersive, but it keeps enemies at a distance and makes their reactions much more believable. Add in some great weapons and inventive use of the game’s sole location, and Phantom: Covert Ops remains one of the best VR stealth games to date.
1. Budget Cuts 1 + 2 – PC VR, PSVR (Budget Cuts 1 only)
Budget Cuts 1 may have launched with some problems but Neat Corp has addressed a lot of those issues over time and, more importantly, worked with Fast Travel Games to greatly expand on its premise in Budget Cuts 2. This is VR stealth at its physical best: teleportation-based movement that gives the world context without breaking immersion, skill-dependent gameplay that leaves you feeling lethally effective in your best moments and an utter clutz in your worst, and tongue-in-cheek humor that makes this one of VR’s funniest games. For that reason, the Budget Cuts series finds itself at the top of our best VR stealth games list.
What did you make of our list of the best VR stealth games? Let us know in the comments below!
David Hayter Teases Phantom: Covert Ops In New Trailer Ahead Of Release
Kayaking stealth game Phantom: Covert Ops is out on Oculus headsets on June 25th and the iconic voice of David Hayter (aka Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid) is here to tease the game one last time before release.
Hayter voices the villain General Zhurov, an ex-Soviet running the rogue Cold War-era naval installation that players infiltrate by kayak. Hayter teased the Oculus Studios game from nDreams in the UploadVR Showcase. Check out the latest trailer here:
While the premise might sound like a bit of a stretch we’ve played early versions of the game on a number of occasions and remain impressed by just how immersive it feels. You’ll find yourself carefully inserting your oar into the water and navigating through tight channels at just the time to avoid detection and reaching for the right weapon to take care of the task at hand.
Here’s how Jamie Feltham described it in a recent write up:
Sitting in a chair and using motion controls to paddle through reeds, taking one end of an oar to push yourself off from a wall, or grabbing a side and pulling yourself into position; all of this feels distinctly convincing in a way we don’t normally experience. It’s equal parts authentic and intuitive, offering truly human-powered movement mostly without the strange disconnect that comes from moving your virtual self while your real self stays in one place. I only say mostly as I don’t believe that contrast will ever completely vanish in any VR game for current systems, but it’s certainly diminished here. Plus constant paddling is, quite rightly, a bit of a workout.
Phantom: Covert Ops is out on Rift and Quest on June 25th.
Check out every trailer, article, announcement, interview, and more from the UploadVR Showcase right here.
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VR Stealth Game Panther VR Surprise Launches In Early Access Today
Here’s a sneaky surprise straight out of the Upload VR Showcase: Summer Edition – Panther VR hits Early Access today.
Developer Wolfdog Interactive announced the news with a new trailer. Panther VR was successfully crowd-funded last year and promised for a spring/summer 2020 Early Access release. In the game, you play as a member of a guild of master thieves that steals from elite corporations. Check out the trailer below.
As you can see, Panther VR promises a stealth sandbox inspired by games like Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell. You can stick to the shadows, hiding bodies from view, but you’ll also have an expansive aresnal of tools and weapons like remote mines and high-powered rifles. How you get the job done is up to you. Don’t miss the ending for another excellent easter egg, too. This isn’t the only Solid surprise in the Showcase, either.
In Early Access, Panther VR offers a few maps to take out heists in, plus a hub world to hang out in. Over the course of Early Access, Wolfdog plans to add new levels, weapons and mechanics to the experience. The full version of the game is aiming for release sometime in 2021.
Panther VR is available on PC VR headsets via SteamVR. No word yet on possible ports to Oculus Quest and PSVR, though we’d imagine it will be some time before there’s any news to share there. We’ve got plenty more news to share during the Upload VR Showcase: Summer Edition, so stay tuned!
The post VR Stealth Game Panther VR Surprise Launches In Early Access Today appeared first on UploadVR.
Learn The Panther VR Release Date At The Upload VR Showcase: Summer Edition
There’s a sneaky surprise waiting for you in the Upload VR Showcase: Summer Edition on June 8th. We’ll be revealing the Panther VR release date.
Yes, developer Wolfdog Interactive will be making its Showcase debut with its anticipated VR-exclusive stealth game. Panther VR sees players embody an elite agent, sneaking into top-secret facilities to steal from powerful corporations. The game caught our eye last year with its sandbox approach to stealth that reminds us of both Splinter Cell and Metal Gear Solid.
Fans will know that Panther VR passed a Kickstarter campaign last year and is on its way to Steam Early Access. Come the Showcase, you’ll know exactly when it’s stepping out of the shadows.
But, wait, what is an Upload VR Showcase? Simple! Our Showcases offer you a glimpse into the future of VR gaming and more. We’ll announce new games and reveal the latest news about your most anticipated titles. This year we’re showing off over 20 VR experience, with a little something for everyone. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
Also confirmed for this year’s show is the next look at sci-fi stunner, Low-Fi, the reveal of a new game from Apex Construct developer Fast Travel Games, and a first look at an intriguing social VR experience called Play Bunker. We’ll have plenty more to tease in the coming days, so make sure to keep an eye out and be back here on June 8th! What are you hoping to see? Let us know in the comments below!
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Phantom: Covert Ops Hits Quest + Rift In Late June
Summer just got sneakier; the Phantom: Covert Ops release date is here, and it’s coming to the Oculus Quest and Rift platforms on June 25.
Phantom: Covert Ops Release Date Revealed
Facebook confirmed the news as part of its Game Developers Showcase taking place in lieu of GDC this week. Phantom will be releasing on both platforms at the same date, which is good news considering other Oculus Studios-published projects like Lies Beneath are releasing on Quest first. Phantom had originally been aiming to release late last year but, obviously, that didn’t quite happen. It’s already available to wishlist on both the Quest and Rift stores, though.
Phantom is a promising stealth game in which players infiltrate a hostile facility by kayak. Over the course of the game, you’ll paddle downstream, avoiding spotlights, taking cover in reeds and picking off enemies from afar. The game has a full campaign, too. Check out the new trailer below, which shows Oculus Rift gameplay and promises plenty of explosions. It’s captured on Rift but, rest assured, the exact same content is on Quest.
We’ve been hands-on with the game a few times now and we’ve got high hopes for it. The kayak setup makes for a perfectly immersive experience, with little to remind you of the real world. What remains to be seen is just how well the game can retain that immersion throughout the campaign, and how other elements like the AI — a sticking point for a lot of VR stealth games — hold up.
Are you happy with the Phantom: Covert Ops release date? Or do you wish it was arriving sooner? Let us know in the comments below!
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