# What are the great sniping - stalking - sneaking games? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 21, 2026, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284 "2026-05-21T14:33:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/1 "2026-05-21T14:33:04Z")
I’m sort of in between games right now. I recently played Atomfall and liked it a lot, then I was recommended the Metro series for its similar stalking game mechanics. I just finished the Metro trilogy and enjoyed it _very_ much. I find that I really enjoy that combo of sniping / stalking / sneaking-- coming up on an encampment of bad guys and deciding how best to take them out-- sniping off the lookouts with a scoped weapon, then running in and finishing off the rest guns blazing, or sneaking up on them one by one? I know there are a million of these types of games out there, but I have no idea what the really good ones are, especially the ones I would like. Some of my preferences are: - FPS- do not like 3rd person at all - No fantasy / magic games (sci-fi, OTOH, is good). I know there are a lot of classics in that genre, but they just don’t appeal to me right now. No games set in the distant past- I want to use a scoped sniper rifle at least part of the time. I guess that would eliminate the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ type games. Feel free to disabuse me of these notions, though! - I’m looking for bargains, or somewhat older games that are cheap on Steam. I got Atomfall on sale for $20-- that’s probably as high as I’d want to go on a single game. I don’t mind playing older, classic games that are cheap-- in fact, as a relatively new (5ish years) gamer, I enjoy catching up with the older classics like Half Life 2, or the aforementioned Metro series, and they are all dirt cheap on Steam. - Doesn’t have to be complicated, but with at least a bit of story and strategy-- not just a mindless constant dodge 'n shoot, like a ‘Doom’. So, any and all recommendations are welcome and appreciated! Even, like I say, feel free to tell me “I know you said you don’t like (X) genre, but you should really try…” ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/2 "2026-05-21T14:52:14Z")
I’m into similar games. Although I’ve just started it, _Hitman_ appears to be promising on the stealth/stalk side of things. I haven’t seen a sniper rifle yet, but I would assume sniping will come into play. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/3 "2026-05-21T14:55:08Z")
Do a sneaky sniper build in one of the modern Fallout games; 3 & NV are currently $20 on Steam for the complete package, the base game for 4 as well. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/4 "2026-05-21T15:00:24Z")
There’s a separate “Sniper Challenge mode” in Hitman. There are sniper rifles in the game, but that’s the dedicated sniper mode. Dishonored 1 & 2 were good games. Futuristic steampunk aesthetic. First person stealth. Sniper Ghost Warrior: Contracts is a decent take on a modern commando-style FPS stealth game. Somewhat gadget heavy. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/5 "2026-05-21T15:07:19Z")
> [@Disinfectus](#): > > _Hitman_ appears to be promising on the stealth/stalk side of things. Which Hitman version are you playing? I see there are several different versions on Steam with widely varying review ratings. > [@Skywatcher](#): > > Do a sneaky sniper build in one of the modern Fallout games Thanks, but I’m a little Fallouted out right now-- I have FO3, FNV, and FO4, and I’ve played FO4 the most of any game, including a dozen or more added quest mods. I have had _plenty_ of sniping fun in FO4, I will say! > [@DCnDC](#): > > Sniper Ghost Warrior: Contracts Hmmm…I did play ‘Sniper’ (the original?) on my iPad several years ago, when my son was encouraging me to get into gaming, but I didn’t have a gaming PC at the time. I enjoyed the game a lot, but obviously an iPad is not the greatest gaming medium. Thanks, will look into it! ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/6 "2026-05-21T15:08:44Z")
_XIII_ (2003) is FPS ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/7 "2026-05-21T15:14:27Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Which Hitman version are you playing? I see there are several different versions on Steam with widely varying review ratings. Well, I bought all of them in a package deal, but the one that I’m playing (and like a lot so far) is _Hitman: World of Assassination._ Again though, I’m a newbie to this. Others may have better informed opinions of which of the games is the best. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/8 "2026-05-21T15:22:16Z")
> [@solost](#): > > > [@Skywatcher](#): > > > > Do a sneaky sniper build in one of the modern Fallout games > > Thanks, but I’m a little Fallouted out right now-- I have FO3, FNV, and FO4, and I’ve played FO4 the most of any game, including a dozen or more added quest mods. I have had _plenty_ of sniping fun in FO4, I will say! Okay, give Starfield a shot when it drops to your price level; one specific questline is all about the sneak and there are plenty of opportunities to use a scope in the entire game. [Has yet to drop below $41.](https://steambase.io/games/starfield/price) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/9 "2026-05-21T15:48:26Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Sniper Ghost Warrior: Contracts is a decent take on a modern commando-style FPS stealth game. Somewhat gadget heavy. OK, I took a look on Steam-- great-looking game from the video preview. Has stealth takedown mechanics…good, good. Price is definitely right at $3. The sheer amount of gadgetry and sniping mechanics to learn looks a bit daunting, but this is a strong contender for my next game, especially at the price. > [@DPRK](#): > > _XIII_ (2003) is FPS I didn’t see a 2003 version on Steam, just a 2020 release version. Reviews mixed to mostly negative. Not crazy about the comic book illustration style, but not a dealbreaker. $20 price is not bad. > [@Disinfectus](#): > > Well, I bought all of them in a package deal, but the one that I’m playing (and like a lot so far) is _Hitman: World of Assassination._ ‘Very Positive’ on Steam, and only $5.99-- Another strong contender for my next game. Thanks! > [@Skywatcher](#): > > Okay, give Starfield a shot when it drops to your price level; one specific questline is all about the sneak and there are plenty of opportunities to use a scope in the entire game. [Has yet to drop below $41.](https://steambase.io/games/starfield/price) Thanks, but I’ve heard a lot of not so great stuff about this game, including from @ParallelLines , whose gaming opinions I value highly. I’m sorry I keep shooting down (heh, no pun intended\*) all of your suggestions, but I do appreciate them! \* Aw, who am I kidding-- pun tolally intended ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/10 "2026-05-21T15:55:22Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Thanks, but I’ve heard a lot of not so great stuff about this game ISTM that much of the negative stuff is due to repetition, all the virtually empty planets and, well, Bethesda being Bethesda. Planets are _supposed_ to be virtually empty except in rare circumstances and mods help with the other two. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/11 "2026-05-21T16:04:08Z")
I remember a game way back on CD called “Splinter Cell”. It was one guy starting out with a single silenced handgun with no extra ammo. He had to silently infiltrate some facility. That’s all I remember. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/12 "2026-05-21T16:11:07Z")
I would have other suggestions but they’re not FPS. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/13 "2026-05-21T16:12:03Z")
You can certainly go heavily into stealth in Starfield, but it’s not going to work a lot of the time. There isn’t a lot of support for it built into the game. And I say that as someone who has tried to make it work. I wouldn’t recommend it specifically as a game to play if you specifically want to do the sniper/stealth gameplay. > [@Jasmine](#): > > I remember a game way back on CD called “Splinter Cell”. That’s a series of games, part of the Tom Clancy FPS game series. But the most recent game came out 13 years ago, so it might be a bit crude in terms of gameplay and graphics. On the other hand, it would probably be pretty budget-friendly! > **[Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Clancy%27s_Splinter_Cell)** > > Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell is a series of action-adventure stealth games, the first of which was released in 2002, and their tie-in novels that were endorsed by Tom Clancy. The series follows Sam Fisher, a highly trained agent of a fictional black-ops sub-division within the NSA, dubbed "Third Echelon", as he overcomes his adversaries. The games emphasize light and darkness as gameplay elements. > There have been six main games in the series: Splinter Cell (2002), Pandora Tomorrow (2004), Chaos ... Another Tom Clancy game I really enjoyed (FPS squad-based game) is Ghost Recon Wildlands. You are running around Bolivia with high-tech military weapons (and stuff like drones), and you can definitely do a lot of recon and sniping. That’s how I played the game. I’m going to put the trailer in because I think it’s really cool. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/WdJub3Kz2wI/maxresdefault.jpg "Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands Reveal Trailer – E3 2015 [Europe]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdJub3Kz2wI) Another game that I don’t see recommended yet is Cyberpunk 2077. It very much supports stealth gameplay. Not only can you snipe a whole group from afar, you can even infiltrate a security system and hack people from security cameras. In my last gameplay, I very rarely engaged anyone directly in combat the entire game. The Watch Dogs games are similar (particularly Watch Dogs 2), except I don’t remember there being an FPS option, so I don’t know if they qualify. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/14 "2026-05-21T16:15:39Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > The Watch Dogs games are similar (particularly Watch Dogs 2), except I don’t remember there being an FPS option, Not inherent but I gather there are mods for it. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/15 "2026-05-21T16:16:50Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Not inherent but I gather there are mods for it. I never considered that, but mods might fix that, yeah. 🙂 I played the games on Xbox. Particularly the second one, which I totally completed, and it ended up being one of my favorite games all-time. Oof, and I just realized Wildlands also doesn’t have first person natively, but that game certainly has mods to allow for it. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/16 "2026-05-21T16:19:50Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Dishonored 1 & 2 were good games. Futuristic steampunk aesthetic. First person stealth. Sorry, missed this suggestion on first pass. I just checked them out-- DH1 is ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ on Steam, and at $10 the price is good. I like the look / aesthetic. Seems overwhelmingly based on sword / knife based killing, though-- not a lot of long-distance options I saw on the vid preview, though I did get a glance at a crossbow. Crossbows are always fun. Not crazy about the ‘supernatural’ aspect, seems awfully close to fantasy, but a definite maybe overall. DH2 looks quite a bit more polished, graphics-wise. A bit pricey for a 2016 game at around $30, but if I liked 1, I’d pick up 2 in a Steam sale. > [@Atamasama](#): > > Another game that I don’t see recommended yet is Cyberpunk 2077. I’ve definitely had my eye on CP 2077, but it’s a little pricey on Steam right now. Maybe when their Summer sale kicks in. > [@Atamasama](#): > > The Watch Dogs games are similar (particularly Watch Dogs 2), except I don’t remember there being an FPS option, so I don’t know if they qualify. Yeah, and the WD games are also multiplayer, which I forgot to mention in my OP I’m really only into single player, at least for the time being. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/17 "2026-05-21T16:21:55Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > You can certainly go heavily into stealth in Starfield, but it’s not going to work a lot of the time. There isn’t a lot of support for it built into the game. And I say that as someone who has tried to make it work. I wouldn’t recommend it specifically as a game to play if you specifically want to do the sniper/stealth gameplay. That makes sense. It’s been a long time since I tried the sneaky stuff; only went back into it recently for the new DLC but have yet to do much there. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/18 "2026-05-21T16:22:57Z")
> [@solost](#): > > DH2 looks quite a bit more polished, graphics-wise. A bit pricey for a 2016 game at around $30, but if I liked 1, I’d pick up 2 in a Steam sale. I just bought it myself a few weeks ago, because it was deep-discounted, only $6 at the time. Steam Summer Sale should be coming sometime next month. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/19 "2026-05-21T16:23:01Z")
> [@solost](#): > > the WD games are also multiplayer … I’m really only into single player, Same here. I have the latter two WD games and disabled the multiplayer stuff in the options. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284/20 "2026-05-21T16:25:22Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Yeah, and the WD games are also multiplayer, which I forgot to mention in my OP I’m really only into single player, at least for the time being. They aren’t really multiplayer. There is the option to team up with people if you want, and by default there are “invasions” where another player can drop in to your game as a temporary antagonist, but the first one is opt-in and the second one can be disabled in settings. The games are set up mostly for solo play. I don’t even think the multiplayer really works very well because of that. EDIT: There are even “co-op missions” that you can do, which are designed to be done with a partner, but they are optional and you can even play them solo if you cancel the matchmaking request after starting the mission. > [@Skywatcher](#): > > That makes sense. It’s been a long time since I tried the sneaky stuff; only went back into it recently for the new DLC but have yet to do much there. I also don’t want to seem like I’m slamming on Starfield. I really like the game quite a bit and have put many hours into it. It’s just not the best for stealth stuff. For example, you might have to take on a swarm of tanky alien bugs, and once you snipe at one of them you suddenly have all of them aware of you and charging at you. It’s not easy to take out a whole area from the shadows, like one of the Batman Arkham games. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-great-sniping-stalking-sneaking-games/1030284.md?page=2)