People tend to have mixed opinions on surprise stealth sections in their favorite games. Some say that they act as an unwelcome addition that halts the gameplay they love, while others say that the sections add an additional challenge to the various mechanics that they’ve already mastered during their adventure.
Regardless of where you stand, it’s hard to deny there have been some fun surprise stealth sections throughout the history of gaming. While some are great for the surprisingly tight stealth sections, others are great because of the flexibility and humor offered to those that may have difficulty with sneaking around.
10 Final Fantasy 15
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Most people probably don’t think of RPGs when they think of stealth, but that’s never stopped the genre from trying it out. Unfortunately, it doesn’t usually turn out the best, but one of the most entertaining is from Final Fantasy 15.
While the section itself isn’t anything amazing, the thing that makes it so great is what can happen. If you wind up giving a poor performance of stealth, the characters will simply decide it’s time to get loud instead. To many, it was a good solution to a section that may have not been welcome to all.
9 Hotline Miami
Anyone who’s played Hotline Miami knows that it's a pretty bombastic experience all of the way through. Because of that very fact, a lot of people were probably surprised by the sudden stealth level that leaves you almost entirely helpless.
The experience doesn’t last all that long, something that many players were thankful for. Trauma can be a tough level to figure out, but once you know what to do, it only takes a couple of minutes to make it to safety. While some were frustrated by its inclusion, many appreciated the welcome change in pace.
8 Spider-Man PS4
For years, people have wanted a chance to play portions of a Spider-Man game as either Miles Morales or Mary Jane Watson, and Spider-Man PS4 gave players both. Both characters act as stealth sections in the game in a variety of instances.
For some, the sections broke the pace of the game a bit, but for others, seeing someone like MJ taking control of a situation for herself was empowering. All of the sections are simple in nature, but the further you get, the more patience and strategy are required.
7 Saints Row 4
The stealth section in Saints Row 4 is a bright spot in the jam-packed game. There’s plenty of great humor, but it uses its stealth section as a way to poke fun at some of the most famous stealth games of all time.
Saints Row 4 is exactly the kind of game that would have you asking why you would bother shooting out a light when you could just shoot an enemy, something that works perfectly in execution. The short section doesn’t overstay its welcome, making the joke a lot of fun.
6 The Breath Of The Wild
When players found out they could explore just about everywhere in Breath of the Wild, they likely didn’t expect to end up exploring the base of a clan of ninjas in a stealth section. In a game that tried just about everything to see what did and didn’t work, the section was a welcome addition.
Something that makes it so much fun is that there are some unique ways to take it on. Even in the midst of the stealth section, there are still secrets that can be found. Using something as simple as bananas to your advantage can help you remain undetected was a funny surprise.
5 Chrono Trigger
If players were big fans of Ayla in Chrono Trigger, they may not have ever even known there was a stealth section in the game. During the Blackbird escape, there is a bit of a stealth section, but only if the prehistoric fighter isn’t in your party.
Sneaking around to find your gear is a fun way to break up the gameplay. Even earlier on, it could be said that Chrono’s prison break is a bit of a stealth section as you can avoid many of the fights that are present in that area.
4 Skyward Sword
You could call the Silent Realm portions of Skyward Sword stealth sections, but you could also call them the most anxiety-inducing sections in Zelda history. Knowing your way around and knowing the location of everything you need will make the sections simple, but no less stressful
If you are playing the game for the first time, it’s almost guaranteed that you will trigger the Watchers to rush after you. The Zelda series has a lot of little stealth sections, but to many, this one is the absolute best of them all.
3 Far Cry 4
Everyone knows that the Far Cry series is filled with action, so it may have been a bit of a surprise to find two different stealth sections in Far Cry 4. One section sees you escaping a prison, and the other sees you sneaking through a city.
Both sections are challenging and tough in their own unique way, but you can eventually get loud during the prison break. Both are instances of first-person shooters doing stealth sections in the best possible way and many fans were grateful for their inclusion, as a breath of fresh air.
2 Life Is Strange
One of the tensest and creepiest stealth sections in a non-stealth game comes from Life Is Strange. The circumstances surrounding the late-game stealth section are intense, and best experienced without any spoilers, but you should know that it is a tough section.
You have to remain patient and be ready to utilize your ability to rewind time at a moment's notice, but be ready to fail a few times. The seriousness of the situation will give you enough resolve to do everything you can to help Max get to safety once and for all.
1 BioShock Infinite: Burial At Sea - Episode 2
The BioShock series has been a lot of things over the years, but most people wouldn’t include the word stealthy when describing it. When BioShock Infinite released some DLC to flesh out its story, fans were treated to a stealth-based story where you play as Elizabeth.
It’s another story that is best experienced without knowing much about it, but sneaking through rapture is a tense experience. With unique weapons and vigors to try out, the DLC is one of the best instances of the usually maligned downloadable content.