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[ChoosableOne]

There's been a lot of talk lately about how bad the stealth mechanics in Stalker 2 are(which is true). Today I watched a video about MGS 5, which is widely regarded as one of the best stealth games by many(which is true).



I wonder, have these mechanics always been this bad, or is there actually a game that can deliver them with truly outstanding AI?

 

[Fess]

Realistic stealth don’t exist. And it would probably be boring as gameplay if it did exist. I’ve accepted the stupidness of it just like double jump, it’s just another gameplay mechanic.

That said, I always liked how advanced old Splinter Cell felt when you could shoot lamps and use wire cameras and hide above enemies.

 

[LectureMaster]

 

[Optimus Lime]

Theif 2 was pretty good.

 

[Cakeboxer]

I think Thief 2, the old Hitmans, Dishonored, Phantom Pain and Alien Isolation have solid stealth.

But anything is better than that Sony/Ubisoft and 90% of the other open world "stealth" mechanics.

 

[SweetTooth]

Metal Gear Solid 2

 

[RagnarokIV]

MGSV was a downgrade in many ways.

As seen in the video, guards don’t react to shadows in anyway despite your shadow passing through his in front of his eyes.
There’s also the instant alerts ala MGS1 which is a massive step back from individual alerts needing the radio or to call the rest of the team.

My choice would be the original Splinter Cell games.

 

[Paasei]

Thief 2
Hitman series
Old Splinter Cell
Deus Ex
MGS

All pretty good stealth mechanics in those and I’d wager similar in AI. As the first reply states: Realistic stealth doesn’t exist in games and would probably be boring.

 

[Mozzarella]

Kojima games tend to be overrated, say for example the game did 1 thing right? they will hype the game for 20 years.
In reality all MGS games never had that good AI and they always neglect sound detection, i could walk and circle around enemies and they won't react in MGS2 and MGS 3.

As for the stealth game with the best AI i really have no idea what to pick, the new Hitman was great but would i call it the best AI? not really.
I also played most of the classics, not really what i would call best AI, but Thief implement sound detection and elements around it which was neat, SC about lighting and Hitman about social stealth, Commandos games were also good.

I think this is one of the fields that upcoming games can innovate in, as AI technology is improving at a rapid rate.

Maybe MGS5 is actually one of the least worst when you think about it, because most games have things like that shown in the video, which makes it even more hilarious as Cyberpunk 2077 got butchered because it didn't have the most amazing super realistic AI ever.

 

[Ironman_Bad]

 

[hemo memo]

Realistic stealth don’t exist. And it would probably be boring as gameplay if it did exist. I’ve accepted the stupidness of it just like double jump, it’s just another gameplay mechanic.

This.

People think they want that. They don't.

 

[Big Baller]

 

[existensmaximum]

I hate it in games when you kill someone or steal something without witnesses, and people still attack you or the law starts to chase you and everyone seem to know you did it..

 

[missiles]

I remember the AI in Manhunt being well tuned for the game. The enemies felt dangerous and aware enough to be a real threat, which made taking them down with a fully charged execution all the more satisfying. Even when the game finally gave you pistols and rifles it was still a solid challenge.

What a game. Still an all-timer for me.

 

[Fess]

That title and the enemy is standing there twitching because you’re under something lol

Better than the usual third person stealth of hiding in high grass even though half your body is fully seen; Uncharted, Assassin’s Creed, Horizon. So dumb.

 

[SJRB]

Stealth game AI is never good and always exploitable and that’s the point.

If you made a stealth game with actual competent AI the player wouldn’t make it through the first level.

It’s about striking a balance where the AI is stupid but not too stupid to break immersion. A lot of work goes into figuring out logic the player has a level of freedom.

 

[Spukc]

stealth was never fucking good in games.

 

[xrnzaaas]

I think Thief 2, the old Hitmans, Dishonored, Phantom Pain and Alien Isolation have solid stealth.

But anything is better than that Sony/Ubisoft and 90% of the other open world "stealth" mechanics.

As much as I love Alien Isolation a lot of the stealth in this game is heavily orchestrated (and I accept that). The xenomorph is supposed to appear regularly to keep the tension, but avoid being thorough in its search for prey so that the player doesn't get stuck in one area. Plus when you get the flamethrower it becomes more a game of scaring it away, rather than relying entirely on avoiding detection.

 

[genesisblock]

The best type of AI, is the kind that gives you the impression that it's a living being. So far, F.E.A.R. is the undisputed king of immersive AI. It does exactly what it's supposed to do, give the player enough of a challenge yet still retain the "human" element of it.

 

[kindaGoth]

MGSV has the best stealth mechanics. The problem is the game also has the best combat mechanics and loses a lot of tension due to the overall game design.

 

[Gonzito]

I really like the AI in the latest entries of Sniper Elite, 4 and 5. The AI isn't perfect but its quite competent

 

[ThatPolishGuy]

Good but exploitable with old shool shadows mechanics Thief 2-3, Splinter Cell 3, might as well thrown in Dishonored 1-2 while I'm at it.

Realistic stealth, more reliable on cover mechanics Splinter Cell Blacklist and also Deus Ex HR and MD instead of Shadows.

 

[Skifi28]

I don't know if it's the best, but I've been replaying Last of Us 2 and the AI is just incredible at working together to corner you while also not being unrealistically "perfect" where the moment one guy spots you the entire camp knows your exact location. Their awareness level is tied to either following the sound of your gun or verbally communicating your last known position so you can slip back into stealth and use it against them. It just feels perfect.

 

[ThatPolishGuy]

I don't know if it's the best, but I've been replaying Last of Us 2 and the AI is just incredible at working together to corner you while also not being unrealistically "perfect" where the moment one guy spots you the entire camp knows your exact location. Their awareness level is tied to either following the sound of your gun or verbally communicating your last known position so you can slip back into stealth and use it against them. It just feels perfect.

Yeah, I forgot about TLOU.

 

[Cakeboxer]

As much as I love Alien Isolation a lot of the stealth in this game is heavily orchestrated (and I accept that). The xenomorph is supposed to appear regularly to keep the tension, but avoid being thorough in its search for prey so that the player doesn't get stuck in one area. Plus when you get the flamethrower it becomes more a game of scaring it away, rather than relying entirely on avoiding detection.

You are absolutely right with that, but it feels intense and entertaining the first time playing it while the stealth in Horizon, Days Gone etc. is a borefest right from the beginning.