stealth games Archives

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

The director of the best Splinter Cell game reckons that modern lighting engines are making stealth games ‘so much harder to read’

The stealth gaming genre has shifted from emphasizing the intricate interplay of light and shadow to focusing more on lines of sight. Clint Hocking, director of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, notes that advancements in lighting technology, such as the transition to softer shadows and ray-tracing models, have changed how players perceive stealth mechanics. The recent release of Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow marks a return for the series after over a decade, though it has received mixed reviews. Additionally, Thick as Thieves offers a cooperative stealth experience but in a simplified format. The future of stealth gaming will depend on how developers balance innovative lighting with the core elements of stealth gameplay.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

It’s my own fault for thinking Warren Spector’s new multiplayer stealth game adding singleplayer would make it the Thief successor I was hoping for

Thick as Thieves is a first-person stealth game featuring minimalist controls and hand-drawn map designs. The game combines elements of technology and magic, with Scottish-accented guards who discuss light. Players navigate Elway Manor's basement, encountering marked areas that hint at mysteries. The game includes responsive guards who react to player actions, such as extinguishing candles. Originally intended as a PvPvE experience, it has shifted to a single-player and co-op format, currently lacking features like key rebinding and offering only two maps. Otherside refers to this release as the first chapter, resembling an early access title. The game is priced attractively, leading to consideration for co-op play despite its limitations.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Battlefield 6 ‘seasons’ should be big moments, but they’re not, and it’s because EA keeps drip-feeding us like hamsters in a cage

A reflection on the evolution of stealth games highlights the excitement surrounding Battlefield 6, with EA announcing seven new maps, including a remake of Wake Island and the return of naval warfare. The complexities of live service updates create challenges for developers, as exact release dates are often kept secret, leading to player uncertainty. The FPS "season" resembles past expansions but without the associated costs, and the timing for players to re-engage is often just before a season ends. There is a suggestion that increasing the number of maps released each season could enhance player experience, contrasting with competitors like Call of Duty. The author expresses a sporadic engagement with Battlefield 6 after investing over 80 hours, drawn to other shooters in the vast gaming landscape.