5 Best Video Games Like Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell

Each time the Tom Clancy branding surfaces, it is eternally linked with fashionable tactical motion, particularly with video video games. Among the many most prolific titles bearing the best-selling creator’s identify is “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell,” which debuted in 2002. The sequence stars Sam Fisher, an NSA operator who takes on numerous clandestine missions all over the world. These video games place a heavy emphasis on stealth gameplay, with gamers sneaking by means of the shadows moderately than getting into weapons blazing.

Whereas Ubisoft confirmed a “Splinter Cell” remake was in improvement in 2021, there’s been little substantial information about that mission since then. Within the meantime, we’re highlighting video games which can be comparable in both tone or gameplay to the adventures of Sam Fisher. These are video games that additionally favor stealth or present their very own twist on modern tactical motion with international stakes. 

Listed below are the 5 greatest video video games like “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell,” every value attempting subsequent.

The “Steel Gear” franchise began out as a top-down motion sport for the Japanese MSX dwelling pc in 1987. When creator Hideo Kojima revived the franchise in 1998 on the unique PlayStation, it was rebranded “Steel Gear Stable” whereas that includes a 3D presentation. Happening six years after the previous title on the entire “Metal Gear” timeline, the sport has particular forces operator Stable Snake referred to as out of retirement on a brand new mission. Snake infiltrates a nuclear weapons facility on a distant Alaskan island taken over by terrorists, together with the mysterious Liquid Snake.

Whereas stealth components had been at all times a part of the “Steel Gear” expertise, the shift to 3D makes this strategy far more saliently realized. The extent of element, together with avoiding making noise and utilizing area-appropriate hiding supplies, is improved upon significantly. The sport’s fight mechanics are additionally impressively staged, actually highlighted through the boss battles punctuating the story. A game that proves 1998 was the best year in gaming, “Steel Gear Stable” introduced its franchise to new heights.

Not all stealth video games must be inside modern settings, after all, and “Thief: The Darkish Venture” turns these sensibilities medieval. Launched in 1998, the sport’s protagonist is a burglar named Garrett in a fantasy steampunk metropolis whose heists goal the wealthy and highly effective. This results in Garrett uncovering a conspiracy involving darkish magic that places the destiny of the realm within the steadiness. Performed from a first-person perspective, the sport has Garrett rely closely on stealth, snuffing out lights, distracting guards, and covertly dispatching these in his manner.

“Thief: The Darkish Venture” is an ambitiously rendered sport, utilizing every little thing from dynamic lighting to environmental results to find out stealth. Every part from terrain varieties to the presence of our bodies and blood stains can provide Garrett away, making gamers suppose twice over the way to proceed. The extent design is appropriately labyrinthine, placing gamers on edge as they arrive round each nook and attempt to evade enemies. A powerful begin to the sequence, “Thief: The Darkish Venture” will hold gamers sticking to the shadows in the event that they wish to succeed.

Admittedly, 1999’s “Syphon Filter” for the unique PlayStation is the sport on right here that comes with the least quantity of stealth motion, however it aligns with “Splinter Cell” tonally. The sport follows particular agent Gabe Logan as he battles a terrorist syndicate all over the world along with his accomplice Lian Xing. The sport is primarily performed from a third-person shooter perspective to ship its tactical motion thrills in numerous international set items. Whereas a lot of the sport options extra overt motion, there are stealth sequences all through the expertise that earn it a spot right here.

Curiously, “Syphon Filter” is a game that takes place in the same universe as “Splinter Cell,” albeit extra as a tangential Easter egg. There’s a shared sensibility there, with each titles delving into the world of spycraft and particular forces thrills. The sport itself is an underrated third-person motion title launched late within the PS1’s lifecycle that spawned a small sequence. However that first sport has a stronger emphasis on stealth than its sequels, even when it feels a bit rougher across the edges, aligning with the intent of this checklist.

One other steampunk fantasy entry on this checklist, “Dishonored” seems like a non secular successor to the “Thief” sequence. The 2012 sport can be performed from a first-person perspective, options open-ended stage design, and strongly encourages gamers to proceed stealthily by means of missions. The mythology in the “Dishonored” series unfolds within the industrial metropolis of Dunwall, with royal bodyguard Corvo Attano framed for the homicide of the empress. Turning into an murderer, Corvo tries to uncover those that framed him for the assassination whereas creating his magical talents.

Benefiting from its steampunk setting, “Dishonored” contains a distinct atmosphere to discover and loads of devices at Corvo’s disposal to get the job performed. The sport’s emphasis on stealth is so strongly developed that gamers can full complete missions with out killing a single enemy character in the event that they select. The fantasy components are seamlessly integrated into the expertise as nicely, feeding into the RPG gameplay as gamers develop stronger as they progress. A sumptuously developed fantasy stealth sport, the primary “Dishonored” title continues to be an under-appreciated gem nicely value revisiting.

When IO Interactive relaunched its “Hitman” sequence in 2016, it enhanced the sandbox gameplay that the franchise was recognized for whereas sustaining its penchant for third-person stealth motion. Initially merely titled “Hitman,” the sport was rebranded and packaged with its two subsequent sequels beneath the compilation “Hitman: World of Assassination.” The sport reintroduces protagonist Agent 47 as he embarks on clandestine missions all over the world killing high-profile targets on behalf of a line of shoppers. The story continues on within the 2018 and 2021 sequels, as Agent 47 pursues the mysterious Shadow Consumer whereas nonetheless finishing assassination contracts.

The “Hitman” sequence has actually grow to be one of many premier stealth sport properties because it debuted in 2000. The 2016 revival actually heightened the quantity of freedom provided to gamers for every mission whereas retaining the lethally open-ended allure the sequence was recognized for. This was improved upon with every passing entry, and the “World of Assassination” assortment brings these titles collectively in a full-on celebration of the franchise. With “Hitman,” gamers can conceal in plain sight as they perform globe-trotting contracts deep within the coronary heart of darkness.