Stealth Sections in Games Can Just Go Away

Kim at GameSpew: I had a great time playing Call of Cthulhu over the weekend, until my arch-nemesis of video games reared its ugly head: the stealth section.

[ArchangelMike]

I disagree actually. I love stealth sections in games, well, most stealth sections in games. The problem alot of the times is the absolutely terrible implementation of stealth tropes and poor gameplay mechanics. This ranges from abysmal camera views, poor A.I., artificial restrictions on the player (taking away weapons and/or abilities previously available to the player), and auto fail/restart sequences when you get caught, or being unable to return to a state of stealth when discovered.

When games do it right though, it can be very rewarding and fun.

[HaveSumNuts]

I totally agree with you bro, stealth done right is amazing. The best example I can give is the "Ghillies in the Mist" mission from Call of Duty 4. Mind you this is an FPS action game with only 1 stealth mission and it is generally agreed upon that this is the most memorable and enjoyable mission of the whole game. So stealth done right can be the best mission in any type of game

[zsquaresoff]

Just because you suck at them doesn't mean they need to go away. Get better or go play something else.

[FunAndGun]

They are not hard, just boring. I bought an action game, not a crouch in the shadows, tip toe, lame avoidance game. They are the easiest and cheesiest segments of any game hands down. I think that's why I despise them, they insult good game design.

[psuedo]

We need a reboot of Tenchu.

[pietro1212]

Facts!

[_FantasmA_]

Syphon Filter! And Chaos Theory 2!

[Nacho_Z]

I don't like them either, especially when they're shoehorned in as a way to lengthen the game but don't fit the rest of the gameplay. Stealth focused games are fine because I can avoid them by not buying them.

I used to love MGS1 on the PS1 but I dunno what's happened, over the years I can be arsed less and less to sneak around. Most horror games with no means to fight back leave me bored, gave up on Soma when I realised I had no enthusiasm to hide in the first encounter you have with a monster. Resi 7 was great though I was on edge the whole time.

[knickstr]

Modern warfare had the best stealth mission. When properly executed they are really fun.

[McMahonme7]

Stealth sections like Assassin's Creed, Spider-Man, and all the other hamfisted version need to disappear sure, but it's awesome if done right. Aka Call of Duty 4

[pietro1212]

I love stealth segments in games when they actually good. A lot of times they tend to be poorly implemented.

[Tankbusta40]

I like stealth sections if the game is based around them, however; if 90% of the game you can murder anyone in broad daylight at your leisure...stealth sections often seemed forced and tacked on(looking at your early Assassins Creed)

[Immorals]

I despise random stealth levels in otherwise action games. If its made as a stealth game, then fair enough, but it makes my blood boil tk have them randomly thrown in. The only part I hated during the Spiderman main story was the stealth sections

[Hedstrom]

I love it it if its optional and a part of the game mechanics. Its kind of a drag if the entire game is run and gun and then there is one stage where there is stealth and its game over if you fail. As with most things it depends on how it is done!

[bigmalky]

I like stealth sections though. So do many others.

Play something else.

[CYALTR]

Personally I agree with the author. I don't think that he is really saying that this is a problem for anyone but himself, but I'm sure many will agree with the opinion and many will not. It is an opinion piece afterall!!

I wish more games would handle "missions" like GTA 5. If you went through a mission 3 times and failed, it gives the option to skip the mission and move the story forward. You obviously don't get the experience or loot you would have, but it moves the story along. I can't count the number of games I haven't finished because I get to a mission I just can't finish. This is usually due to my piss poor skills, but it is a shame not to be able to finish a game that you otherwise enjoy just because of one stupid mission. Sorry of I got a bit OT

[UnSelf]

Read a book. Games are meant to be challenging

[EazyC]

I think it has stagnated partially thanks to a total lack of AI innovation this gen. I hope the next Splinter Cell really breaks the mould on this by making AI behave in a more realistic fashion, and not the 'cone of vision' thing. Even Chaos Theory had a quite-advanced implementation of how sound affected your level of detection.

[ninsigma]

Love stealth sections. Often not created very well though unfortunately .

[AK91]

What? Why?

[Takwin]

My two least favorite things in the normal RPG or action-adventure are stealth components and anything where you lose your abilities or weapons for some reason.

I don't like stealth in games that aren't stealth, but I always despise every game that takes away your abilities or skills or weapons for some forced story reason. I don't care how legitimate it is, I hate them and find them unfun, which is the opposite reason why I've played video games for 35 years.

[nibblo]

It all depends if it's implemented well. In Cod WWII the section infiltrating the Nazi building in France was great and gave a reprieve from the run and gun. Like anything though it all depends on how it's done but there are some people who just hate it no matter what and even if it is implemented to a high level they will hate it. I ignore those people and hope they have no influence on future game design.

[PhantomS42]

Depends on how they were designed.

[BenRC01]

You can go away with your boring opinion.