We're big fans of stealth games here at Gameranx and our YouTube channel, but we also know they're pretty flawed at times. The above video lists 10 stealth game concepts that don't make sense.
We've all been there, you sneak into an enemy camp and there are two enemy grunts talking by a fire. You take one out and the other either just stands there or keeps talking.
Many games allow you to peak around the corner or over a ledge to see the enemy, who never notice your arm sticking out or your hands as you move along the ledge, the bad guys need better goons, or at least more observant ones.
Those times you follow a guard, and change direction as they do but of course, they don't notice, because aside from limited vision they're also deaf apparently, nor can feel your character standing right behind them.
Skyrim is particularly notorious for some stealth flaws, such as shooting an arrow through a guard's head. The other guard will notice and be on alert for a short time, before deciding it's "just the wind". Really?
Many games also feature guards who don't think it's odd that the other guards they've been seeing following a set patrol for the last hour have suddenly disappeared and don't bother to investigate.
Metal Gear Solid's cardboard box trick, which no one ever thinks is a bit odd.
Disguises don't often work as well as they should. Sometimes you'll dress up to infiltrate an enemy base but spend too long around a guard and they'll freak out, exposing you.
There are always those guards who you might throw a bottle at for instance, it bounces off them, and they go to investigate where the brick landed, not where it came from. Because that makes total sense.
Connected to many of these are forgetful guards, who investigate the death of one of their colleagues for a few seconds before deciding that you must be gone and resuming their regular patrols. The Batman Arkham games handle this very well, by making guards more nervous as you take out more of them.
The number one stealth game trend that doesn't make sense is cool kill animations for 'loud' hits, especially when the game penalises you for not killing them stealthily.
What's your favourite stealth game and what's the stupidest things you've ever seen in one? Sound off in the comments.
