Stealth gamescan be some of the most challenging and frustrating experiences in the medium. They require a lot of patience, as waiting is a large part of the gameplay and that is just not how everyone likes to play. However, most stealth games do allow players to tackle situations in their own way.
Unfortunately, there are noMetal Geargames on Xbox Game Pass currently, but that can change with time. The subscription service updates its roster on a monthly basis, so there is always a chance thatXbox Game Pass' stealth gamesselection will increase (or decrease). Check them out before they decide to sneak away.
Updated June 24, 2025:Pure stealth games are in relatively short supply on Xbox Game Pass, and none of the most recent additions highlight the feature. However, fans of the genre have a few options a their fingertips.
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A Way Outis a prison break scenario wherein two convicts try to escape and hide from the law thereafter. It is aco-op only game, meaning that another player has to be in control of the other character.
At its core, this is a puzzle game in which players have to figure out how to get through the next situation. That also means there is a lot of stealth involved from hiding in bushes to sneaking past security guards. The story should keep players on their toes as there are twists around every corner.
A Plague Tale: Innocencetook the stealth genre by storm when it was first released. Its sequel,A Plague Tale: Requiem, improves on all the original’s gameplay elements while simultaneously offering up an ambitious and exciting storyline.
Everything about this release, from its unique gameplay to its stellar voice-acting and sound design, will keep players hooked on the edge of their seats from the get-go. It may start off a little slow, but the action quickly ramps up and the latter half of the game is an incredible thrill ride that needs to be experienced by story-loving fans and stealth fans alike.
Assassin’s Creed Originswas the first gamein Ubisoft’s seriesto go full RPG. Players now had a huge map they could explore with side quests to tackle, ranked gear to collect, and levels to grind through.
The emphasis was more on the RPG elements and the exploration of Egypt. However, the core stealth DNA was still in the game. If players wished to eliminate enemies quietly, that was a viable plan. Overall, the game allowed for more gameplay styles to emerge.
Reminiscent ofResident Evil,The Evil Withingames are third-person shootersthat prioritize survival horror over action. The 2017 sequel opts against its predecessor’s more linear design in favor of a hub town peppered with NPCs, resources, and an impressive selection of nightmarish entities. While hardly defenseless, Sebastian has limited ammo and, more importantly, goes down relatively quickly if he attracts too much attention. Consequently, stealth is crucial.
In Union, noise is a death sentence, and players learn that quickly. Sebastian can silently maneuver around encounters to avoid detection, and most normal enemies can be killed with a surprise attack.The Evil Within 2even has sections detected solely to stealth, and these are generally among the campaign’s most intense sequences.
We Happy Fewdoes not have the greatest reputation, stemming from a launch version that struggled to meet expectations while also containing quite a few technical issues. Through its Kickstarter, the game garnered a lot of attention and hype thanks to a fantastic core concept. The idea of playing through aBioShock-style campaign set in aUtopian town with a ’60s aestheticwas enticing, as was its proposed focus on stealth and RPG elements. Unfortunately, the final (launch) project failed to hit the bullseye, resulting in a mixed experience defined by a few highs and several lows. Thankfully, Compulsion Games released a couple of updates to improveWe Happy Few’s performance, so the title is in a far better state nowadays than it was in 2018.
Featuring three playable characters, the players find themselves stuck in a terrifying town filled with some of the creepiest cops in gaming. The final goal is to escape, although there are plenty of main and optional quests to do along the way. Stealth is generally recommended since the combat system is not particularly fun, although the campaign becomes quite easy after a few hours. Unlike mostXbox Game Pass stealth games,We Happy Fewshould be played for its setting and story rather than its mechanics, the latter of which range from mediocre to poor. That said, it handles stealth better than action or survival, so there is at least that.
Batman, as a character, is like a ninja but with heavier gear.Batman: Arkham Knight, likeAssassin’s Creed Origins, was the most action-oriented entryin theArkhamseries. It introduced the Batmobile for a new style of gameplay that included racing and blowing stuff up.
Batman was still vulnerable though, and could only take so many hits before going down. Being a stealthy bat-like ninja and becoming one with the night was the best way to approach the game’s many missions.
Dishonoredwas another game that offered players a ton of options. Players could kill every enemy they ran into, guns akimbo metaphorically, but there was also a way to stealthily eliminate them. Enemies could be hypnotized to fall asleep, or weapons could take them down in nonlethal ways as well.
With tons of weapons and powers at the player’s disposal, one could go through the game several times and come out as if they played a new game each time. ThefirstDishonoredgameis still the best in the series, but the sequel is worth checking out and is on Xbox Game Pass too.
Similar toDishonored,Deathloopis another Arkane project that blends a few different genres. Utilizing a time-loop concept, players have to execute a string of kills in one day, and failure means starting from scratch. Essentially, the game is a roguelite as while replaying the mission serves as the campaign’s central gameplay loop, players are meant to use their experiences to guide their present actions. The protagonist, Colt, is also fully aware that he is stuck in a time loop, and he is investigating the cause.
Like most ofArkane’s games,Deathlooplets players approach scenarios in any way they see fit. Feel like going in guns blazing for one loop? Embrace it. Want to avoid detection and quietly kill everyone without raising the alarm? That is very much something that can be done. More often than not, stealth is not only possible but rewarded, although players must be prepared to leap into action at a moment’s notice. Unlike in traditional stealth games that punish detection with defeat, such an event inDeathloopjust means a change of tactics is required. The game is ultimately a first-person shooter, so stealth is just one tool in Colt’s arsenal.
Deathloop’s coolest element is arguably its PvP multiplayer. If another user is available, they will take control of a second assassin named Julianna who is tasked with taking out the main character. A fantastic concept that is well executed, this feature enhances a playthrough’s unpredictability since Julianna’s behavior and strategies will vary heavily depending on her controller. While engaging in an intense firefight with her can be a great deal of fun, the same can be said for a stealthy approach, especially since a single bullet can be enough to kill either assassin.
For the most part, Machine Games has done a fantastic job revitalizingWolfenstein.The New OrderandThe New Colossusunsurprisingly hog most of the limelight, and for good reason since they deliver unapologetically over-the-top stories (withawesomely detestable villains) and high-octane gameplay. Both of those titles support stealth playthroughs, so fans of the genre should keep them in mind if they want something to play.
Stuck in the middle of the two isThe Old Blood, a short but sweet prequel that features perhaps the silliest story in the trilogy, even if it is not quite as satisfying as the other two. Although not lacking in thrilling shootouts,The Old Bloodincorporates stealth more directly than its bigger siblings; in fact, certain sections are designed entirely around quietly crawling around enemies.Wolfensteingenerally handles stealth well and in a way that makes it a valid, if not necessarily superior option rather than just a novelty.
While never quite reaching the same heights as some other long-running stealth franchises,Sniper Elitehas steadily improved since making its debut in 2005. 2022’s fifth entry is arguably the strongest in the series, which largely comes down to its fairly impressive sense of scale and responsive movement. As Karl Fairburne, players will work their way through eight reasonably open levels as they attempt to sneak their way into positions that allow for some ruthless headshots.
Naturally, sniping and stealth go hand-in-hand, andSniper Elite 5gives Karl and, by extension, players a range of tools and weapons to facilitate both components. Although by no means perfect, the project is an enjoyable AA experience and easily ranks among thebest stealth games on Game Pass.
Payday 3had a mixed launch, garnering both praise for its gameplay advancements and criticism for its lack of content, especially compared to its predecessor. Although it is somewhat struggling to maintain a player base at the moment, with most people sticking toPayday 2, the game will presumably be around for years as it gradually accumulates updates that take it up to the next level. Still, considering it was among 2023’s most highly anticipated sequels,Payday 3failed to hit the ground running.
For all its flaws and earned criticisms, the release still gets quite a few things right.Payday 3’s gunplayis considerably better than in the second game, which should hardly be surprising considering the latter debuted in 2013. More importantly, the sequel expands the way players can approach heists by implementing a stealth system. Obviously, a lot of first-person shooters implement stealth in some form or another, but this mechanic is genuinely a game changer in the case ofPayday 3. As the whole point is to plan and execute heists, players should be allowed to tailor their schemes to suit their preferred play styles. InPayday 3, gangs can opt for the silent approach rather than just going in guns blazing. Since the gameplay loop revolves around replaying missions, an alternate method makes a world of difference.
Most modern adventure games seem to incorporate stealth to an extent, andRise of the Tomb Raiderimplements the mechanic better than most of its contemporaries. Building on the stellar work of 2013’sTomb Raider, the sequel is bigger and many would argue better, with the gameplay being particularly strong. Lara Croft has quite a few tools at her disposal designed to take out enemies, and they cater to a few playstyles. While she can head into battle with guns blazing, the silent approach is generally the wiser option, at least until a few of the targets are eliminated to level the playing field.
With platforming, exploration, third-person shooting, and puzzles, stealth is just a small part ofRise of the Tomb Raider’s gameplay cycle; however, the title does not treat the concept like an afterthought either. Lara has access to quite a few mechanics designed specifically around stealth, and she can also execute satisfying silent takedowns that match the game’s fairly vicious nature. Stealth is initially quite basic, but Lara’s brawler skill tree has a few improvements (like “Death from Above”) that enhance this part of the package.
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordorwas likeAssassin’s Creedbut with orcs.Middle-earth: Shadow of Waris the sequelto that, emphasizing more action over the stealth gameplay that led the original. Like other entries on here, killing one’s way through orc encampments was still a viable option using stealth.
The stealth and overall gameplay were good, but the thing that was truly amazing about this game and the original was the Nemesis System. Every orc captain was original and would remember encounters on the battlefield. Failure to eliminate a foe would make them stronger the next time players met them.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlandswas aDestiny-like approach to this long-running franchise. Players were given an open world to roam around in with the ability to tackle side missions to free the country. They could light up encampments with explosives like they were Bomberman, or they could go in silently and take out foes one by one.
Going full stealth in this game was tricky, but a well-trained team in co-op could make the experience more immersive. It was rough at launch, but patches have made it easier to recommend now.
