Take out that PS2, hook it to your display screen, boot it up, and dust off that collection of stealth games while you’re at it. We’re about to go for a nostalgia trip down memory lane and rank the best games from the stealth genre. Yep, it was a long time coming, but we’re finally doing it.
The PS2 era was a time of innovation and experimentation, and we consider it the golden age of gaming creativity. Today’s list will prove that stealth games had original ideas and weren’t clones of popular games *Cough*Metal Gear Solid*Cough*.
Which Stealth Games on the PS2 are the Best Ever?
Alright, let’s get down to business; today’s selection of the finest stealth games from the PS2 days has a few rules. We’ll get them outta the way first, then the fun begins.
- The first thing we’re looking for in games to pick them for today’s list is originality above all else. Like seriously, if a game feels like nothing more than a knock-off and a cheap one at that, we’re not gonna consider it. So, originality is what we’re after, first and foremost.
- The second and final criteria we’re putting out there in today’s bodacious PS2 stealth games list is the fun factor. After all, what’re we gonna do with a game that’s tedious and not at all enjoyable? So only the fun games are gonna make the cut.
Well, we’re all set now. So let’s get this party started! Here we go!
15. Red Ninja: End Of Honor – Elegant Seduction Stealth Kills Are A Delight
We’re blasting off the list of exceptional PS2 stealth games with Red Ninja: End Of Honor. This game relies on its lead character, Kurenai. Her feminine wiles as a game mechanic might feel offensive to some, but at the time, and even now, they are game-changers.
Red Ninja: End Of Honor wears its heart on its sleeve; you’ll appreciate its daring marketing approach if you’re into cosmetics like the hottest Fortnite skins. Kurenai sneaks up on enemies or approaches them head-on. Kurenai can flirt in a suggestive manner. As the enemy soldiers drop their guard, Kurenai can strike immediately and perform an instant kill.
Red Ninja: End Of Honor has its issues, mostly the camera and lack of frontal assault options, but that’s no deal breaker. After all, we’re purely looking at the game from a stealth perspective, and for us, Red Ninja: End Of Honor comfortably ticks all the boxes.
14. Rogue Ops – Meet the One Woman Army
We’re keeping the action going with another dangerous leading lady in our PS2 stealth games list with Rogue Ops. This game’s a pretty fun time all around, with some really nifty thematic settings and a highly likable character. Nikki Conners, the main character, is a former soldier and a recent widow who lost her husband and child in a terrorist attack.
To seek revenge, she joins a counterterrorist organization, Phoenix. After honing her skills, she voluntarily dives into enemy territory, taking out hired goons silently and sabotaging the terrorist’s plans. n Rogue Ops, Nikki has access to a host of firearms that can further be customized with aiming assistance scopes and noise-reducing suppressors.
Aside from them, Rogue Ops also has high-tech gadgetry like camera drones and scanners. These can provide useful intel on how many soldiers are present along with their patrol pattern. f you’re into compelling story-driven games, give Rogue Ops a try.
13. X2: Wolverine’s Revenge – The Dark Souls Of PS2 Stealth Games
For a bit of gritty and challenging aspect of PS2 stealth games, we present to you X2: Wolverine’s Revenge. The best way to describe this game is that it’s the dark souls of stealth games. You have a violent, imposing, and formidable character like X-Men’s Wolverine, but then you gotta be silent about things.
On the plus side, the stealth gives the game a tactical edge. You can’t rush into things or risk getting blown off by the landmines. 2: Wolverine’s Revenge, despite being a tie-in game, actually is its own standalone story. ark Hammil’s take on Wolverine’s voice and the roster of villains to fight is impressive.
The Juggernaut fight, in particular, is a slugfest that we enjoy. The stealth animation kills in X2: Wolverine’s Revenge using his predator senses feel greatly satisfying. ach victory grants an elation along the lines of Elden Ring; find out if it’s worth it.
12. Manhunt – Bloody, Violent, and Disturbing, Yet Delightful All the Same
Well, what do you know, an original Rockstar PS2-era title that actually got a sequel that’s not GTA? Color us impressed, and what’s more fascinating is that it’s one of the more brutal stealth games ever, Manhunt. It’s NOT kid-friendly and for a mature audience only, kind of like Nintendo Switch games for adults.
Manhunt is about a death-row convict who gets a shot at freedom, provided he executes criminals. Our hero, James Earl Cash, seeks to deliver brutality on a whole new level. The more punishing and painful the stealth executions, the more stars the players receive.
Manhunt encourages players to make use of shadows in conjunction with weapons to kill enemies. Players can use plastic bags to choke the enemies to death or use sharp objects to slice up their abdomens and throats. There’s also the most vicious method of using blunt objects to prolong the kill exaggeratedly.
11. Spy Fiction – Add A Dash of Anime Seasoning to Spycraft
This next entry on our list of fantastic PS2 stealth games is a riot. Spy Fiction has anime-esque visuals and the Japanese over-the-top quirkiness on full display. This game is cheesy and hilarious, but it embraces the silliness, just like the funniest PS4 games.
The gist of the premise is that in Spy Fiction, players take control of one of two agents who must infiltrate a terrorist network. The game gives the characters a unique ability to change appearances. The catch? You gotta take a photo of someone already there to change into them without alerting them.
Spy Fiction also features a highly effective camouflage tech that can render the player’s character invisible. This is handy for tense situations where enemies are on to the player character’s ruse. If all else fails, you go in, grenades popping and guns blazing, which, let’s be honest, while not stealthy, is hella fun.
10. Shinobido: Way Of The Ninja – One of the Most Innovative Stealth Games on the PS2
After some silliness of the last pick, this next one is genuinely one of the best PS2 stealth games through and through. Shinobido: Way Of The Ninja has one of the most innovative level and story structure designs ever. Players’ choice of allegiance or betrayal of a warlord will significantly impact the gameplay experience.
Shinobido: Way Of The Ninja features heavily armed patrols that cannot be taken head-on. Using stealth tactics is a surefire way to gain an advantage. Players can use several techniques and terrain advantages to secure and isolate targets. Sometimes, there are escort missions as well.
There are consequences to every choice, and sometimes things can work out favorably. Things like destroying food supply caravans will severely weaken the combat prowess of enemy soldiers. Shinobido: Way Of The Ninja is an epically awesome game, and its unique presentation style makes it a must-play for fans of the hack-and-slash genre.
9. Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves – The Smooth Operating Raccoon Steals the Show
One of the most beloved Sony gaming mascots from the early and mid-2000s, Sly Cooper, needs a comeback asap. Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves is a fantastic gem among the best PS2 stealth games. From the eye-candy visuals to the smooth animations, everything feels stellar. The gameplay blends traversal and stealth excellently.
Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves will have you cheering the lovable raccoon hero on as he forms his gang for a heist. The game’s humor and colorful visuals will be a hit with kids and adults alike. Players can control Sly and other members of his gangs too.
The inclusion of stealth skills progression really makes the game stand out. In Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves, there are special 3D levels that are a nice change of pace from the usual 2D Sly Cooper fair. Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves will appeal to you the most if you’re into PS2 platforming games.
8. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell – Sam Fisher’s Debut Outing Feels Sublime
Suiting up and heading out with Sam Fisher’s debut in the first Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell game, we players got treated to a masterpiece. In Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, players will control Sam Fisher and his arsenal of cutting-edge technology to combat global terrorist outfits.
The gameplay seamlessly blends between third-person shooting, stealth and tactical takedowns, and cover-based movement. Covering your tracks with shadows and snuffing light sources is key. For visibility, players get state-of-the-art thermal goggles with night vision that have that signature sound synonymous with Splinter Cell.
Sam Fisher also is hella flexible; the guy can perform split jumps to get to vantage points. Playing Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell is a magical experience, one worth revisiting. You can cause confusion among enemy ranks, use them as human shields, and interrogate them. If you enjoy great PS4 stealth games, you’ll have a blast with Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell.
7. Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror – The OG PlayStation Franchise Knocks it Out Of the Park
From one stealth genre pioneer title to another, we have Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror. The entire Syphon Filter franchise is one of the most original PlayStation I.Ps, and we consider it on par with the greatest PS1 games ever. What you’re getting in Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror is high-intensity shootout battles and a plot full of juicy intrigue laced within stealth priority segments.
The game has a ton of enemies that come at the player. It’s up to them to make sure Gabe, the series protagonist, stays alive by picking his moments. In addition to the thrilling story and plot twists, players can engage in a bunch of multiplayer modes to keep the experience fresh.
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror also features some nifty weapons aside from the usual standard ones. A personal favorite is the air taser. This grim weapon can set enemies ablaze and makes for quite the visual as they scream and burn.
6. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – The Most Cinematic Stealth Game Ever
There’s perhaps no question as to the kingpin status of Metal Solid 3: Snake Eater among top-tier PS2 stealth games. This magnificent game is getting a remake, and we’re quite ecstatic about it. What the original Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater brings to the table is a pure spectacle that movie buffs will love.
The reason we say that is because of the cutscenes and the outlandishness of each character, especially the antagonists. The game’s over-the-top and exaggerates a lot of realism, but hey, when it’s this good, we’re not complaining. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is Big Boss’s origin story about the passing of the mantle.
The in-depth recovery system, and the emphasis on stealth to take down enemies in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is second to none. Each boss requires quite a bit of strategy to best, and their designs are quite attention-grabbing.
5. The Operative: No One Lives Forever – An Authentic Stealth Experience With A Femme Fatale Lead
Action heroine Kate Archer enters the fray in a dramatically fashionable way in The Operative: No One Lives Forever. Players will love the 1960s backdrop setting of this in-depth first-person stealth game on the PS2. What’s great about this game is that it portrays the female lead in a stoic and heroic light instead of the usual damsel in distress scenario, like in our favorite PS5 games for girls.
The Operative: No One Lives Forever has several missions and an assortment of tactical approaches to finish them. Oh, and did you know Kate’s entire arsenal repertoire actually is cosmetic-based? For instance, Kat’s got her hairpin which can function just as easily as a lockpick, or her perfume bottle, which acts as a poison bomb.
The missions are quite unique, and players have the option of going for a frontal assault with all guns blazing if stealth fails them. However, The Operative: No One Lives Forever is a stealth game first and foremost.
4. Hitman 2: Silent Assassin – Agent 47 Elevates Tactical Stealth to New Heights
Next up, is Mr. Chrome Dome, Agent 47, from the Hitman series. For more insight into the series, check out our friend’s official ranking of every Hitman game so far. For today, we’re going with one of the best stealth games, even by the series’ standards, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, on the PS2.
Gameplay-wise, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin is tons of fun. The more clever and efficiently silent the approach, the higher the ranking after every mission. Switching between multiple disguises is not only encouraged but essential to maintain cover and avoid suspicion. Thinking outside the box will reward players.
Blending into the surroundings in Hitman 2: Silent Assassin while paying attention to any opportunity for an assassination attempt is what makes the game such a unique cornerstone of the stealth genre. The story is also a tragic one, where Agent 47 cannot escape his true nature, despite efforts on his part.
3. Second Sight – An Ambitious Stealth Game Which is Also A Power Fantasy
For the next entry on our list of amazing stealth games on PS2, we’ve got a protagonist with superpowers, in Second Sight. This game is an absolute blast from start to finish. Players have access to a plethora of abilities that are gonna make the game’s enemies’ lives hell.
The stealth aspect plays out perfectly with a combination of the stun tranquilizer gun and the possession and charm powers. Second Sight is such a breath of fresh air among other stealth titles because of its unique premise. Players will find themselves fully hooked to the narrative and will wanna see it through to the end.
Second Sight doesn’t make the player overpowered enough that everything becomes a cakewalk. Players must bide their time, learn the routes of patrolling soldiers and avoid cameras like the plague. Second Sight will appeal to fans of single-player adventure games like God Of War.
2. Batman Begins – Our Runner-up Choice is A PS2 Batman Game With Mandatory Stealth
For our runner-up choice on the list of best PS2 stealth games, we have Batman Begins. A controversial choice, we know, but hear us out. You see, this game follows the events of the movie of the same name, complete with Christian Bale’s voice and all.
However, what makes Batman Begins so special is that it’s the only Batman game, where stealth is not only encouraged but it’s vital to Batman’s survival. Also, since a majority of the gameplay portion is stealth-based, that means, players will need to keep to the shadows or its curtains.
Look for anything in the environment that can increase the tension and fear of the goons. Once the fear reaches its apex, Batman can descend and leave a permanent mental scar along with physical bruises on the criminal thugs. Long story short, Batman Begins is freaking awesome. For more insight into the Dark Knights gaming escapades, we point to your friend’s Batman game rankings.
1. Tenchu Fatal Shadows – Our Top Choice Eclipses All Other PS2 Stealth Games
This is it, our top choice for the most awesome stealth games on the PS2, and the winner is, Tenchu: Fatal Shadows. This game is beyond excellent, and easily subverts all our expectations of the stealth genre.
You have two compelling heroines, the series veteran, deadly and gorgeous Ayame, and the novice Rin, who comes into her own during the game’s course. Tenchu: Fatal Shadows allows for double-assassinations, and it is quite the visual, requiring timing and precision. Also, there are variations of the levels with unique enemies and their different placements to test your skills truly.
Players are encouraged to use their environments and ninja tools to lure enemies into darkness, where the stealth kills are most effective. Getting rid of the bodies is essential to hide the character’s presence. Tenchu: Fatal Shadows has the proper ambiance and game mechanics to make it stand above the rest of the PS2 stealth games.
Final Thoughts On the Best PS2 Stealth Games Of All Time?
Well, what do ya know? We can check off today’s list from our workload, and boy, was it super fun to compile. The nostalgia of the PS2 stealth games hit us hard, and we feel like a kid again. How about all of you? Did you all feel the same way while going through our selections? Tell us about it in the comments below, and while you’re at it, don’t forget to name-drop your own favorite stealth titles.
Oh, and are you still hankering for more fun on the PlayStation 2 end? Never fear; we’re always loaded with gaming suggestions. Let’s move stealth aside and check out the best PlayStation 2 games ever! That’s all we have for you today. Thanks for reading, so, until next time, stay safe and happy gaming!
