Game recommendations? Like The Last of Us but not as scary or sad

March 2, 2023 3:08 PM

What should I play next? I finally just played this and loved it. Almost quit early on because it's hard and I really, really suck. I broke down and allowed myself to play on easy. Also completed Left Behind. Haven't purchased part 2 because it just seems so sad and I can't handle that right now.

I have stayed away from that kind of game because of how terrible I am at them. Mostly it's all of the buttons and options that make it difficult for me. After realizing I can play on easy I'd like to dip my toe in again. As much as I loved the story and characters, I am holding off on part 2. The previews look amazing - but the bleakness! Is there such a thing as a stealth game that is not too scary or depressing? Bonus if a 2nd player can join because I may have finally convinced my husband to play as well. I have a Switch, PS4, XBox.

posted by mokeydraws to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (13 answers total)

Is there such a thing as a stealth game that is not too scary or depressing?

Untitled Goose Game
posted by chrisulonic at 3:31 PM on March 2, 2023 [11 favorites]

Two of my favorite stealth series are the Assassin's Creed and Dishonored games. The Splinter Cell games have couch co-op, or at least Chaos Theory does. None of these are scary or depressing, but they don't have as good a story as TLOU.

I also usually play on easy, it's so much more fun and less frustrating. Allow yourself to have fun!
posted by ilona at 4:23 PM on March 2, 2023

Agree with the Dishonored recommendation.

The Thief games are classics in the stealth genre, if you don't mind old. I was a late adopter and believe I only played the third one (Thief: Deadly Shadows) start to finish; I remember it having two bits that are scary (one in an insane asylum, of course), but the creepiness will be significantly mitigated if you turn the sound down for them.
posted by mark k at 4:40 PM on March 2, 2023 [1 favorite]

My partner who loves stealth games mentioned Mark of the Ninja Remastered, Aragami 1 & 2, and the Batman Arkham games. He also loves AC: Origins but mentioned it can be a bit sad - nothing like TLOU, though.
posted by rachaelfaith at 4:46 PM on March 2, 2023

Another plug for Dishonoured. The story's a bit grim at times but not particularly sad -- except for the cutscene at the beginning of game 1 that sets up the story. Dishonoured can be played without killing anyone if that's your groove; there are non-lethal takedowns and no-kill solutions for all quests. The art style is amazing through the entire seriez. It's a true stealth/puzzle game requiring reconnaissance and planning if you play it non-lethally.
posted by seanmpuckett at 6:14 PM on March 2, 2023 [2 favorites]

My left field recommendation is horizon zero dawn on easy. You can stealth attack dinosaur robots, super compelling story, great characters.
posted by WedgedPiano at 7:00 PM on March 2, 2023 [1 favorite]

You mention an XBox... somewhere in 2003/2004 I lost 40 very enjoyable hours of my life to Knights of the Old Republic on the OG XBox... Apparently it's seen enough re-releases that maybe whichever incarnation of the device you have will run one.
posted by adekllny at 7:04 PM on March 2, 2023 [1 favorite]

Was it just the stealth aspect you liked, or more the story and exploring an environment? DONTNOD’s Life Is Strange scratched some of the same story and environment itches for me.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 11:27 PM on March 2, 2023

TLOU Part 2 is a great game so do plan on playing it eventually. From a game mechanics point of view, I thought Days Gone was somewhat similar and very good.
posted by LoveHam at 4:30 AM on March 3, 2023

Witcher 3 is one of my fave games of all time. Not 'stealth' per se but you can create a stealth build and play it in a stealthy way.
posted by sid at 4:46 AM on March 3, 2023

Don't feel bad about TLOU difficulty! First, it's always fine to play a game on whatever level you want. Second, TLOU is hard! I just finished it after failing to play it through twice before because it was too hard. By playing on easy level. And had a great time!

Stealth is by nature a difficult genre. The "best" modern stealth games IMHO are the series Dishonored, Dishonored 2, and Deathloop. But they're pretty demanding gamer-games. Also the story is a little thin.

To me TLOU is most distinguished by its storytelling. The studio's Uncharted games would be a natural segue if you liked their style. Alternately I think Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel are excellent. Assassin's Creed: Valhalla might also be of interest to you. Neither are particularly stealthy.

On a totally different angle, check out Firewatch. It's fully a "walking simulator" game and quite sweet. Not much gameplay but great story.
posted by Nelson at 6:40 AM on March 3, 2023

-The Hitman series is a great stealth puzzle shooter. Hitman2 has a sniper co-op mode but it was more of an extra level and not the main game. None of the trailers really give the game justice but this before you buy explanation if a little biased still good at explaining what the game is about.
-Stray is one of my favorite games in recent years, you play as a cat the ultimate stealth animal!
posted by ljesse at 6:47 AM on March 3, 2023 [1 favorite]

I loved the story of Horizon: Zero Dawn. I am also terrible but found it enjoyable on Easy and could bump it down to Story mode if needed. It’s a little more complex than Last of Us from a skill building perspective but you can focus your skill tree on being good at stealth, which I did.
posted by thejanna at 11:11 AM on March 3, 2023