Dishonored stands out as a prominent example among third-person stealth games in contemporary gaming. While it might not hold the title for being the absolute best or the most groundbreaking, its excellence shines through in the realms of stealth gameplay, combat mechanics, and self-contained adventurous experiences. In these aspects, Dishonored achieves a level of perfection that remains unmatched.

The original game changed the landscape of FPP games, as the stealth mechanics introduced in Dishonored games, combined with some visceral combat elements, made it one of the most exciting stealth games in a long time. Probably, there has not been such a good stealth game since the original Thief games or Splinter Cell.

And, as it usually happens, when something becomes popular, other games follow. In this article, we will go over some of the best games like Dishonored, where you can use your supernatural abilities and fight with rival assassins, go into direct combat, become a master thief, and use some unusual gadgets.

• Release Date: October  2012 

• Developer: Arkane Studios

• Platforms: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

• Meta Score: 91/100

Let’s start with Dishonored. If you want your next standalone adventure to be unique, if you like to hide in deadly shadows, and if you think that the fourth game in the Thief franchise is not the best out there, you should try Dishonored.

From the award-winning developers at Arkane Studios comes a fantastic story about a supernatural assassin, who got dishonored, ironically, by the, let’s just say – bad guys not to spoil anything – and now is on the quest to clear his name.

Dishonored’s flexible combat system, magical powers, and fantastic storyline with steampunk elements made it one of the best games of the 2010s. It made Arkane Studios what it is nowadays, and a supernatural assassin driven by revenge is an incredible trope that more people should include in their storytelling practices. The Dishonored franchise made a tangible impact on the market, and many of the following games are made because of this first push from Dishonored.

Supernatural powers, assassinating targets that could be dealt with in many different ways, creating your playstyle – you could say that those tropes were already in use with games such as Assassin’s Creed, but Dishonored perfected them. The first-person element added another layer to the game that Dishonored fans worldwide loved. The unique skills, many ways to creatively eliminate enemies, and the Victorian England vibe mixed with some steam-punk aesthetic – you cannot hate this game, can you?

So, if you want to uncover secrets far beyond your comprehension, break through the front door or sneak through the back, and use lethal and non-lethal ways to take care of your opponents – these are the titles you should keep in mind. Gamers worldwide play those certainly, as they are one of the most exciting titles in the stealth genre and as a whole. With that in mind, let’s get into some exploring! Here are seven games to have fun in! 

• Release Date: September 2021

• Developer: Arkane Lyon

• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S

• Meta Score: 89/100

The first game on our list is Deathloop, another game from Arkane, so we thought – it may be a significant next step for someone who enjoyed Dishonored (We don’t talk about Redfall here…).  You are Colt, an assassin who unfortunately got stuck in a time loop on a pretty little island of Blackreef. Every single day is the same one. You aim to escape your circle, cheat death, and progress into the world. How would you do that? Well, you must murder eight targets before the sun rises again.

Unfortunately, this will not be an easy task. Your future is dictated by the actions of Julianna, a person who will do everything to stop you in your tracks. Julianna can be controlled by AI or another player, as the game allows other players to join your session and exploration.

Unlike other games, this game gives you a lot of ways to complete your challenges. You have a whole arsenal of weapons; you must find ways to infiltrate the city, stay silent, or go for the maximum destruction. The choice is yours in the end. 

The main objective is to get out of the loop, so if you have some ideas and a sense of destruction on your side, you can accomplish just that. The game was highly praised, so you don’t need to worry about creative choices made by the studio (as we repeat – we don’t talk about Redfall), so sit back, and enjoy the game!

• Release Date: January 2021

• Developer: IO-Interactive

• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

• Meta Score: 87/100

Next, we have Hitman 3. If you liked the original trilogy, you would love this one. This game is absolutely on another level. You have big maps to enjoy, with dozens of ways to go about each assassination. The famous bald-barcoded Agent 47 is again there to help you with your assassination endeavors—this time – with a much bigger package to throw at people.

First of all, the locations are just stunning. Everything looks out of this world, from skyscrapers in Dubai to English mansions and more. And, within each setting, you have multiple ways you can behave. You can change your clothes, become a server, drug dealer, or whatever you feel would be best. How you will go about this job is totally up to you. Be sure to make Diana Burnwood happy in the end.

Additionally, you will never have two same runs. Hitman 3 allows you to constantly change and adjust the ways of assassinating people, so you can replay the same levels using different methods but, hopefully, with the same results.

And finally, it’s a beautiful ending to a great story. We would not like to spoil the plot, but this high-level conspiracy/spy thriller could be a rather enjoyable movie. Of course, we are not counting the abomination that came out a few years ago—an actual film with some proper assassin. So, if you like stealth games set in the modern world – Hitman 3 is a game for you.

• Release Date: September 2015 

• Developer: Kojima Productions

• Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One

• Meta Score: 95/100

Metal Gear Solid V is probably the highest-rated title on this list, except one that we couldn’t, as it would be too easy. The game's central concept is to become Venom Snake, AKA Big Boss, on his revenge mission against the Cipher organization. Will he succeed this time? Will you help him out with this?

Kojima creates a compelling world with a fantastic narrative that changes people's thoughts about gaming a few years in advance. Metal Gear Solid games have developed standards for fun with their cinema-style approach, excellent record, and charismatic lead.

This time, we have Afghanistan and Africa at our disposal. You can roam those places, try different approaches, use some sneaky tactics, utilize camouflage, and do everything you can to progress the plot. The exciting thing about this particular title is that you have a base to use. You can hire some people, get new equipment, replenish your resources, and even research your enemies. It adds another layer to the game, giving you some kind of responsibility.

Additionally, the game has a fantastic buddy system, where you can form bonds with a wolf D-dog and Quiet, the sniper. With their help, infiltrating international spying agencies will be a piece of cake. Especially with a wolf, cause – who would say not to such a sweet creature!

So, embark on a journey to the unknown and see if this will be the last mission for the Venom Snake.

• Release Date: October 2015

• Developer: Ubisoft Quebec

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Stadia

• Meta Score: 78/100

Speaking of Assassin-based games – Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate. Was it a response to Dishonored? Maybe. Is it as good as the Arkane’s game? Debatable. Is it a good game overall? Definitely!

Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate is the closest thing we can think of when compared to the Dishonored series as a third-person stealth game. We have the Victorian-era style of action, gadgets, parkour, and the industrial world of London – how close can you get to being a Dishonored game without becoming a Dishonored game? 

In this game, you can become Jacob Fry or his twin sister Evie. As Jacob is the more brute of the two, Evie is stealthy and more agile. Each one represents a different playstyle, so you can adjust it to your needs.

Then, there’s the fantastic world of London, where you can climb buildings, roam through the city, help your gang, the Rooks, and perform some of the most epic assassinations in the series' history.

Additionally, you will meet a lot of historical figures on your way there, with names such as Charles Dickens, Karl Marx, and even Queen Victoria herself! So, grab your coat and enter the fantastic world of Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate! 

If you are fed up with Ancient Greece or Viking times, this Assassin’s Creed will show you a new face of the series. And maybe it’s just something you need at the moment. With more than ten games in the series, and hundreds of assassination targets, you can be sure that they know at least a bit about this kind of games. 

• Release Date: March 2013 

• Developer: Irrational Games

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Stadia

• Meta Score: 94/100

For better or worse, there’s always the best game in the Bioshock franchise: Infinite. When it comes to visuals alone, this is probably the most Dishonored-like game on this list. The cartoonish graphics, combined with some pretty grim world-building, create an unease and uncertainty that can only be attributed to the creators' grotesque sense of humor.

In this installment of the dystopian world of Bioshock, we are playing Booker DeWitt, who was sent to Columbia to find and rescue a woman called Elizabeth. He was supposed to bring her back to New York. But, as the story unravels, it may be more complex than he thought, especially when the whole world starts crumbling. That can be a pretty problematic way home.

The steam-punk elements are everywhere in Bioshock: Infinite. How people dress, enemies, weapons, and everything is somewhat connected to this aesthetic. The world is mad, and so are our protagonists, who are getting increasingly insane with every level finished.

The combat is pretty simple; it’s a stealth-based game with some brute-force elements, especially during the boss fights. Besides the classic weapons, Booker can also utilize Vigors, which can give him supernatural abilities.

The big thing about Bioshock: Infinite is Elizabeth. Her connection with Booker, helping out in the fight by tossing ammo and resources, and finally – opening tears that can lead to different realities – really made the game as famous as it was back in the day. If you like steampunk with stealth action, you should give this one a chance. For fans of Bioshock games, but not only them.

• Release Date: February 2022

• Developer: From Software

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

• Meta Score: 96/100

Elden Ring. We just could not miss out on this game in our best picks, as it encapsulates everything great about, well, gaming in general. It may not be the closest thing to Dishonored, but it has a lot of qualities that resemble the famous Arkane game.

For starters, in this open-world RPG, you have lots and lots of stealth-based assassinating; you can even build whole classes for stealth killing. You have the supernatural abilities of some characters, a wonderful world full of monsters, and a quest to save the, maybe not the city, but a whole world. Isn’t it important enough?

The story was co-created by George R.R. Martin and Hidetaka Miyazaki. You play as Tarnished, who was banished from the Land Between. Now, you return to save the world from disappearing from the face of Earth. Queen Marika, who was in charge of those lands, disappeared. Additionally, she destroyed the Elden Ring, which kept everything in check. After that, her kids, literal demigods, started fighting with each other to take control of the Land Between. Your task is to find the Elden Ring, repair it, and become the Elden Lord.

To do so, you have dozens of classes, weapons, spells, and skills to take on those demigods and finally make the world a safer place. The best/worst thing is how hard this game is. It’s really demanding! You will not be able to just go through enemies like butter; you will need to have a plan, or even a few rats could murder you easily.

Overall – this game is just perfect; what can we tell you? If you like “Games” – you will like this one as well. It was perfected to the point where we are wondering why nobody is playing it on a loop constantly. You can even play it with a friend if you wish, and we definitely recommend co-op mode against some of the harder boss fights.

• Release Date: August 2016 

• Developer: Eidos-Montréal

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, macOS

• Meta Score: 84/100

But – you may want to relax a bit from Elden Ring and try some Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. If you like being stealthy but are hoping for a bit more futuristic vibe – Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is the right game for you. Here, you play as Adam Jensen, a half-man, half-robot, with lots of bio-advancements, etc. The world is divided between being pro-augmented people and against them. You work as a double agent for what is called a Juggernaut Collective. Your goal is to take down the Illuminati organization that is controlling the world.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided combines stealth elements with some action role-playing games and cybernetic bio-advancements. You may use technological upgrades in order to fight with your enemies up-front or use some more stealth tactics. The story is compelling, so if you like a good narrative, like in the case of Dishonored, you will probably enjoy some Mankind Divided as well. Especially considering the fact that the game actually shows you different ways of solving your “problems,” similar to what we have seen in the title game of this article.

And, if you like a game that is dialogue-heavy, has a message to present to you, and some stuff to address – Mankind divided is a game for you. We chose this one instead of Human Revolution, as it is a bit newer.

And here we are, at the end of our presentation! As you can see, there are plenty of games like Dishonored on the market. From something as simple as just playing Dishonored (duh!) to something vast and wonderful like Elden Ring or Metal Gear Solid V, those stealth games these days are some of the best on the market. 

Of course, those are just our picks, there are plenty more of those, but games like System Shock felt a little bit too old to put on that list. It may be one of the most immersive sims in history, but time got better of it, unfortunately.

Nevertheless, we hope that you will find something for yourself. We tried to create a list that will have something for everyone, so if you like something more stealthy – there is an option for you, and if you like something more basic – you can also have some fun.

Thanks for stopping by! We hope that you enjoyed this one! If you liked this article, be sure to check out others on our site. We have plenty of those to go around, so we are positive that you will find something for yourself. That’s it for today; stay safe, and we will see you in the next one!