Thanks to stealth games, players can take the role of assassins. And thanks to the rather simplistic premise of stealth games, players become free to experiment with their abilities, tools, and the environment to meet their targets. They might have to assassinate someone quietly, interrogate someone, gather intel, or even steal some materials - all without being seen. Or, alternatively, players can systematically kill everyone on sight and proceed to their objective without a fuss. Regardless of the method, stealth games offer a ton of flexibility to players to do their missions. And given the various skillsets of stealth game protagonists, all assassins seem to shine in the genre.
Thankfully, folks from Metacritic provided their verdict on just who among the stealth genre protagonists stands out as the best assassin across the PS4's lineup of stealth titles. Just who are these protagonists? And more important, just what skills do they possess to qualify for these top positions?
10 Karl Fairburne, Sniper Elite 4 (77/6.8)
Thanks to its title, Sniper Elite 4 highly encourages sniper kills - befitting its classification as a stealth game. As such, in Sniper Elite, all missions involve Karl dropping off to a massive location with objectives. Additionally, he can "tag" enemies, objects, and their weaknesses from afar and he can accomplish missions in a wide variety of means. Moreover, the game treats players with awesome x-ray views with successful sniper kills.
As these mechanics show, series protagonist Fairburne is no pushover. In fact, his skills as a member of the American OSS meant he's a one-man army. Moreover, his impeccable intelligence allows him to identify weaknesses in all objects around him he can exploit with his sharpshooting expertise.
9 Aragami, Aragami (80/5.2)
Players who try Aragami for the first time might think it's a usual stealth game. In the story, the light-wielding Kaiho conquered Nisshoku and imprisoned its Shadow Empress. It's up to Aragami to his enemies carefully, move stealthily, and eliminate them on his way to save the Kaiho's captives.
Interestingly, Aragami can also manipulate the shadows to his will - giving him abilities to teleport and become invisible. Unfortunately, as a shadow being, Aragami becomes vulnerable to any physical attack and intense light sources. Regardless of these setbacks, Aragami's skillsets make him one of the deadliest assassins out there.
8 Agent 47, Hitman (82/8.3)
Despite his pile of bodies in dressers and cabinets, Agent 47 of Hitman remains as one of the most formidable assassins in gaming history. Comical introduction aside, Agent 47 possesses the skills necessary to become a "perfect assassin" as he's made into one. In fact, Agent 47's origins places him as a clone with genetic material from five criminal masterminds. To put his skills to good use, the International Contract Agency hires Agent 47 to take on assassination missions.
Thanks to Agent 47's training, he can approach any mission in a variety of ways. He can easily eliminate foes with his trusty fiber wire or arsenal of weapons. Likewise, he can transform almost any object in the mission location to a deadly weapon.
7 Edward Kenway, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag (83/7.9)
Unlike other games in the Assassin's Creed franchise, Black Flag puts a major emphasis on naval combat. Like other Assassin's Creed titles, combat emphasizes more on parries and dodges, as well as swift counter-attacks.
Kenway's membership under the Assassin Order gives him access to their trademark Hidden Blades and assassination skills. In addition, his initial training with firearms, swords, and even knives and axes make him a formidable enemy. Lastly, perhaps what sets him apart is having his own crew of pirates aboard the Jackdaw, giving him backup should he need it.
6 Jin Sakai, Ghost Of Tsushima (83/9.3)
Not all assassins start as a stalker of the shadows. In Ghost of Tsushima, the eponymous Ghost started as a noble warrior. After failing to defend the island of Tsushima from the Mongol horde, warrior Jin Sakai sought the help of various people to take the fight back to the conquerors. However, Sakai realizes he needs to rely on something other than his blade and honor to secure his victory.
As such, Sakai employs both samurai stances and stealth to Ghost of Tsushima's various missions. Unlike other assassins, Sakai's approach involves mastering a wide variety of stances to combat certain types of enemies. Moreover, his training in both swordsmanship and assassination gave him skill sets he can switch whenever the need arises.
5 Talion And Celebrimbor, Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor (84/8.0)
Thanks to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, players can traverse Middle-earth of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as a lone warrior. Set between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, players take on the role of Gondor ranger Talion after he is killed by Sauron's soldiers. Unbeknownst to them, the wraith Celebrimbor revives Talion, imbuing him with wraith-like abilities to exact revenge.
Interestingly, Talion and Celebrimbor's combination of skills make them extremely dangerous assassins. The elf Celebrimbor serves as the Second Age's master smith and, thanks to his knowledge, informs Talion of lore that can help them in their mission. Meanwhile, Talion possesses the remarkable skills of a Gondor ranger. As such, he's a master swordsman and archer. Thanks to Celebrimbor's wraith abilities, Talion can travel through the shadows and even revive the dead to serve him.
4 Adam Jensen, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (84/7.6)
The influence of cybernetic augmentations helped people in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided be much faster, more intelligent, and more efficient. In the case of protagonist Adam Jensen, his augmentations will pave a way to help a hacker group expose an elusive organization that may have been involved in the ongoing discrimination against people with augmentations.
Jensen's wide range of augmentations allow him to approach his mission from a violent or stealthy perspective. The game's cover mechanics, shooting options, and hand-to-hand combat gameplay also demonstrate Jensen's prowess with both martial arts and usage of advanced technology. In fact, his biggest asset remains with his augmentations - as he can hack computer systems, improve his fortitude, and add unique abilities.
3 Hayato, Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun (85/8.2)
Some assassins work alone - but some work best in groups. In Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun, players take on the role of a team of specialists assigned to assassinate a rising warlord. However, in order to do so, they first have to capture integral points, interrogate the warlord's allies, steal information, and even assassinate key targets.
Of the five heroes, Hayato serves as the most straightforward team member to command. Thanks to his training, Hayato uses his dexterousness and mobility to quickly navigate the battlefield. It's Hayato's straightforward nature that helps him eliminate enemies in the fastest, most efficient way possible.
2 Emily Kaldwin, Dishonored 2 (88/7.9)
Despite Corvo Attano's skill in Dishonored, Emily Kaldwin takes the spotlight in Dishonored 2. As with the first game, Emily can approach her missions in both non-lethal and lethal ways. Thanks to her gifts from the Outsider, Emily can use the Void to link her enemies' fates, summon doppelgangers, travel large distances, enthrall targets, and even dispatch multiple enemies quickly with her shadowy abilities.
Moreover, her training in the art of combat and stealth transformed her into one of the most capable assassins in their realm. Additionally, her remarkable talent with her gadgets greatly complements her unique supernatural abilities. Moreover, as the Isles' rightful heir, Emily will have an entire army behind her.
1 Big Boss, Metal Gear Solid 5: Phantom Pain (93/8.2)
Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid series provided quite a wild ride to stealth and action fans. Its final main series title, Phantom Pain, ties all loose strings together while maintaining its stealth allure. Players take the role of Big Boss as he pursues his assailants who almost killed him in the previous game. Thanks to his stealth expertise and military genius, Big Boss uses hand-to-hand combat, a variety of weapons, as well as the help of recruited allies as he pursues his missions.
As with other Metal Gear games, Phantom Pain proves why Big Boss deserves such a title. Moreover, his training and skill in both simulated and actual combat situations helped him become adaptable to almost any situation.