Stealth, Strategy, and Shadows: Top 5 Alternatives to Hitman 3

Hitman 3, with its thrilling gameplay and immersive storyline, has intrigued countless gamers globally. However, if you want to move away from Agent 47's universe for a while and explore something new and equally enthralling, we have a fine lineup of alternative stealth-action games for you. These diverse selections echo Hitman 3's sublime stealth-action gameplay features while offering unique twists, captivating stories, and riveting atmospheres.

1. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

First in line is a title from one of the most legendary franchises in the stealth-action genre - Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Created by the indomitable Hideo Kojima, it is a game that combines intriguing storytelling with a high degree of tactical freedom.

Gameplay

The Phantom Pain allows players to control Venom Snake, also known as Big Boss, in an open-world environment. The gameplay mechanics promote the use of stealth, with the player tasked to infiltrate various locations and complete objectives without being detected. The game also includes a day-night cycle and weather system that affect enemy visibility and behavior, providing constantly evolving challenges.

Story and Setting

The game is set in 1984 and continues the tale of the mercenary leader Big Boss. After waking up from a nine-year coma, he ventures into Afghanistan and the Angola–Zaire border region to seek revenge on the people who destroyed his forces and nearly ended his life.

2. Dishonored 2

From the developers at Arkane Studios comes the mesmerizing sequel to the hit series - Dishonored 2. Noted for its in-depth stealth gameplay and compelling story, Dishonored 2 is a compelling alternative to the Hitman series.

Gameplay

Players have the choice to play as either Emily Kaldwin or Corvo Attano, each with a unique set of supernatural abilities. The gameplay relies heavily on the player's choice - you can complete the entire game without killing anyone or transforming into a brutal executioner. Furthermore, the level design allows multiple paths and approaches toward each mission.

Story and Setting

Set 15 years after the original game, Dishonored 2 finds Emily Kaldwin dethroned by an otherworldly usurper. In response, Emily or Corvo, the protagonist of the first game, embarks on a venture to regain the throne and restore justice.

3. Splinter Cell: Blacklist

Splinter Cell: Blacklist marks the return of the acclaimed stealth-action series featuring Sam Fisher, a highly skilled operative of a clandestine unit known as Fourth Echelon.

Gameplay

Blacklist offers a blend of stealth and action gameplay, similar to the Hitman series. Sam Fisher is equipped with high-tech gadgets and has a wide range of lethal and non-lethal abilities to infiltrate enemy locations silently or engage more directly using firearms.

Story and Setting

After a group of rogue nations institutes a terrorist ultimatum called "The Blacklist," Sam Fisher and his team must crisscross the world, neutralizing the threats and uncovering the identity of the terrorists.

4. Thief

For fans of stealth and strategic gameplay, Thief presents another extraordinary opportunity to dive into a dark, shadowy universe filled with intrigue and mystery.

Gameplay

You play as Garret, a master thief, utilizing a range of tools and stealth-oriented gameplay to steal from the rich while uncovering a menacing plot. Unlike Hitman's assassination-prevalent narrative, Thief pushes you towards pacifism - the less chaos, the better.

Story and Setting

Set in a dark and moody steampunk world, Thief draws players into its story of mythical omens, class warfare, and a city on the brink of plague.

5. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Lastly, we present another jewel in the crown of stealth-action RPGs, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. The game demonstrates a unique fusion of stealth, action, and role-playing in a dystopian setting.

Gameplay

Players control Adam Jensen, a mechanically augmented human, navigating through primarily open-ended sections allowing various approaches toward objectives. You can tackle scenarios of guns-blazing, use stealth, or even "social hacking" to manipulate characters.

Story and Setting

Mankind Divided is set in 2029, two years after Human Revolution. Central to the narrative is a mechanical apartheid where those with augmentations are feared and persecuted. Players must navigate this divided world, discovering layer upon layer of conspiracy along the way. To wrap up, the stealth-action games mentioned above offer unique and immersive experiences that are akin to or tread beyond Hitman 3’s brilliance. Each title provides an intriguing blend of tactical gameplay, engrossing storylines, and evocative settings that will keep any stealth-action aficionado hooked for hours on end.