Summary
The single-player mode in military shooters likeCall of DutyandBattlefieldoffers fun and cinematic run-and-gun experiences. However, these titles are fast-twitch Michael Bay movie-like experiences that require little thought or patience. The stealth shooter genre is the perfect antithesis of cinematic shooters and run-and-gun blasters likeDOOM.
Not only are thesesniper gamesthat reward patience, timing, and stealth, but the mission design can often provide gamers with more varied experiences.Taking out opponents from an unseen location and slipping away unnoticed is an empowering experience for those who love the genre.
Updated July 08, 2025, by Michael Llewellyn:Sniping offers a more strategic and less action-centric approach to military shooters and action games. There’s a different feeling of satisfaction and skill compared to run and gun games and it works in any genre. This list is updated to include a zombie horror game in the style of the Sniper Elite series.
Due to the success ofSniper Elite 4andSniper Elite 5,the series has maintained its focus on the grounded and historical perspective of the Second World War with a new follow-up titledSniper Elite: Resistance.As a result, their zombie horror spin-off series,Zombie Army,appears to be on a hiatus.
However, for sniping fans who want to inject some B-movie horror into their sniping should look no further. The mechanics ofZombie Army 4: Dead Warwill be familiar to fans of theSniper Eliteseries. The much-loved X-Ray kill cams prove more than satisfying for dismembering and exploding some zombie heads in this alt-universe Second War spin-off.
Despite its troubled launch,Homefront: The Revolutionhas undergone numerous updates and now offers an excellent experience across all platforms. Visually, the game stands out even compared to current-generation titles, with gunplay and shooting mechanics that are particularly impactful, especially when utilizing the sniper rifle.
In addition, the weapon pseudo-science fiction gun customization and weapon conversion mechanics make changing gun types on the fly very satisfying and a lot of fun when surrounded by enemy soldiers. Sniping and stealth are typically the best approaches inHomefront: The Revolution,and the ruined suburban streets offer numerous opportunities for fans of sniping.
Splinter Cell: Blacklistis one of the most polished and best-looking stealth games available. Players take on the role of Sam Fisher, an elite special ops soldier who can take down enemies in multiple ways. While players most likely utilize his hand-to-hand takedowns and silenced pistols to clear out enemies, there are several good opportunities for sniping, like on the Opium Farm mission.
Sam can use lethal and non-lethal rifles to snipe enemies at a distance while staying silent and completing his missions.Blacklistholds up as one of the best-looking games in the genre, with stunning animations and challenging artificial intelligence. Every takedown feels satisfying on the more challenging levels.
Launched as one of the biggest console exclusives for the Xbox Series X/S,Starfieldis a science fiction RPG mechanically similar to Bethesda’s previous work withThe Elder ScrollsandFalloutseries. As expected,Starfieldoffers players multiple ways to play and take down enemies. However, eliminating enemies using stealth and sniping is the most satisfying form of combat available.
Putting skill points into Stealth, Marksmanship, Sharpshooting, and Sniper Certification makes the player’s character a deadly force to be reckoned with inStarfield.However, if players include the Chameleon trait through skills or a mirrored space suit, they will feel like the hunters fromThe Predatormovies.
Deus Ex: Mankind Dividedis a cyberpunk-themed action RPG where the player has multiple choices for playing style. Players can covertly take down enemies with special attacks that can subdue or kill enemy guards. The brutal approach is satisfying. However,Deus Exis at its best when using stealth, sneaking up on and taking down enemies with a scoped weapon.
Several missions take place indoors, but the environments are large, with several enemies patrolling strategically for the player to take down. The enemy AI is surprisingly adept, but they do follow patterns that can be studied for the best approach. Whether players utilize a lethal or a non-lethal approach,Deus Exhas the right tools for the job.
First launched in 2007,Crysiswas the gold standard for graphical performance, usually requiring an expensive PC to get it working at an acceptable level. Thankfully, that is no longer the case, and it runs nicely on last-generation systems. It is still a good-looking game compared to modern titles likeFar Cry 6.
Like theFar Cryseries,Crysisis at its best when players execute enemies with the wealth of stealth mechanics provided by the protagonist’s super suit. The sniping is excellent and more satisfying, thanks to the enemy soldier’s awareness on the battlefield. The large environments offer several methods and opportunities to scope and eliminate enemies. The AI is challenging and works together in trying to bring the protagonist down. Played, right,Crysisoffers enough abilities and powers to make the player feel like they are the apex predator in still-stunning environments in the game.
Rainbow SixSiegeis currently a popular online shooter but is unrecognizable compared to its source material and even less so when factoring inRainbow Six: Extraction,which features aliens. There is no single-player story mode in Siege. andRainbow Six: Vegas 2was the last entryto feature a proper story mode inspired by the Tom Clancy novel, it holds as an espionage action game making players feel like they are members of an elite team of soldiers.
Playing as a member of an elite tactical unit called the Rainbow Six, there are many opportunities for taking out bad guys and terrorists from long range. Getting a headshot using night vision or thermal scopes is incredibly satisfying. Despite their age, theRainbow Six Vegasgames are arguably more gratifying and fun than the multiplayer-only spinoffs.Rainbow Six: Vegas 2offers more of the same with improved mechanics like a run feature and better AI and co-op commands. The sequel has a story that focuses on Logan Keller’s team with events that occur before during, and after the end of the first game.
UnlikeRainbow Six,theGhost Reconseries maintained the single-player story mode. Players can play with an AI team or cooperatively with friends. However, in providing a vast but empty open-world environment, the series lacks the focus of theAdvanced Warfighterseries. The larger mission areas are large enough for players to utilize their surroundings, pick enemies off from a distance, and order their squad to use similar tactics.
Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2is often regarded as the best in the series with its tactical combat in urban environments. The stealth mechanics are satisfying. Quietly taking out enemies at night using night vision and a sniper rifle feels immense. Picking off enemies one by one in an intense battle makes the player feel like they are part of an elite unit.
At launch,Far Cry 6was criticized for being more of the same, but in many ways, it was a culmination ofFar Cry’sbest bits into one game. It dropped many irritating aspects and streamlined them into a more rewarding experience.
Furthermore, the implementations of stealth and sniper mechanics are the best in the series. Many rifles in the game can be modified and upgraded into sniper-like weapons. Dedicated sniper rifles have exploitable strengths and weaknesses. As a result, guns feel unique and different, adding a sense of weight and feel.
2021
Platform
PC and PSVR
Launched alongside the PS4 version ofHitman 3,Hitman VR was available for PSVR owners to play using the PSVR headset. The VR version does not cut any corners, and the open world is still a sandbox for players to execute their strategies and plans.
As a result, using weapons like the sniper rifle feels more immersive than ever, making the player feel even more like a secret agent. Movement can feel janky, but sniping targets in VR is an exceptional experience that brings the world ofHitmanto life in a real first-person experience.
