5 Classic Spy Games That You Forgot Were Awesome

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Spy games, like Splinter Cell and Metal Gear Solid, have been a favorite among gamers for years. While everyone knows those big titles, there are many other excellent spy games where you can feel like James Bond or Jason Bourne. Here are five older games that didn’t get as much attention, but are still fun to play now.

Here are the best classic spy games you probably forgot about.

5) Commandos 2: Men of Courage

As a huge fan, I can tell you that Commandos 2 isn’t like most spy games out there. It’s a real-time tactics game where you command a small team of highly trained soldiers. The goal is to sneak them past enemy defenses – you really have to use all their skills and abilities – to disrupt the plans of Nazi Germany and Japan during World War II. It’s all about careful planning and execution!

In the 21 missions of Commandos 2, you’ll control a diverse team of commandos, each with unique skills. For example, the Green Beret can use telephone poles as zip lines, and the Seductress can disguise herself to distract guards. The game encourages creative problem-solving, and it’s readily available thanks to a 2020 remaster. However, some players have experienced bugs, so make sure your computer meets the system requirements.

4) Jazzpunk

Jazzpunk is a funny game that feels like a classic 70s spy movie. It’s rare for a video game to keep you laughing the whole way through, but the creators at Necrophone Games have done just that. The game is packed with jokes, so you’ll be motivated to search every corner of its expansive levels.

Okay, so the action isn’t super intense – I’m not exactly feeling like a super spy here. But honestly, Jazzpunk feels way more like Naked Gun than Jason Bourne. It’s constantly making fun of spy movies and books, and throws in tons of nods to classics like Blade Runner and Alien too. If you’ve had a rough week and just need to crack up, this game is seriously a good way to unwind.

3) Alpha Protocol

Obsidian Entertainment is a well-respected RPG developer, known for recent games like Avowed and The Outer Worlds. Back in 2010, they ventured into the spy genre with Alpha Protocol. This game was particularly praised for its innovative Dialogue Stance System, which forced players to make fast choices and offered a lot of freedom in how they approached conversations.

While Alpha Protocol isn’t perfect in how it plays, and it definitely had technical problems, it really shines in letting you make meaningful choices. If you can look past those issues, the story is quite good. It feels like a sequel could have resolved a lot of the problems, but unfortunately, one doesn’t seem likely after all these years.

2) Invisible, Inc.

Klei Entertainment, the team behind the popular survival game Don’t Starve, surprised players in 2015 with Invisible Inc, a challenging turn-based strategy game. Like everything Klei creates, Invisible Inc. is beautifully made and requires players to think carefully and solve complex problems to succeed in each level.

Invisible Inc. is a challenging roguelite game where you unlock new abilities and options with each playthrough. Its replayability is high, and the engaging story about fighting against powerful corporations makes it well worth playing. It’s a fantastic game that sadly doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

1) The Operative: No One Lives Forever

Developed by Monolith Productions, The Operative is a thrilling spy adventure set in the 1960s. Players take on the role of skilled agent Cate Archer, tasked with stopping the dangerous terrorist group H.A.R.M. The game was highly acclaimed not just for its engaging spy theme, but also for being considered one of the best shooters released in 2000.

The game’s satisfying shooting mechanics are a big part of its appeal, but it also stood out with its creative weapons and gadgets. This allowed players to tackle missions with either aggressive firepower or a more subtle, stealthy style, encouraging multiple playthroughs to experiment with different strategies. Add in a stylish presentation, clever humor, and a fantastic soundtrack, and it’s no surprise the game earned numerous awards at the end of the year.

The game was followed by a sequel, No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.’s Way, and a spin-off titled Contract J.A.C.K. Although Contract J.A.C.K. wasn’t well-received, NOLF 2 received positive reviews. However, there haven’t been any new games in the series since 2003. With Monolith Productions closing in 2017, it’s unlikely we’ll see another official game, though fans have created unofficial patches to allow the original to run on newer computers.

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2026-02-16 01:40