A New Stealth Game With Big Dishonored Energy Is Almost Here

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I’ve always been a fan of stealth games, even though they aren’t always mainstream. While incredibly skilled players and popular titles like Thief and Dishonored have a dedicated fanbase, they don’t usually dominate the gaming landscape. Stealth games occasionally achieve strong sales, but rarely receive the same level of ongoing support as more popular genres like multiplayer or action games. That’s why fans get really excited when a major new stealth game is announced.

Although a true Dishonored 3 seems unlikely, the developers at Cyanide are creating a game that captures its spirit. Styx: Blades of Greed builds on the stealth gameplay fans enjoyed in previous Styx titles, while also drawing inspiration from other popular stealth games. I’m excited about its early 2026 release and optimistic that it will help the stealth genre thrive.

Styx: Blades Of Greed Is The Sequel Dishonored Fans Deserve

I’ve always loved how the Styx games are all about staying hidden. They never tried to make me a powerful fighter; instead, they pushed me to be patient, really look at my surroundings, and use the environment to my advantage. While you can fight, it’s almost never the smartest move. Luckily, the games usually give you a bunch of different ways to get through each situation or puzzle. That’s what immediately made me think of Dishonored – it’s one of the best stealth series ever, and Styx feels really similar in that way.

Styx: Blades of Greed improves upon what made the previous games successful instead of simplifying them. The game now emphasizes levels designed with verticality, offers several ways to sneak through each area, and rewards players for trying different approaches instead of just fighting their way through. These elements are what fans loved about Dishonored and Dishonored 2, and Styx’s new abilities, powered by Quartz, feel very similar to those games.

I have fond memories of first playing Dishonored when a friend lent it to me in high school. I’d played stealth games before, but Dishonored really took the genre to another level. I lost countless hours carefully sneaking around rooftops, planning my routes, and feeling proud that I was figuring things out on my own. The Styx series has always given me a similar feeling, particularly because it frames mistakes as learning opportunities. I think Styx: Blades of Greed has the potential to bring back that same excitement for me, and for many other players.

Stealth Games Are Getting An Upgrade With Styx

Man, stealth games have come a long way! I remember playing Thief: The Dark Project way back when, and it was all about listening for footsteps and staying in the shadows. Then games like Splinter Cell came along and really tightened up the gameplay, making everything feel super precise. More recently, Dishonored blew my mind by mixing stealth with cool powers and a really immersive world. Now, Styx: Blades of Greed feels like it takes a little bit of everything I loved from those games – the old-school focus on sound and light, the tight controls, and that open-ended, immersive feel.

The game prioritizes understanding both the environment and enemy patterns, and blends these with modern features like character skill development and missions that offer multiple approaches. This design draws inspiration from successful stealth games over the last twenty years. Many games treat stealth as an optional feature, which often leaves it feeling incomplete. However, Styx: Blades of Greed fully commits to stealth as the core gameplay experience. Everything in the game – from its systems to its mechanics – is built around sneaking, careful observation, and using the environment to your advantage.

All game systems allow players to sneak, observe, and interact with their surroundings. This consistent design approach is something many modern stealth games are currently lacking. The focus isn’t on flashy effects, but on making the core gameplay better – things like more intelligent enemy behavior, cleverly designed levels, and tools that let players be creative without being overly complicated. These changes demonstrate that stealth games can improve and become more sophisticated while still staying true to what makes them fun.

The Future Of Stealth Games Is Uncertain

Even though many games are praised by critics, stealth games are still considered a gamble for developers. Companies like Arkane, known for Dishonored, have struggled with various difficulties. Popular series like Splinter Cell haven’t had new releases in years. Publishers often focus on games that will appeal to a wider audience, which means stealth games, enjoyed by a smaller group of players, often get overlooked. Plus, when popular games awkwardly force players into stealth sections, it can create a negative impression of the genre overall.

Recently, Star Wars Outlaws aimed to be a large-scale stealth game, but it received criticism for its basic stealth gameplay and unpredictable enemy behavior. Its struggles served as a cautionary tale, and it created doubts among fans about the future of stealth games – even a Star Wars title couldn’t guarantee success in the genre.

The anticipation surrounding Styx: Blades of Greed goes beyond a typical sequel. After eight years, Cyanide revisiting this popular series indicates there’s still a demand for stealth games that challenge players, prioritize thoughtful pacing, and encourage inventive solutions. This release is significant – a strong performance could revitalize the stealth genre, while a disappointing one might confirm the industry’s fear that players aren’t interested in this type of gameplay.

It’s a lot to ask of any game, but Styx is well-suited to deliver because it knows exactly what its players want. Styx: Blades of Greed isn’t trying to revolutionize the genre; it’s focused on honoring the art of stealth gameplay. In a gaming world often focused on bigger and more flashy experiences, this focus on restraint is a welcome change. Whether it revitalizes the genre or simply reminds us what makes stealth games great, it’s definitely worth checking out for fans and anyone curious about the genre.

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2026-01-06 17:42