Spy, Get Out: The best Secret Agent games
Spy video games began to gain popularity back in the 1980s, when stories about secret agents were especially popular in literature and cinema. Interest in such a setting has not waned to this day. Izvestia has compiled a selection of projects considered to be among the best and most memorable spy games, masterfully combining stealth, action and excellent plot.
007 First Light
When it was released: 2026
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2
The story of the formation of the young and daring James Bond, recruited into MI6 straight from the Royal Navy. This cinematic action-adventure explores the early days of 007's career as he navigates the dangerous world of international espionage. The gameplay combines proprietary stealth and social disguise mechanics from the creators of Hitman. And of course, the game is imbued with the classic bond style: there are high-tech gadgets from Q, and branded witty verbal sparring. Players will travel around the world and complete missions that require tactical planning and lightning reflexes. And thanks to the brilliant British voice acting cast, including Patrick Gibson as Bond and Lenny James as his mentor John Greenway, First Light feels like a full-fledged numbered film in the franchise.
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist
When it was released: 2013
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U
For a 2013 game, Blacklist still looks very decent. The legendary Sam Fisher, the head of the secret unit "Fourth Echelon", must stop a terrorist organization called the "Blacklist" before the enemy has time to implement his insidious plan. From the very first mission, the game makes it clear that there is no one right approach here. You can sneak through the shadows, silently neutralize enemies, or act more aggressively using a variety of modern weapons. Drones, sticky cameras, EMP devices and other gadgets allow you to constantly change tactics and adapt to the situation. The game supports different styles of passing: you can bet on stealthy penetration or prepare for a direct clash with opponents. Separate cooperative missions are also available, where teamwork is especially important.
Phantom Doctrine
When it was released: 2018
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The action of Phantom Doctrine takes place several years after the Second World War and takes the player to the height of the Cold War, where he will lead a secret intelligence agency. As the head of a special service, it is necessary to decide who to recruit, where to send agents, and how to uncover a global conspiracy step by step. Every mission here has consequences. A wrong decision can cost an agent's life, expose a cover-up, or set the investigation back. The game combines turn-based tactical operations with strategic base management. Between assignments, you have to study the intelligence on a special board, linking the evidence together like a detective.
No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.’s Way
When it was released: 2002
What to play on: PC
No One Lives Forever can be called one of the most stylish spy games — and even the "vintage" graphics give this fascinating and clever story a special charm. You need to play as Kate Archer, a British secret agent who is facing the threat of the H.A.R.M. organization. The plot balances serious intrigue, action and humor, and the action unfolds against the backdrop of the bright exaggerated 1960s. The missions take the player to different places, from snowy Japanese villages to the bustling streets of India and a trailer park destroyed by a tornado. Funny NPC conversations and well-designed environments bring the world to life, and almost every mission brings something new.
Skin Deep
When it was released: 2025
What to play on: PC
From the very first minutes, Skin Deep immerses you in the world of conspiracies, renegade agents and mysterious organizations. Multi-level tasks allow you to experiment with stealth and tactics, choosing different ways to achieve your goal. Fans of spy stories and branching plots will quickly feel at home here. Each mission tests the player's ingenuity, and plot twists add extra weight to the decisions. The game is designed exclusively for single-player play, but the campaign is intense enough to keep your attention for many hours. The complexity and depth of the mechanics will appeal to experienced fans of spy games, and accessibility settings will help beginners get used to it.
Operation: Tango
When it was released: 2021
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Operation: Tango builds a spy story around two players who never see the same "picture" in front of them. The first one plays as an Agent and moves directly through locations, the second one plays as a Hacker who monitors cameras and controls systems from a laptop. No one has complete information, so the success of the mission depends entirely on how well the players communicate.
The asymmetrical gameplay is the basis of the whole game. The hacker sees patrol routes and can remotely open doors, but only the Agent knows what is really going on in the room. Missions unfold in embassies, trains, data centers and other locations, and each of them tests how well the duo of players can act in a heated atmosphere and dangerous situations.
BARKOUR
When it will be released: the fourth quarter of 2026
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Those who are nostalgic for the spy movie hits "Cats vs Dogs" of the noughties will surely enjoy this project. It hasn't been released yet, but according to the developers, it should be available in the next couple of months. This is a dynamic platformer in the genre of stealth action, where the main character is an agent of the organization T.H.U.N.D.E.R. This is a dog who loves parkour, gadgets and fights with villains. The player will have to become part of an organization of canine agents and stop the insidious intrigues in an absurd but extremely curious world.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
