Stealth Boom Boom | A Stealth Video Games Podcast

A group of men that worked in the world of educational software used to get together and play Doom multiplayer one day wondered if they could make their own games. So, they called themselves Monolith Productions and got to work. We’re going back 25 years to 2000 to take a look at a first-person shooter set in stylised 1960s. We’re talking The Operative: No One Lives Forever. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about the removal of Adam Church and MI0 to avoid comparison to James Bond, the importance of Fox Interactive coming onboard when they did, and why the Scottish protagonist sounds the way she does. We also look at them trying to create distance between NOLF and Austin Powers, unsigned musicians, and the 11 (or maybe 2?) senses bad guys have in the game. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: the weird limbo the rights live in and a community that’s kept the game playable; some very cool stealth ideas, very few of which appear to actually come…

Despite being made up of people with many years of experience, Obsidian Entertainment – arguably one of the more beloved developers making games today – were still very much in their early years while making this James Bond, Jack Bauer, and Jason Bourne-inspired game. We’re going back 15 years to 2010 to take a look at a third-person shooter-cum-RPG featuring a rookie secret agent whose surname is not Thornton. We’re talking Alpha Protocol. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about cult classics, yivwovs, and a very 007-esque CG trailer. We also look at an absolutely phenomenal music video that reminds you of the protagonist’s name, how you can’t see everything in one playthrough, and what the people of 2013 would remember about this game. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: CD Projekt Red putting this game back on sale; hivemind bad guys that can see you from a distance that’s hard to measure with alarms you can turn off, which makes you think…

For a record-breaking fourth time – a second time this year alone – we are looking at a game from the back catalogue of Sucker Punch Productions. And this series is special to this podcast, because it is the very first game we ever reviewed. We’re going back 20 years to 2005 to take a look at a stealth action mascot platformer featuring a thieving North American mammal. We’re talking Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about some wonderfully silly telly ads, a box that is delightfully of the era, and how this studio was always planning to work on something different after this game. We also look at two workman-like trailers, and Sly Cooper taking the leap into 3D (we cannot confirm if Stuart or Hong Kong ever got to experience third dimension raccoon). Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: stealth mechanics that were introduced in Sly 2 return – hiding under tables, staying out of the light emitting from baddies’…

We’re revisiting a developer on this episode that had an idea with with the Penumbra series that would revolutionise the horror genre. But not until they refined it and popularised said idea with the game we’re looking at on this episode. We’re going back to 2010 to take a look at a first-person survival horror game set in 1800s Prussia. We’re talking Amnesia: The Dark Descent. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about the very first Humble Indie Bundle, the concept of self, and how the audio was created with pipes and descriptions. We also look at the beginnings of recording yourself while playing a game, how the studio went from Lux Tenebras to Unknown before they settled on a final name, and whether or not there is too much death in video games. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: a few quick thoughts on the Justine DLC; serviceable nuts and bolts stealth with rules that you’re not fully aware of; Alien: Isolation and Outlast type monsters that…

We’re back after our summer holidays and kicking off the second half of season 3 by looking at a particular Washington-based developer that we’ve looked at many times before, Sucker Punch Productions. After chatting about two-thirds of their raccoon trilogy on this very podcast, we’re taking a look at something that is much more recent, much more grown-up, much more samurai. We’re going back to 2020 to take a look at an open-world, action-adventure game set during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. We’re talking Ghost of Tsushima. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about tourism, whether Akira Kurosawa mode is just a black and white filter and nothing more, and there’s what some people are calling “a surprising amount of Infamous chat”, too. We also look at how they tried to balance authenticity with audience expectation, finishing a game during a global pandemic, and there’s a heated discussion about wind. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review:…

In the late 90s, John Romero convinced Warren Spector to join his studio in order to make the game of his dreams. This game was something Spector had been thinking about since 1993. It had a couple of names over the years – Troubleshooter being one, and Shooter: Majestic Revelations being another – but one thing remained the same: it was ambitious. We’re going back to 2000 to take a look at a first-person shooter, that is also a stealth game, that is also an RPG – so I guess we can call this one an immersive sim. We’re talking Deus Ex On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about Ion Storm’s origins, Daikatana, and how one developer was going to make you his bitch. We also look at how that Dallas attitude affected Austin, the difficulty in marketing a game that’s quite different to everything else out there, how being a pacifist is okay actually, and how single player games are not dead. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: the Revision mod; stealth…

In 2005, filmmaker Christopher Nolan was about to become mainstream with the first movie in his superhero trilogy. Meanwhile, a group of developers in Derby were working on a video game tie-in for said movie that wouldn’t turn out to be quite as popular. We’re taking a look at an action adventure game that was neither a precursor to a game based on The Dark Knight, nor The Dark Knight Returns. We’re talking Batman Begins. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about trailers that feature Batman smiling, Trailer Voice Man, and Phoenix International. We also look at how important it was for this to be an interactive version of the movie in almost every way, as well as a cavalcade of celebs: a disinterested Morgan Freeman, a bloodthirsty Cillian Murphy, anbemused Michael Caine, and a Christian Bale that thinks all this video game stuff is a complete waste of time. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: the first glimpses of many things that would become…

Imagine a game so successful that during the making of it, you actually end up coming up with three games. That’s what Capcom did when they were prototyping Resident Evil 4. They got that, they got Devil May Cry and they also got the game we’re talking about on this podcast. We’re going back to 2005 to take a look at a survival horror that didn’t get quite as many sequels as those other series just mentioned. We’re talking Haunting Ground. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about the much better Japanese name of DEMENTO, as well as a tagline that Josh likes and doesn’t like at all. We also look at a trailer with a lot of slobbering and panting, their reasons for including a dog, and mo-capping said dog. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: being reactive after you are definitely spotted by one of your pursuers; hiding under beds, inside wardrobes, and behind doors; Alien: Isolation; a distinct lack of fear; special hiding spots; Hewie the attack…

After the launch of Don’t Starve, Canadian developer Klei Entertainment was on solid ground in every way. They’d put their hand to many genres and had been successful in pretty much all of them. We’re going back to 2015 (or 2013, if you want to include this game’s EARLY early access launch) when they revisited sneaking, but put a different spin on what they’d done before. We’re talking Invisible, Inc. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about why this game changed its name, and what stealthy aspects they could explore here that they didn’t in Mark of the Ninja. We also look at trying to enjoy the journey in difficult games, rather than just seeking the reward; and we chat about how much we enjoy early access vs its importance to devs. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: Soliton Radar: The Game; red, yellow, and blue EVERYWHERE; peeking around corners to uncover more of the map; Monaco: What’s Yours Is Mine; a camera you don’t have full control of;…

What do you do when you have a brand new handheld console coming out? You turn to a series that is synonymous with your home console. We’re going back to late 2004 (or early 2005… or late 2005, depending on the region you’re in) to look at a turn-based strategy spin-off. We’re talking Metal Gear Acid (or Metal Gear Ac!d, however you’re meant to pronounce that). On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about importing a Japanese PSP as well as an American UMD, and a back of the box for the handheld’s launch window. We also look at how acid dissolves metal, fashionable acid jazz, and Colm does his longest “how does this game play?” bit ever. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: Hitman Go; doing nothing, watching the enemy, and plotting a route; trying to figure out if a gun without a silencer is just as quiet as a gun that does have a silencer; hiding quite important things like how to view the map from an aerial view and how to shoot some weapons;…

We’re going back into the shadows and listening out for footsteps on tiled floors, as we revisit a series that all of us enjoyed back in season 1. We’re going back 25 years to 2000 to look at a massively influential first-person stealth game. We’re talking Thief II: The Metal Age. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about the architecture of Meet Joe Black, co-operative thieving, and crunching to hit the release date. We also look at a trailer that Eddie Vedder (and by extension John McEnroe) would be happy with, some of the hopes developer Looking Glass Studios had for the franchise, and the closure of the studio only months after launch. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: staying in the pitch black shadows and extinguishing flames with your water arrows; walking on carpet and shooting at tiled floors with your moss arrows; the Stealth Strepsil; the guards that never shut up; many different ways to move; new magic potions; the Scouting Orb and…

Who knew that a Jack Nicholson-sounding extra-terrestrial in a Grand Theft Auto-like would become a cult classic? We’re going back 20 years to 2005 to look at a third-person action-adventure game that spawned more sequels than you realise. We’re talking Destroy All Humans! On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about Pandemic Studios family-friendly game that accidentally led to a violent, angry alien blowing things up. We also look at the original E3 trailer and whether this game was going to be sneakier, a banger track for the Japanese audience, King of the Hill and some theremin. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: looking like a human thanks to the easy-to-use (but also limiting in some ways [but also not difficult to circumnavigate those limitations]) Holobob; becoming more mentally powerful via the thoughts of others; being aware of nearby, pesky Majestic agents; a GTA wanted level system that mostly works but is not without jank; hypnotising,…

We’re living by honour and killing by stealth… again. For only the second time ever (although it will be happening a lot more throughout this season), we are returning to a series. We’re going back to 2000 to look at a third-person stealth-action game. We’re talking Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about Rich spending his 18th birthday making levels in the mission editor, Josh’s fondness for Tekken 3 (oh that volleyball was classic, wasn’t it?), and bent coppers. We also get an apology for the lack of a PS2 version, word of 21 new stealth techniques, and a note on regional differences Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: trying to judge how far away enemies are with the Ki meter without seeing them; differing opinions on the brilliance of guards’ eyes and ears; a very sneaky and very slow crouch; movement that some people love and other people don’t like one bit; a redundant right stick; movable corpses…

On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at a lead character’s striking resemblance to a West Bromwich Albion fan and Guardian columnist (see: the bust on this episode’s cover art). We also take a look at the origins of a small, independent, Japanese developer called Capcom, and how these big fights actually happened IRL. Crazy, right? Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: Dr. Otto Octavius as played by Alfred Molina; a surprising level of sophistication in relation to the sound you make and the guards can hear; Assassin’s Creed social stealth; Hitman disguises and the multiple choice quiz you might have to take when someone’s suspicious; holding items behind your back; being punished for not completing stealth sections in a very specific way; the pain of an accidental jog; connected environments to can creep around; picking up coins to furnish your flat; Dead Rising; the chaos of battles being you vs LOADS; the balancing act of both the nasty and the silly…

What do you do after you’ve had one successful first-person zombie game that is owned by a publisher? You don’t develop the proper sequel in that series and you instead make your own version of that thing. We’re going back to 2015 to look at a first-person zombie action survival game. We’re talking Dying Light. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at Techland finding their niche in the zombie world with Dead Island, before their relationship with that game’s publisher ended. We also discuss a a very good tagline that was almost definitely inspired by George Clooney; an announcement trailer that was almost definitely inspired by Peep Show; a world-building trailer that was almost definitely inspired by those poetry adverts; Techland’s answer to a housing crisis; and battering punching bags in the car park. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: the vicious, running Volatile zombies give chase at night; GTA 4 police radar; fairly uninteresting nighttime…

Around this time of the year, other video games podcasts will be doing their game of the year pods and talking about games like Astro Bot, Tekken 8, Helldivers 2, Dragon's Dogma 2, Silent Hill 2, Hades II, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Balatro, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Animal Well, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and others. Well... NOT US! This episode is the culmination of the second year of Stealth Boom Boom. And that means this is the 2nd Annual Stealth Boom Boom Awards – Game of the Year 2024. In other words... The Boomies! On this podcast you'll hear us discuss the 20 games we've reviewed on the podcast this year. Over the course of this mammoth 3+ hour episode, you will hear us organise that list of 20 games into a top 20. There are some changes to the format this year, but fans of last year's goty pod needn't worry because one thing had to make a comeback: TOMOTTOM. Once we've gone through the Tomottom phase,…

Richard Marcinko was a U.S. Navy Seal, a Vietnam War veteran and an author. And in the mid-00s, Bethesda and Zombie Studios were going to make a video game based on him. And then that changed to Bethesda and Rebellion. We’re going back to 2009 to look at a first-person shooter featuring Demo Dick. We’re talking Rogue Warrior. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at a video game that we didn’t play over the last two weeks called Rogue Warrior: Black Razor. We also discuss a great box, one single trailer, how Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning actor Mickey Rourke got involved, and much the real-life Marcinko likes knives. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: briskly strolling up behind a blissfully ignorant enemy and murdering him in the most vicious possible way a.k.a. THE KILL MOVE; a knife guy; an irrelevant radar; a hidden, game-changing third-person perspective cover mechanic; Arkham Asylum’s Predator Mode; silenced pistol divisiveness; superfluous night…

After years of making bloody, adult, violent video games, the Danish video games developer we’re talking about today decided to make something that they could play with their kids. We’re going back to 2009 to look at a third-person action-adventure game featuring some small shinobi. We’re talking Mini Ninjas. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at the origins of Hitman developer IO Interactive and how that series influenced their family-friendly game. We also discuss the perceived target audience for this, and an animated series that reminds Adam of fake merchandise. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: memorable box art; samurai with impeccable eyesight; turning into a chicken or bear or an oddly-faced monkey; being spotted in the long grass; a discussion on whether you kids of 15 years ago liked being sneaky; being rewarded for murder and thus punished for playing stealthily; boring button-mashing combat (or something slightly different for those on…

In 1979, the screenplay of Dan O’Bannon was turned into a movie directed by a fledgling English filmmaker named Ridley Scott, and starring a young actress called Sigourney Weaver. It did alright. There were some more movies, some comics, some books, loads of merch, and even a few video games. We’re going back to 2014 to look at a first-person survival horror game that divided opinion. We’re talking Alien: Isolation. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at a phone call that lead developer Creative Assembly to working on FIFA International Soccer, all the way to the Sega acquisition. We also discuss how the difficulty was being addressed before the game came out; Harry Dean Stanton’s reaction to how old the original film was when he was being interviewed, and how the team really wanted to distance themselves from Aliens: Colonial Marines. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: a nameless Tesco employee; a strong, scary, smart, stomping xenomorph; feeling…

How many Slack conversations have you had that have been life-changing? If you answered anything other than “zero”, you are a liar. OR you are a member of the team that made the game we’re talking about on this podcast. We’re going back to 2019 to look at a stealth-puzzle game that became a phenomenon. We’re talking Untitled Goose Game. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at developer House House’s confusion around why people didn’t like the bird made up of two colours. We also discuss the use of sandbox on the physical box; three minutes of gameplay that put the game on people’s radars; and celebrities like Mark Hoppus, Chrissy Teigen, Kyle MacLachlan and Beaker. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: being seen on purpose to manipulate and misdirect villagers; too many opportunities to brute force; HONKING; taking a corner like a car; a slapstick, warm Hitman; a stellar Hyacinth Bucket impression; maintaining eye contact; lineless, pastel CBBC…

There were a lot of big games out 20 years – many of those games we’ve reviewed on this podcast, this year. But this game involving a raccoon, a turtle and a hippo is a special game for us, as it is the first time we are going back to a series for a look at a second game. We’re going back to 2004 to look at a 3D platformer that has big Ocean’s 11 energy. We’re talking Sly 2: Band of Thieves. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at what developer Sucker Punch Productions were thinking going into this sequel, including how they really wanted to put a big emphasis on the game’s heists. We also discuss the improved AI the team was striving for, a Ratchet & Clank demo, the inspiration of Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, and a woman named La La Anthony. Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: patrolling guards and their flashlights that are basically vision cones; a health bar; enemies that can hear you run; tables you can now hide under; improved stealth fundamentals;…

A decade ago, a small indie developer called Dynamighty got a phone call (NB: don't know if it was a phone call.... could've been an email, a fax, carrier pigeon, or many other multiple means of communication) from a large publisher called Sony. And a game about the cold war was born! We're going back to 2014 to look at a 2D stealth-action game about a spy that infiltrates superpower bases. We're talking CounterSpy. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we discuss how the team was influenced by Bond (but apparently there was a much darker version of CounterSpy in the works at one stage, too). We also chat about the founders LucasArts and Pixar heritage and whether or not they named their company after early 00s British singer/rapper Ms. Dynamite. In our review, you'll hear some chat on the Lacanch Range Master; you go from left-to-right, but enemy guards are living in 3D; trying to figure out a safe distance; blowing up safes around the ever-suspicious guards; no real way to break up the pack; cruel AI; the…

Independent developer Airtight Games partnered with Square Enix around a decade ago to prove that the hardest murder to solve is in fact your own. In many ways, that is a factual statement. In relation to this game, however... not so sure. We're going back to 2014 to look at a third-person adventure game about a ghost detective. We're talking Murdered: Soul Suspect. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at Airtight's difficult beginning, middle and end, with some higlights including Dark Void and the Ouya. We also chat about how a considerable amount of this game's pre-launch marketing really positioned Murdered as a horror game, and Die Hard. In our review, you'll hear some chat on why this game even has stealth sections where you're bothering crows, hiding in spectral residue pockets, and sending demons back down to Hell via QTEs; escort missions where you must turn on specific printers and TVs; L.A. Noire; pixel-hunting at a crime scene and then selecting solutions until the game allows you…

20 years ago, Starbreeze Studios was going through some tough times, and they were looking for one of their games to be the hit they needed. Across the water, Hollywood actor Vin Diesel was looking to get into video games with his new company called Tigon Studios. So, they decided to come together, and they launched a stealth-FPS in 2004. We're talking The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at the developer's really rocky path to their first Riddick game, and discuss whether the general public would be excited about seeing Normal Mapping on the box. We also mention late 90s / early 00s rapper Xzibit and his thoughts on Pac-Man. In our review, you'll hear some chat on how this game is as dark as Splinter Cell and Thief, but not as deep; the oddity that is Eyeshine; our feelings towards the trade off of a sleek and minimal HUD vs ambiguity when it comes to the safe zone of an enemy’s vision cone; Adam’s preview of Assault on Dark Athena; being a…

25 years ago, a PlayStation-exclusive was released that required a new peripheral called the DualShock It had not one, not three, but TWO ANALOG STICKS. So, this one definitely made an impact at the time. We're going back to 1999 to look at a 3D platformer chock full of puzzles and monkeys to collect. We're talking Ape Escape. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at how Japan Studio had to communicate how players would use their new controller, and some big TV ad campaigns that ran in the States. We also take a look at some Japanese adverts that we would've welcomed on out television screens back in the day. In our review, you'll hear some chat on a giant satellite dish called a Monkey Radar that tells you where the escaped apes are (as well as how quick, powerful, and perceptive they are); an enemy’s trousers tell you a lot; the Metal Gear Solid similarities in the game’s visual language; going into the foetal position and being “nearly invisible”; catching a monkey sneakily vs them seeing…

In June, 2012, almost every member of the general public decided they witnessing something special. The dissenting voices were few and far between. And then it came out two years later and opinions changed somewhat. We're going back to 2014 to look at an open-world, action-adventure hack-a-thon. We're talking Watch Dogs. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at that big E3 2012 reveal, and the connections this game has to Driver. We also chat about pockets, a behind closed door session that took a turn, a hidden-camera bit where everyone was probably an actor, some parkour (for some reason), Jimmy Fallon, an iconic special edition, and a PR stunt gone wrong. In our review, you'll hear some chat on Colm's first gaming PC; completely fine standard stealth that also has plenty of limitations; travelling around a space via CCTV cameras, and setting off car alarms, all while standing outside the gate; Astral Projection from Second Sight; hiding in the front seat of a car; weapons that are a means…

After years of being a support studio on Pixar games, and dabbling in new technology like the Kinect and HoloLens, French developer Asobo Studio got to work on the game that would be their breakout hit. We're going back to 2019 to take a look at a stealthy, puzzly action-adventure game. We're talking A Plague Tale: Innocence. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at the big The Last of Us vibes this game was giving off pre-release. We also talk about why Sean Bean is in one of the trailers, the fact they employed kids to voice the characters, and the fact this game is not completely based on fact. In our review, you'll hear some chat on no frills stealth that some think is fine, some think is boring, but everyone thinks works; a tension that never lessens; curated scenarios that don't allow for a ton of experimentation; flinging rocks, sneakily, at the heads of The Inquisition guards with your sling; the glorious filth bag rats that are sometimes your enemy, sometimes your friend, sometimes…

Being done with Syphon Filter, and having some successes with a Resistance spinoff and an Uncharted spinoff, Bend Studio got to work on Sony's next big PlayStation exclusive. We're going back to 2019 to take a look at an open-world action-adventure game. We're talking Days Gone. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at how folks at the studio just could get people to understand that this definitely isn't a zombie game, but how they also had to fight zombie fatigue in potential customers. We also discuss – in a rare move for us – some post-launch Days Gone news and some of the comments made by people who worked on the game. In our review, you'll hear some chat on more on-screen stealth indicators than anticipated (that are often irrelevant because they just repeat information you can get elsewhere); avoiding revving your engine; sneaking around enemies that may or may not see you; throwing rocks; a rigid and dull system when up against humans vs a more tense time when up against the Freakers at…

Square Enix Montreal were initially going to be making the next big PC and console game in the Hitman series, until they were put on mobile phone duty. A third of the team left because they were so gutted. And then the remainder created a 2014 turn-based puzzle game. We're talking Hitman Go. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at the formation of the studio, and the board game idea was first prototyped. We also discuss the golden era of mobile games and whether we played them, as well as a nice physical model and whether or not this game might've grabbed a few Candy Crush or Words With Friends In our review, you'll hear some chat on enemies with different coloured jackets and narrow vision cones, giant potted plants to hide in, okay instafail because of a quick restart, translating the parts of big Hitman for small Hitman, they move only when you move (but can you make fewer moves), optional objectives and replayability, firing your sniper rifle at a statue (or getting a double-kill), the…

After effectively creating the Soulsborne genre and having a wild amount of success with it, one of the most celebrated developers of the 21st century decided to tinker the formula once more. And, again, to great success. We're going back to 2019, to a stealth action game that picked up so many game of the year awards that particular year. We're talking Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at the early days of FromSoftware and how it took the studio close to two decades to achieve overnight success. We also discuss a YouTuber making the Loaded Axe and Loaded Umbrella in real life, as well as the link between this game and Tenchu. Of course, there's some chat on the differences between this game and Dark Souls / Bloodborne that were highlighted in pre-launch interviews... and there's some talk on the dreaded difficulty discourse that comes up around every From Software game launch. In our review, you'll hear some chat on the advantages of taking a stealthy approach…

Around 20 years ago, J.J. Abrams and Jennifer Garner came together to produce one of the most popular shows on TV for a number of years. What's the next logical step? Make a game based on it, of course. We're going back to 2004 to a stealth action game that based on a hit ABC TV programme. We're talking Alias. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at the topsy-turvy history of Acclaim Entertainment. We also discuss a trailer that had quite a few live-action shots of the TV show in it, as well as a featurette that includes a celebrity being genuinely excited about the video game they're in. In our review, you'll hear some chat on crab walking and competency, mission-specific spy gadgets, semi-involved hacking puzzles, enhanced vision, some Hitman-like wardrobe changes (and the outrageous outfits), split screen moments, punching and kicking that has a bit to it but is ultimately very clunky, weapon degradation that is astoundingly represented via in-game visuals, Broom or Fist, museums and…

The game we're discussing today may have the most star-studded cast of any game we'll ever review: Mya, Shannon Elizabeth, Heidi Klum, Judi Dench, John Cleese, Willem Dafoe and Pierce Brosnan. We're going back to 2004 to an action-adventure game starring one of the world's most famous fictional agents. We're talking James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at the early days of Visceral Games (when they were still called EA Redwood Shores). We also discuss a teaser trailer that doesn't have Bond's voice and gives GoldenEye vibes, as well as some top celeb interviews about facial expressions and the size of controllers when in the hands of Richard Kiel. In our review, you'll hear some chat on the co-op campaign that Josh enjoyed 20 years ago, a decent amount of opportunities to employ serviceable stealth, how we see the character fitting in stealthy scenarios, the Q Spider and your modest assortment of gadgets, the Nano Suit and a draining battery, an INVISIBLE CAR…

Five years ago, there was a little bit of buzz around a game that Square Enix was publishing. Some of the people involved in making it had worked on Dark Souls, Armored Core, Metal Gear Solid. But, then it came out, and people were not happy one bit. We're going back to 2019 to look at a stealth-action survival game that was a Front Mission spin-off. We're talking LEFT ALIVE. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how something resembling a bit of a dream team was brought together to make this game at developer Ilinx. We also discuss how Toshifumi Nabeshima was fielding questions about how hard the game was before it was even released, as well as that initial response from the general public. In our review, you'll hear some chat on the trouble with normal difficulty, the enemies' exceptional vision, the red laser sights of 100 guns pointing at you, Casual Mode and how it actually allows you to perform stealth takedowns, flying drones (that can move at speed on the ground), running away from…

In the late '90s, Sony was looking for an action espionage thriller. They were looking for their GoldenEye. So, they turned to the only studio they knew that could pull it off: the one that made Bubsy 3D. We're going back to 1999 to look at the first game in a long-running PlayStation exclusive series. We're talking Syphon Filter. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how the first iteration of this game was set 200 years in the future in a a post-apocalypse world. We also discuss how developer Eidetic (who would go onto become Bend Studio) were "making it up as [they] went along," as well as the TV advert that was very PlayStation. In our review, you'll hear some chat on the OPM 47 demo disc, the ambiguity of safe distances to enemies and the noise you make while crouching, Buzz Lightyear, a distinct lack of cover, a radar that doesn't stick to the rules, enemies that appear out of thin air, tank controls (but mostly strafing), a gymnast's somersault, a weighty secret agent, running through…

What does a podcast that looks at older stealth / stealthy videos games do after reviewing Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy on its last episode? It goes back 20 years to look at a stealth-action game from 2004 that is often compared to the aforementioned Psi-Ops! We're talking Second Sight! On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at the formation of developer Free Radical Design and how Redemption was going to be their first game before Timesplitters was even thought about. We also discuss the work of Death In Paradise's Jermain Julien on a behind-the-scenes feature, as well as what David Doak was saying publicly about the studio's number one competition. In our review, you'll hear some chat on enemies with awful peripheral vision, MGS touches like lockers and surveillance cameras, avoidance as an option, how two of us missed quite important in-game prompts, herky-jerky movement, decent and alright and grand stealth sections, optional Resident Evil camera, the Charm (and power) of invisibility,…

It's time to do it again as we kick off Stealth Boom Boom season 2! According to our first game of 2024, your mind is the ultimate weapon. In fairness, that does make sense; if you're reading this, your brain is capable of big things (because you're an intelligent person who is about to listen to this podcast). We're going back 20 years to look at a cult classic third-person action-adventure game from 2004. We're talking Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at the storied history of Midway Games and how Metal Gear Solid inspired the team to begin development on ESPionage. We also discuss COLD and their rock n' roll banger With My Mind, as well as how the story of The Mindgate Conspiracy was quite similar to the story of an unreleased movie. In our review, you'll hear some chat on Far Cry-like perceptive enemies, a prompt to be mindful of your sound (even though it seems like it doesn't matter?), a silenced pistol that is absolutely pointless, training sections that…

Around this time of the year, other video games podcasts will be doing their game of the year pods and talking about games like Alan Wake 2, Baldur's Gate 3, Super Mario Bros Wonder, Spider-Man 2, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. NOT US! No, no, no. This is the culmination of the first year of Stealth Boom Boom. And that means this is the 1st Annual Stealth Boom Boom Awards – Game of the Year 2023. In other words... The Boomies! On this podcast you'll hear us discuss the 25 games we've reviewed on the podcast this year. Over the course of this mammoth 3+ hour episode, you will hear us organise that list of 25 games into a top 25. Firstly, we try and place games into our three groups – the Bottom 9, the Middle 8, and the Top 8. However, as you'll hear, something called TOMOTTOM quickly becomes integral to proceedings. Once we've placed games into their groups, we then order each individual group. And, ultimately, we end up determining Stealth Boom Boom’s game of the year for 2023. These descriptions…

In the summer of 2000, celebrated animation UK animation studio Aardman Animations released their first feature-length film in cinemas around the world. Chicken Run was a phenomenal success, becoming the highest-grossing stop-motion animation movie of all time. We're going back 23 years to look at the game based on that very movie. Yep. We're talking Chicken Run. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at the Oliver Twins and their journey from bedroom developers to Blitz Games (the studio behind this particular movie tie-in). We also talk about the Game Boy Color version because why not, and how Chicken Run is the game that beat Colm's research methods. In our review you'll hear some chat on Metal Gear Solid But For Kids, the efficacy of confusing dogs with brussel sprouts, Harry Gregson-Williams, thieving from other games, the very odd choices made around the exceptionally awkward camera, losing quest-pivotal items when you're caughts, happy running around vibes, love for '00s style mini-games,…

After discussing Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines, and Metal Gear Solid, we are – for the final time in the first year of Stealth Boom Boom – returning to 1998, the Year of Stealth. We're going back 25 years to look at the first-person sneaker that influenced so many that came after. We're talking Thief: The Dark Project (... or Thief Gold...) On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at the origins of Looking Glass Studios and how they started making a 6D video game based on King Arthur before landing on the video game that is beloved by many today. We also talk about some ROCKING promo music and some classic '90s (friendly) mudslinging between LGS and id Software. In our review, you'll hear some chat on moving from shadow to shadow, dropping bodies in the dark, sneaky leans and sneaky walks, Tomb Raider 2, smooth acrobatics, a magical bow that shoots magical water and moss arrows, loud tiles and quiet carpets, enemies that both whistle AND sing, quite a few mentions of Splinter…

19 years after writer Jean Van Hamme and artist William Vance created a Belgian comic that revolved around a very strong and athletic amnesiac, Ubisoft decided to create a video game adaptation of it. We're going back to 2003 to look at a stealthy first-person shooter. We're talking XIII. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how the comic book's story and art compare to that of what Ubisoft Paris created (and how people thought the source material was "ugly" apparently). We also make note of how the leading man and woman – David Duchovny and EVE – were feeling about XIII before it came out. In our review, you'll hear some chat on Josh's fourteen copies of the game, an advert for our podcast on the XIII remake (coming 2029), TAP TAP TAP (and how style meets function with onomatopoeic SFX), surveillance camera pop-up panels, The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, whacking brooms over the heads of others, the ludicrously overpowered crossbow, varied ammo drops, BAAOOM BAAOOM, the reward for a…

Rockstar North was on a real high. They were coming off of the both the biggest game of 2001, Grand Theft Auto 3, AND the biggest game of 2002, Grand That Auto: Vice City. The series that saw you stealing cars and driving dangerously through pedestrian-filled streets had propelled them into video game superstardom. Then they decided to do something quite different. We're going back to 2003 to take a look at one of the most controversial video games of all time. We're talking about Manhunt. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how DMA Design became the biggest developer in the world (while also swearing loads in interviews like absolute mad lads). We also discuss New Zealand's history with the game, as well as how Manhunt was briefly connected to a murder story. In our review, you'll hear some chat on how the stealth is dependable to some and boring to others, James Earl Cash and his Splinter Cell love of shadows, battering walls with your fists to attract the attention of guards, the SOCOM PS2…

In 1999, Keiichiro Toyama and Team Silent created one of the most-celebrated horror video games of all time: Silent Hill. Almost every superlative you can think of was thrown at Harry Mason's jaunt around the foggy American town. A few years later, Toyama and others that worked on the Konami classic took their talents elsewhere and tried to do it all again. We're going back to 2003 to look at a PlayStation 2-exclusive horror game. We're talking about Forbidden Siren (or just Siren for some of you). On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how developer Project Siren was keen to work on a horror game with more of a Japanese flavour, citing the J-horror boom as reason enough to give it a go. We also discuss how one TV ad for the game had to be cancelled after seven (7!) complaints, as well as how they pushed that Forbidden Siren was much more hardcore than other games of this ilk. In our review, you'll hear some chat on how Sightjacking is a very cool idea (and also how two of us think it doesn't work,…

During the mid-to-late 2000s, film fans were breaking down the doors of cinemas all over the world in order to see how new life had been given to the Batman. Around this time, the alter ego of Bruce Wayne had a similar renaissance in video games. We're going back to 2009 in order to look at the action-adventure game that became the measuring stick for future comic book games. We're talking Batman: Arkham Asylum. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how a young English developer named Rocksteady Studios was tasked with bringing the story of Batman writer Paul Dini to life. We also discuss how getting the cape right was so important to Brian and all his colleagues, as well as how a singer almost owned Eidos Interactive. In our review, you'll hear some chat on the sameyness of (most) Predator rooms – but also gargoyles with dynamite on them, how Detective Mode is OP, What's The Time Mr. Scarecrow, the rhythmic flow of punching and kicking baddies, the superhero launching himself at said baddies,…

Before Gus Fring from Breaking Bad signed on, before you were doing some first-person platforming up a tower, and before your map was filled with icons, this series had you mowing down some angry monkeys, angry men, and angry monkey men. We're going back almost 20 years, to 2004, to look at a first-person shooter that spawned many sequels. We're talking Far Cry. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how X-Isle got the attention of Nvidia, many years before the dinosaur island became Far Cry. We also discuss how Crytek were always looking to mix action and stealth in the game, as well as some dream casting for the Uwe Boll film. In our review, you'll hear some chat on how to pronounce the name of the game, how you're noisier when dragging your belly on the ground, the excellent sight and hearing of every enemy, BIG ZOOM ENERGY, the stealth-o-meter, tagging guys via your binoculars, thermal goggles that make the Splinter Cell (and X-Files) noise, the MP5, the Trigens that can leap up into the air,…

Around the early 2010s, there was a real boom in first-person horror-stealth and today we're looking at one of the most popular games in said genre. We're going back a decade, to 2013, to look at a video game that has since spawned two sequels – one of which only came out this year. We're talking Outlast. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we talk about how developer Red Barrels was set up by three people who had some stealth pedigree, having previously worked on both Assassin's Creed and Splinter Cell. We also discuss how their game was inspired by Aphex Twin and Mirror's Edge, as well as how they saw the camcorder as a gun. In our review, you'll hear some chat on how the night vision camera both helps and terrifies, an asylum stuffed with batteries, a heartbeat that gets faster and faster, hiding in lockers, the thrill of being chased (and looking behind you while you're being chased), some differing opinions on the game's jump scares, staring competitions with NPCs, the fairly narrow path in Mount…

A quarter of a century ago, we got some real stealthy classics – some of which have already been covered on this very podcast. Today we're looking at the game from that year that introduced many to the fact that video games can also be a lot like movies. We're going back to 1998 to take a look at the third game in one of the genre's most beloved (and maligned) series. We're talking Metal Gear Solid. On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we talk about how director / producer / writer Hideo Kojima, who wanted to make films from a young age, broke into the games industry. We also discuss some of the very explosive, '90s ways this game was marketed. We chat about pre-launch press coverage too, which includes some Resident Evil and Lego mentions, a research trip to see a SWAT team, and some chat on the influence of Yoji Shinkawa. In our review, you'll hear some chat on the excellent Soliton Radar (and why it needs to be excellent, because the game has a fixed camera), fading footprints in the snow, chaff…

What do you do after you've already rebooted a series and have effectively gotten everything you can out of it? Well, you reboot it again and give it another go. We're going back to 2013 to take a look at the first entry in Lara Croft's third (?) series under the same name. We're talking Tomb Raider (2013)... to be specific... but obviously it's just called Tomb Raider. Yeah! On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we talk about how Batman and James Bond inspired developer Crystal Dynamics to have another go at creating a new Tomb Raider series. We discuss the marketing hype behind this game, which was partly fronted by Shazam actor Zachary Levi... sadly. We also chat about the press coverage, which includes some discussion on the protagonist apparently being relatable now because she wears trousers, an "attempted rape" scene that dominated the narrative around this game, and the sexualisation of a female video game character. In our review, you'll hear some chat on scripted stealth (and something about a…

Developer Ubisoft Montreal was given one job: make a game like Metal Gear Solid, but better. And they decided to make something a bit like MGS, but also a bit like Thief. We're going back to 2002 to look at the first entry in one of the most celebrated stealth-action series of all time. We're talking Splinter Cell... specifically Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell... just in case you find one done by someone else... On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we talk about how Splinter Cell came from a sci-fi third-person shooter called The Drift, which was almost a James Bond game. We discuss Michael Ironside basically insulting the script, how it was important for the team to make Splinter Cell feel realistic, and did we mention Splinter Cell was going to take Metal Gear Solid's lunch? In our review, you'll hear some chat on the astonishing light and dark system (and how you can create darkness by shooting out lights), hopping on the spot, the blend of silliness and Tom Clancy realism, excellent gadgets like the optic…

What does a publisher do after they've successfully resurrected a series that was laying dormant for years? Well, they put it on iPhone and iPad, silly! Or, at least that's what Square Enix did about a decade ago with Deus Ex. We're talking immersive sim-lite Deus Ex: The Fall (and also some Deus Ex: Human Revolution, because it's hard not to in relation to this). On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we talk about New Jersey-based developer N-Fusion Interactive and how they really found their niche, in the mobile games space, in the early 2010s. We discuss how they got the gig to take care of this Deus Ex spin-off, as well as how fans of Adam Jensen were a bit cross The Fall wasn't the PC and console sequel they were anticipating. In our review, you'll hear some chat on how – in 2023 – the only way to play this mobile game is on PC, inconsistent AI in The Drug Den, "prescribed verticality", vanishing bodies, how cloaking is OP, hacking and why it's brilliant or confusing (depending on who you ask),…

It all began in darkness. He awoke to a world of pain. Eric… Eric Bane. The name shot through his head like a bullet… it was his name These words will stay with you for the rest of your life once you've listened to this very episode of the Stealth Boom Boom podcast. We're going back a decade for this deep dive, as we discuss the stealth-action vampire game DARK (and definitely not Dark). On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we talk about German developer Realmforge Studios and how they really wanted you to know that their game about bloodsuckers is nothing like Twilight. No sparkly fanged creatures here. No way. We also chat about why they chose a cel-shaded artstyle, as well as why they decided to make a stealth game in the first place. In our review, you'll hear some chat on no-nonsense line-of-sight, how players of DARK are rewarded for being sneaky, the act of sucking necks dry, the top-of-class shooters of M17, the interesting idea for a save system, some motion-detecting museum exhibits, vampire…