Play These Games If You Love Mission: Impossible!

Summary

Mission: Impossible has inspired a range of spy genre video games with diverse gameplay mechanics.
Spy thrillers can tackle social issues, as shown by Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Republique Remastered.
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell and Invisible, Inc. both pay homage to spy movies from the past and present.

Audience members are eagerly waiting for Ethan Hunt in his eighth film, titled Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. This movie marks the conclusion of nearly three decades of storytelling. Since the debut of the Mission: Impossible films, the series has significantly influenced the spy-thriller genre, inspiring other movies, television programs, and video games that followed in the footsteps of Tom Cruise’s spectacular performances.

As a fellow enthusiast, if you’re eagerly anticipating the new Mission: Impossible or are still buzzing from having just left the theater, let me tell you about some games that capture that same rush of excitement and mystery. Whether you’re drawn to the adrenaline-pumping action of first-person shooters or prefer the strategic patience required in stealth thrillers, these games offer the chance to live as a spy!

10. Mission: Impossible – Operation Surma

A Rare Time When Gamers Could Play As Ethan Hunt

Rarely do games modeled after “Mission: Impossible” prove to be of high quality, but one exceptional find was “Mission: Impossible – Operation Surma”. This game was developed by Paradigm Entertainment, known for their work on the reboot of “Spy Hunter”, and it features Ethan Hunt trying to prevent a computer virus from causing global chaos. It was released on GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say that Operation Surma isn’t perfect, but it definitely delivers the high-octane action scenes and stealth gameplay that we’ve come to expect from this franchise. The tactical use of gadgets is spot on, and even though the third-person shooter controls were initially criticized, they’ve now become the industry standard. Plus, it’s great to have Ving Rhames back as Luther, lending his support in my mission. Unfortunately, Tom Cruise isn’t reprising his role this time around, but I’m still looking forward to diving into this new adventure.

9. Deus Ex: Human Revolution

A Dark Future Full Of Cyborgs And Conspiracies

Deus Ex: Human Revolution offers an enjoyable gaming experience right from the start as Adam Jensen is initially a highly advanced cyborg. However, he functions more like a cyberpunk covert operative. He navigates diverse settings, employing a range of combat and stealth skills to confront terrorist groups, decipher challenges, and untangle complex conspiracies.

As Adam Jensen ventures deeper into a world where corporations rule over the cybernetic enhancements essential for people, the scenario grows progressively bleak. The surroundings take on a feel reminiscent of a Mission: Impossible setting; outside his primary unit, trusting others, even those he’s employed by, becomes an arduous task.

8. Invisible, Inc.

Players Have To Think Like A Super Spy To Be One

Players who relish the tactical challenges of games like XCOM and Final Fantasy Tactics can satisfy their covert agent cravings with Invisible, Inc., a game that blends turn-based strategy and tactics with the timeless appeal of spy narratives reminiscent of James Bond or The Man From UNCLE, but with a contemporary twist. Similar to other strategy games in its genre, Invisible, Inc. is known for its challenging difficulty, often requiring players to strategize several moves ahead before executing any action.

The game “Invisible, Inc.” pays tribute to classic spy movie motifs in various ways, including the sinister antagonists and outlandish world conquest plans reminiscent of films like “James Bond” or “Mission: Impossible”. Players can access systems, characters possess devices for infiltration and action, and the overall aesthetic is designed to be fashionable and streamlined.

7. James Bond 007: Everything Or Nothing

A Splinter Cell Clone In All The Best Ways

The James Bond games are generally recognized for their first-person shooting style, but the game James Bond 007: Everything Or Nothing stood out by adopting a third-person shooter perspective with an emphasis on cover fire instead. With Pierce Brosnan lending his likeness and voice to the character, Everything Or Nothing could be considered almost like a fifth movie featuring Brosnan as Bond, complete with Willem Dafoe portraying the latest antagonist.

Followers of Splinter Cell often note the resemblances to this series, given its close release timeline – a mere two years after its success. Interestingly, Splinter Cell was initially conceived as a James Bond video game. The blend of action and stealth elements was later adapted for games like From Russia With Love and 007: Blood Stone.

6. Republique Remastered

Unique Gameplay Allows The Person In The Chair To Shine

In Republique Remastered, I step into the shoes of a clever tech-whiz, more like Benji from the Mission: Impossible films played by Simon Pegg. Instead of commanding the spy directly, I’m the one sitting at the computer, providing guidance to the main character, Hope. I navigate through security cameras, instructing her on where to move, when to hide, and what to search for, creating a thrilling espionage experience from behind the screen.

Similar to numerous spy films, Republique Remastered incorporates social commentary about contemporary issues, with a primary focus on the dangers of government internet surveillance. This theme adds a layer of suspense to its distinctive gameplay mechanics. Furthermore, the vocal performances by David Hayter, Jennifer Hale, Khary Payton, Josh Keaton, and Dwight Schultz lend an authentic cinematic quality to the game.

5. GoldenEye 007

Rare Revolutionized First-Person Shooters With James Bond

Among all the James Bond games available, many gamers believe that the standout title is GoldenEye 007, particularly after its release on the Nintendo 64. This game was not just an accurate depiction of the movie it’s named after, but it also innovated several mechanics in first-person shooter games, which later became industry standards.

Without a doubt, one standout feature of the game “GoldenEye 007” is its split-screen multiplayer mode, which allows up to four players to participate in intense deathmatches featuring characters from the movie and various points in the history of “James Bond“. While the story remains captivating, immersing gamers in a world of terrorism, political intrigue, and film-inspired action sequences.

4. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell

The Series That Redefined Video Game Spy Thrillers

The Splinter Cell series of games has consistently evoked the atmosphere of Ubisoft’s interpretation of the Mission: Impossible movie series, with Sam Fisher portrayed as an operative who undertakes covert operations, and the array of tools he uses. This game has birthed numerous sequels over the years, such as Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Double Agent, Blacklist, among others.

In the initial Splinter Cell game, Sam Fisher’s style closely resembles the early Mission: Impossible films, emphasizing stealthy infiltration, tactical takedowns, and clever problem-solving over brute force. The technology is incorporated subtly to maintain realism, and Sam Fisher, like Ethan Hunt, executes his missions with speed and precision. Notably, Michael Ironside often plays Sam Fisher across multiple games, lending a filmic depth to the character.

3. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction

Sam Fisher Is Now A Rogue Operative Without Gadgets

In Splinter Cell: Conviction, Sam Fisher finds himself in a stripped-down scenario, devoid of the usual abundance of technology and weaponry he’s accustomed to. This forces him to depend on basic resources and his extensive training to survive and prevent a terrorist threat. The grittier approach taken in this game bears resemblance to the Jason Bourne films and closely mirrors the central idea of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, where Ethan and his team conduct covert operations from the shadows.

In Splinter Cell: Conviction, the series’ stealth element remains, but Sam Fisher exhibits an intense and unyielding demeanor. The gameplay leans more towards melee and shooting encounters, providing a challenge for players overly reliant on gadgets. This shift was designed to make the game accessible for newcomers who haven’t played previous entries in the franchise.

2. Perfect Dark

Joanna Dark Is A Futuristic Super Spy

In a different vein from their work on the James Bond series’ game GoldenEye 007, the company Rare is responsible for creating Perfect Dark, another spy-themed title. This game shares similar first-person shooter mechanics with Rare’s other projects, but boasts improved features. Unlike GoldenEye’s modern setting and semi-realistic narrative, Perfect Dark delves into a more fantastical storyline set in an alternate 2023, where two extraterrestrial species are locked in conflict.

Joanna Dark serves undercover, assigned to penetrate two corporations that secretly collaborate with two distinct alien species. The game eventually morphs into a sci-fi action adventure, but it manages to retain the appeal that made gamers fond of GoldenEye 007.

1. Alpha Protocol

If Mass Effect Were A Spy Thriller RPG

Obsidian Entertainment has made a name for itself with role-playing games like “Fallout: New Vegas” and “The Outer Worlds”, but one game that showcases their experimental side is “Alpha Protocol”. In some aspects, “Alpha Protocol” is reminiscent of a spy-themed version of “Mass Effect”, and this resemblance is more of a strength than a drawback.

Due to this setup, gamers enjoy a wider range of character control options, as the narrative and dialogue allow for transforming the main character into either a suave spy akin to James Bond or a morally ambiguous figure like Jason Bourne. The game offers an unfolding storyline that responds to player decisions, fostering character development. Furthermore, it delivers the thrill of Mission: Impossible, packed with action sequences such as gunfights, numerous gadgets, and hand-to-hand combat, keeping players captivated throughout their adventure.

2025-05-27 09:35