New stealth game Undetected is a Mexican Metal Gear Solid

Stealth games: they don't make 'em like they used to. That's a trend developer Antonio Freyre hopes to buck with the newly-announced Undetected, a sneaky throwback inspired by seminal 1998 sneak-'em-up Metal Gear Solid.

Labelled a "stealth action revival", Undetected isn't shy about its influences. Revolutionary agent Tenoch Kaan is tasked with infiltrating a series of top-down installations, with plenty of flourishes cribbed from Hideo Kojima's stealth classic—dropping to a lower angle for peeking corners, and entering first person when aiming your gun.

A Thief-style light system lets you lurk in the shadows by tracking how illuminated you are, while footsteps and sounds play a key role in avoiding detection. A hodgepodge of retro influences has Freyre describing the game as a "boomer sneaker" in the way throwback shooters have colloquially become boomer shooters, but Undetected has a few of its own tricks—including a "non-lethal-only" approach to combat and a narrative described as a "bicultural, inclusive story of unity" drawing on the developer's distinctly Mexican heritage.

A less deadly playstyle doesn't mean Undetected won't have its own fair share of characterful boss fights, however. And Freyre notes you'll have plenty of gadgets, including various bullet types and explosives to knock down (if not entirely knock out) your foes. But without the ability to go in guns blazing, you'll need to be careful how and when you use these tools.

Freyre isn't a stranger to stealth throwbacks, previously releasing bizarre HauntedPS1 lurker The Chameleon. Speaking to NME, Freyre said that the reception to the Hawaiian shirt horror game gave him the confidence to push bigger with his next project.

"Now that I feel confident with game development, I have decided to make this game I’ve been dreaming of for a long time: a stealth game with a Mexican protagonist, taking everything I’ve noticed could be improved in my favourite games and trying my best to make it even better," said Freyre.

Undetected currently has no release date, but you can wishlist it on Steam right now. It also features writing and voiceover from Xalavier Nelson Jr who, full disclosure, used to write for PC Gamer and once worked with me on a short game about dying robots.

Sneaking in the jungle

(Image credit: Antonio Freyre)

Sneaking in a corridor

(Image credit: Antonio Freyre)

A first-person screen of a pistol aiming at a guard.

(Image credit: Antonio Freyre)

Sneaking in a red and black cyberspace

(Image credit: Antonio Freyre)
Natalie Clayton
Features Producer

20 years ago, Nat played Jet Set Radio Future for the first time, and she's not stopped thinking about games since. Joining PC Gamer in 2020, she comes from three years of freelance reporting at Rock Paper Shotgun, Waypoint, VG247 and more. Embedded in the European indie scene and a part-time game developer herself, Nat is always looking for a new curiosity to scream about—whether it's the next best indie darling, or simply someone modding a Scotmid into Black Mesa. She also unofficially appears in Apex Legends under the pseudonym Horizon.

Read more
Styx: Blades of Greed screenshot showing Styx viewing an underground mansion from a distance
My favourite AA stealth series starring a loathsome centuries-old goblin is getting a new instalment
An image of a group of Korean special forces agents with glowing red night vision goggles from Project TH.
This upcoming Korean tactical shooter features 'situational awareness AI' that reminds me of the uber-smart clones from Monolith's FEAR
A cartoon nun looks shocked and scared, bathed in green light.
The new game from the Blasphemous devs is like if Commandos was a metroidvania set in a Spanish monastery, and also the Green Beret kept losing his mind
A man in a suit holding confidential documents
This post will self-destruct in 5 seconds: Steam's first ever spy game festival is kicking off in May
The six heroes of Commandos: Origins
Stealth tactics game Commandos: Origins will be out in April
DoubleWe demo
DoubleWe blends Guess Who with Hitman, and its demo is one of the best I've played in ages
Latest in Action
Assassin's Creed Shadows immersive mode - Naoe holding a tanto in her hand as two guards fall to the ground behind her.
Assassin's Creed Shadows' first hotfix addresses stability issues and a photo mode crash
A plastic duck dressed like a circus weightlifter
The 5th highest-rated game on Steam in 2022 is back with a multiplayer sequel
Ragnarok Battle Offline
After punishing my graphics card with Monster Hunter Wilds, I've returned to the rock-solid frame rates of my old hunting grounds: Windows XP
A unique aspect of Japanese architecture turned out to be a key reason the Like a Dragon games can reuse assets so effectively—and deliver more compact, memorable open worlds than western cities
Naoe looking at the wrist blade in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Ubisoft says don't compare Assassin's Creed Shadows' success to Valhalla: The latter launched in Covid's 'perfect storm' and feedback on platforms 'less affected by review bombing' is stellar
A Lagiacrus render from Monster Hunter Generations, photoshopped over a screenshot of Wilds' Scarlet Forest region.
Oh my God, it's happening: Monster Hunter Wilds is finally bringing a fan-favorite sea snake home from the war
Latest in News
Napster client circa 1999
Former music-pirating platform Napster to be reborn rather ironically as a metaverse for musicians to connect with their fans after $207 million deal
The snazzy red and black HyperX Cloud Alpha wireless headphones float in a teal void. The microphone is attached to the headset.
The best wireless gaming headset is now even better in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, boasting a more than $50 discount
A chip being held up in an Intel fab
Intel is reportedly 'working to finalize commitments from Nvidia' as a foundry partner, suggesting gaming potential for the 18A node
Amazon box
Don't panic! The 'Do Not Send Voice Recordings' option Amazon just removed was only used by 0.03% of customers and they can still have it
Digital generated image of people surrounded by interactive transparent and glowing panels with data. Visualising smart technology, blockchain and artificial intelligence
Now I shall demand the cookies! Proposed new browsing agreement turns the tables and lets users dictate terms to websites
Intel CEO, Pat Gelsinger, with a 18A SRAM test wafer
Former Intel CEO, Pat Gelsinger becomes executive chairman of a 'Technology Platform Connecting the Faith Ecosystem' to work on Christian AI using DeepSeek