It’s not every day that a new, game-changing stealth action concept comes along, but Sleight of Hand could be that game in 2025. Developed and published by RiffRaff Games, a new studio out of Wellington, New Zealand, Sleight of Hand is a third-person stealth game with a unique concept and some ambitious goals.

Sleight of Hand was revealed with a trailer during the Xbox Partner Preview back in March 2024, and is scheduled for release sometime in 2025. It’ll be available on Xbox Series X/S and PC. Its developers are already comparing it to some of the greatest in the genre, and although it’s still a ways away, Sleight of Hand is certainly one to watch.

What Sleight Of Hand Is All About

“Metal Gear Solid Meets Dishonored”

A post on the official Sleight of Hand X (formerly Twitter) account recently pitched the game as “Metal Gear Solid meets Dishonored,” invoking two of the biggest names in the stealth genre – and with good reason. Even from early previews, it’s clear that Sleight of Hand includes aspects of both: the main goal is to evade enemies, not fight them head-on, much like in Metal Gear Solid. It also incorporates systems similar to the magic powers that players come to rely on in the Dishonored series, allowing them to confuse, distract, and occasionally, directly harm enemies with the supernatural.

But there’s another unique twist to it, too: Sleight of Hand also employs a card-based system for the player character’s special powers. Instead of using a more typical mana bar like Dishonored, players will have to select and activate cards from randomly dealt hands, observing the rules as written as they seek out powerful synergies.

There’ll probably be a bit of a deck-building aspect to it as well, as players will likely unlock new cards as they progress through the game, and can decide which they prefer to keep in their hands as they develop an individual playstyle. Card abilities are vast and varied, allowing players to do everything from teleportation to trap creation to environment alteration. Certain cards may be better suited to certain areas, enemies, or a combination of the two.

Stealth and card games seem like an odd mix, but honestly, they make perfect sense together. Strategically, both kinds of games require resourcefulness: one must quite literally play the cards they’re dealt. Thematically, card games and secrecy go hand-in-hand: one must always hide their hand from everyone else at the table, and there’s a reason they call it a “poker face.”

Besides that, Sleight of Hand promises an innovative, nonlinear map design that encourages players to experiment and explore. It also features an engaging story and a delightfully dark setting that’s certain to pique some interest. It stars Lady Luck, a retired private eye called back to the streets for one last job when she discovers her former witch coven is up to no good. She’ll have to gather her own clues and disrupt their dastardly plans, all while avoiding powerful magic users and the hired goons of the rich and powerful. It’s all set amid a rain-slicked, neon-lit city straight out of a classic film noir.

Why Sleight Of Hand Should Be On Your Wishlist

Unique Gameplay In An Immersive World

Look, it’s still early in the game, but Sleight of Hand already looks like one of the coolest games slated for release this year. It’s been a long time since a game provided such a distinct take on the stealth genre. There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from pulling off an impressive card game combo, and an adrenaline rush from sneaking past an oblivious group of stealth game enemies. Sleight of Hand blends those two to what could be a brilliant effect.

What’s more, Sleight of Hand already promises to build meaningfully on some of the industry’s more interesting recent trends. We’re in the midst of a mini immersive sim renaissance. The recent success of things like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and the Hitman reboot trilogy proves that current console technology can create incredibly varied, truly reactive, immersive gameplay.

At the same time, deckbuilding roguelikes (think Slay the Spire and GOTY contender Balatro) have impressed players with their strategic depth and satisfying gameplay. Any game that combines both of these proven concepts is worth watching. So keep an eye out for Lady Luck – Sleight of Hand will be on Game Pass day one, but for those who aren’t already subscribed, it’s already available to wishlist on Steam. Its unique twists on familiar ideas could make Sleight of Hand one of the greatest indie darlings of 2025.