Stealth Master: Assassin Ninja, developed by SayGames Ltd, is a slick and satisfying action-puzzle game that's perfect for quick sessions on your phone. It's a pure mobile game, designed from the ground up for touchscreen play, and you can download it for free on both the Google Play Store and the App Store. Since its launch, it's racked up tens of millions of installs on Android and iOS, which tells you it's hitting a sweet spot. The core game is free to download and play, but it's supported by optional in-game purchases for things like cosmetic skins and currency to unlock levels faster, typically ranging from a couple of bucks to around $10. You'll also encounter video ads, usually rewarded ones for extra rewards or optional ones to continue after a failure, which is pretty standard for the genre.

Playing Stealth Master is all about timing, observation, and executing a perfect, silent takedown. You control a ninja navigating small, diorama-like levels filled with guards with set patrol routes. The best part is the puzzle-like planning: you have to watch the patterns, wait for the right moment, and then swipe to move and take out enemies without being seen. My favorite part is that moment of flawless execution—slipping between two guards' sightlines, taking one down, and using the environment to hide the body, all in one smooth, silent chain. It makes you feel like a genuine shadow, and the 'one more try' hook is incredibly strong when you barely fail a level.

Compared to other popular mobile stealth games like 'Hitman Sniper' or 'Dead Trigger', Stealth Master is much more focused on close-quarters, puzzle-box infiltration rather than long-range shooting or zombie blasting. It reminds me a bit of the classic 'Where's My Water?' but with ninjas and guards instead of pipes and ducks. I'd recommend this game over others because it's incredibly pick-up-and-play. You don't need a tutorial; you just figure it out. The levels are short, the controls are simple swipes, and the satisfaction of a perfect run is immediate. As a real user, I've spent more time than I'd like to admit trying to three-star every level because it just feels so good to master its little challenges.

• Puzzle-Box Level Design 🧩: Unlike open-ended stealth games, each level in Stealth Master is a compact, self-contained puzzle. You study guard routes, environmental hazards (like spotlights or noisy floors), and plan your exact sequence of moves to eliminate all targets unseen. It's less about improvisation and more about finding the one perfect solution.
• Intuitive Swipe Controls ✋: The control scheme is brilliantly simple for a mobile game. You swipe in the direction you want your ninja to move or to perform an action. This removes any clunky virtual joysticks or buttons, making the gameplay feel direct and responsive, which is crucial for a game based on precise timing.
• Quick-Session Gameplay ⏱️: Most levels can be completed in under a minute, making it ideal for playing in short bursts. This 'just one more level' design is perfect for mobile gaming on the go, contrasting with similar games that might have longer mission structures or require more continuous time investment.

• Instant Gratification & 'Flow' State 😌: The game is masterful at creating a satisfying loop. Failure is quick, but so is retrying, and success feels amazing. This creates a fantastic 'flow' state where you're completely focused on solving the immediate puzzle, which many larger, more complex games struggle to achieve on mobile.
• Clean, Functional Visuals 👁️: The graphics are bright, clear, and stylized. This isn't about gritty realism; it's about visual clarity. You can instantly parse the game space—see guard sight cones, patrol paths, and interactive objects—which is essential for the puzzle gameplay. It beats out similar games that sometimes feel cluttered on a small screen.
• Strong Core Concept Execution 🎯: It takes a simple idea—"be a sneaky ninja"—and executes it near-perfectly within its scope. It doesn't try to be a sprawling RPG or a narrative epic. It's a focused, polished experience that knows exactly what it is, which is something I appreciate more than a bloated game that does many things poorly.

• Formula Can Feel Repetitive 🔄: After dozens of levels, the core loop of 'watch, plan, execute' can start to feel samey. While new mechanics are introduced, the fundamental challenge doesn't evolve dramatically. Games like 'Monument Valley' offer more profound shifts in puzzle mechanics as you progress.
• Ad Frequency Can Be Intrusive 📺: The free-to-play model relies on ads. While they're mostly optional/rewarded, having an ad pop up after every few levels, or using one to continue, can break your immersion and rhythm. Some premium games in the puzzle genre offer a one-time purchase to remove ads entirely, which is a model I often prefer.
• Limited Character Progression 📊: Your ninja doesn't really 'grow' or gain new abilities in a meaningful RPG sense. Progression is almost entirely about unlocking new levels and cosmetic skins. If you're looking for a game with deep skill trees or gear upgrades like in some action-RPGs, you won't find that depth here.