The problem with Outlaws is the stealth was basically the way the game wanted you to play originally with straight game over if you was caught. It wasn’t designed as a run and gun game. They patched the stealth requirement out and well .. you see the results.

Yeah that's what I read after finishing the game.

Usually, I'm very much into stealth games but the further I got into the game the less I cared about it. The mission design is also quite funny in that regard as in nearly all cases, the enemies always have their backs turned towards you. It couldn't be more obvious that it's a game.

Honestly though, I probably would have disliked it even more if I got game overs due to breaking stealth.

As someone who doesn't care for stealth that explains a lot. I tend to use cover and shoot enemies from mid range. It works most of the time.