A good but not great game

Thief is a good but not great game. As a player of Thief since The Dark Project, the disappointment comes from the unfullfilled potential, but the game is definitely worth the purchase.

The game is run on rails, unlike another excellent port, Shadow of Morder, which is a giant open world. Rope arrows are back, but they only connected to pre-determined overhangs. You cannot jump, but only climb up pre-determined ledges. Virtually none of the environment can be interacted-with — unless pre-determined. And the game is too easy; just run away from guards, you have way too much money to buy equipment, and while shadows are rendered impressively the definition of being “in the shadow” is too broad so you can be in front of a light but be shadowed because you’re in a defined shadow area. A brothel area has needless pornography. Arrows flight in a straight line and you have a reticle. You get the idea.

On the upside, the game is beautiful, like SoW or Arkham City beautiful, even if it is not an open world like those two games. The character renderings are great, and Garrett is voiced very well as are all the characters. You get the same satisfaction as in the old Thief games, of dousing lights with water arrows, creating distractions, hiding from guards, freaking out when they surprise you, etc.. When you run, you bob side to side and there is *blurring* — you really feel as if you are running. Running across the rooftops is a hoot. And I am relieved, there are no Boss Fights.

At this point, I’ve not seen Hammerites, Keepers, and the rest, but there are hints. I look forward to resuming, and, I know I can replay the whole thing just with different styles of play in the tradition of Thief.

stepheda

Update — nearly at the end, and while the game is still good, the run-on-rails has become tedious and there are indeed Boss Fights. 3/5 stars. Recommended, if you are a Thief or stealth fan.

stepheda about Thief™: Shadow Edition