Thief?

Grim.Reaper · January 10, 2014, 07:20:39 PM

So I have seen some discussions about Thief and noticed the new version coming out soon at GMG....seems like you can pre-order it for $33 (original is $49)....seems like a pretty cheap price for a new game. Anyone familiar with the series? Is the new version expected to be a good game? I have never played the older versions, but just curious where it seems already pretty cheap for a new release.

LongBlade · January 10, 2014, 08:36:05 PM

Quote from: Grim.Reaper on January 10, 2014, 07:20:39 PM
So I have seen some discussions about Thief and noticed the new version coming out soon at GMG....seems like you can pre-order it for $33 (original is $49)....seems like a pretty cheap price for a new game. Anyone familiar with the series? Is the new version expected to be a good game? I have never played the older versions, but just curious where it seems already pretty cheap for a new release.

The series is excellent.

This upcoming game has portents that are not encouraging.

Gusington · January 10, 2014, 09:00:54 PM

One of my favorite series ever. Ordinarily I would be chomping at the bit but the development for Thief 4 has been chaotic. Wait and see on this one.

If you've never played any of them now would be a good time to start as the older games are inexpensive.

Grim.Reaper · January 10, 2014, 09:06:48 PM

Thanks for the advice guys...will be holding off until I see more.

ComradeP · January 11, 2014, 03:02:36 AM

There is, however, quite a notable difference between Thief 1-2 and Thief 3. The formula's nearly identical, but the gameplay is different, not in the least because it has an overworld of sorts. The first 3 are all excellent games, but it was clear from the reviews at the time that people were less enthusiastic about Thief 3, even though it was still a very good game.

Incidentally, the series also has one of the best (or some of the best, depending on which levels you include) horror mission(s) ever in the opinion of most of the Thief lovers here.

After sequels for many popular games turned out to be rather unimpressive, particularly when developed for both console and PC, it might just be our cynicism that we expect Thief 4 to be less than stellar. I'm sceptical about how good the game will be, or rather: if it will be any good.

Grim.Reaper · January 11, 2014, 09:26:30 AM

Thanks CP, maybe I will check out the old versions for cheap....it just struck me odd how pre-release the game can already be had for a relatively cheap price...kind of a sign that it might not be good.

ComradeP · January 11, 2014, 11:08:22 AM

It's difficult to say which of the two Thief game "types" (Thief 1-2 or 3) Thief 4 will be like. If it's level-based, 1 and 2. If it has an overworld of sorts and if it shares some features with popular (console) games like Assassin's Creed, it will be more like Thief 3.

Personally, I'd suggest starting with 1 if you're interested in the series, as the Thief series has undergone a fairly natural evolution in my opinion. There were no truly big leaps in design. The ~4 years between 2 and 3 mostly influenced graphics and a bit more detailed physics system, although Thief has always used physics well, including giving you equipment like an arrow with a rope on it that you can climb. The addition of an overworld didn't really reduce the quality of the level-based "main" game in Thief 3.

I know I normally include the title of a game, or refer to a game by its title, but in this case it was easier to refer to the Thief games as 1 to 4, instead of as Thief: The Dark Project, Thief II: The Metal Age, Thief: Deadly Shadows and Thief.

Gusington · January 11, 2014, 12:51:01 PM

Thief 3 contains the legendary Shalebridge Cradle level as CP mentions above. It's worth getting for that level alone. Out of nostalgia I probably prefer the first game the best, but all around IMHO Thief 3 was the best game of the series.

Grim.Reaper · January 16, 2014, 05:20:04 PM

Now they have a 30% off coupon on top of the 10% discount.....doesn't seem like a good sign when they keep pushing further discounts before release.....here is the code at GMG if your interested.

GJKRL2-IWQ2KD-NU9830

Gusington · January 16, 2014, 08:26:06 PM

Just posted about that in the sales thread...I almost caved. Although my email said it was non transferable.

Grim.Reaper · January 16, 2014, 08:40:14 PM

To me it is a warning sign, haven't seen many new games drop like this...l will remain strong on this one.

Gusington · January 16, 2014, 09:55:55 PM

Yeah I can see that.

Grim.Reaper · January 18, 2014, 08:52:12 AM

Quote from: Gusington on January 16, 2014, 09:55:55 PM
Yeah I can see that.

However, I will be upset with myself if it turns out to be an excellent game:)

JasonPratt · January 18, 2014, 09:00:15 AM

Incidentally, anyone starting the series should (I guess) get Thief Gold rather than The Dark Project -- it's the same game but with three more story missions, five more enemy types, and (I suspect) optimized better for modern computers. The original code for TDP could be wonky.

Gusington · January 18, 2014, 12:13:06 PM

^Yeah I forgot all about the Gold version. I have to admit Thief II: The Metal Age was my least favorite of the three. I never replayed it like I did the other two games. I wonder what I would think about it now.