Thief: Deadly Shadows - The Ultimate Guide to the City's Secrets and Mysteries

Thief Game: A Stealthy Adventure in a Dark and Oppressive City

If you are a fan of stealth games, you might have heard of or played Thief game, a series of video games that put you in the role of a master thief in a fantasy steampunk world. But what is Thief game exactly, and what makes it so appealing to stealth enthusiasts? In this article, we will explore the history, development, features, and pros and cons of Thief game, and help you decide if it is worth playing or not.

thief game

Introduction

What is Thief game?

Thief game is a series of stealth video games developed by various studios and published by Eidos Interactive and Square Enix. The first game, Thief: The Dark Project, was released in 1998, followed by three sequels: Thief II: The Metal Age (2000), Thief: Deadly Shadows (2004), and Thief (2014). The series is considered to be one of the pioneers and innovators of the stealth genre, as it introduced many elements that are now common in stealth games, such as light and sound detection, hiding in shadows, lockpicking, pickpocketing, and non-lethal options.

What is the story and setting of Thief game?

The story and setting of Thief game vary depending on the installment, but they all share some common themes and elements. The games are set in a dark and oppressive city called The City, which is influenced by a mix of medieval, Victorian, and steampunk aesthetics. The City is ruled by a corrupt and tyrannical regime, known as the Baron's Watch or the Hammerites, depending on the game. The City is also plagued by various supernatural threats, such as zombies, ghosts, vampires, and pagan cults.

The protagonist of the series is Garrett, a cynical and anti-social thief who prefers to work alone and avoid getting involved in the affairs of others. Garrett is skilled in stealth, archery, lockpicking, pickpocketing, and using various gadgets and tools to aid his heists. Garrett's main motivation is to steal from the rich and powerful, but he often finds himself entangled in larger conspiracies and conflicts that threaten the balance of The City.

What are the main features and gameplay mechanics of Thief game?

The main features and gameplay mechanics of Thief game are based on stealth and exploration. The player controls Garrett from a first-person perspective, as he sneaks through various locations, such as mansions, castles, prisons, factories, cathedrals, sewers, etc. The player can choose different paths and approaches to reach their objectives, such as rooftops, windows, vents, secret passages, etc. The player can also interact with various objects and items in the environment, such as doors, switches, levers, chests, safes, etc.

thief game review

thief game walkthrough

thief game download

thief game series

thief game trailer

thief game tips

thief game cheats

thief game mods

thief game remake

thief game wiki

thief game stealth

thief game gameplay

thief game system requirements

thief game soundtrack

thief game characters

thief game weapons

thief game missions

thief game lore

thief game easter eggs

thief game endings

thief game fan missions

thief game patch

thief game art

thief game voice actors

thief game quotes

thief game map

thief game difficulty levels

thief game achievements

thief game controls

thief game focus mode

thief game black market

thief game collector's edition

thief game metacritic

thief game reddit

thief game steam

thief game xbox one

thief game ps4

thief game ps3

thief game xbox 360

thief game pc

thief game switch

thief game vr

thief game online

thief game multiplayer

thief game coop

thief game mobile

thief game android

thief game ios

The player has to avoid detection by guards and other enemies by using light and sound to their advantage. The player can hide in shadows or behind objects to reduce their visibility. The player can also use sound to distract or lure enemies away from their path. The player can also use various weapons and tools to deal with enemies or obstacles. For example, the player can use a blackjack to knock out guards silently; a bow to shoot different types of arrows (such as water arrows to extinguish torches or fire arrows to ignite oil barrels); or a claw to grapple onto higher ledges.[^ The player can also choose to be more lethal or non-lethal in their actions, depending on their preference and the situation. The player can kill enemies with swords, daggers, or arrows, but this may alert other enemies or lower their reputation. The player can also avoid killing or harming anyone by using stealth, distraction, or non-lethal weapons. The player's choices and actions may affect the outcome of the missions and the game.

The History and Development of Thief Game Series

How did the Thief game series start?

The Thief game series was created by Looking Glass Studios, a company that was known for developing innovative and immersive games, such as Ultima Underworld and System Shock. The idea for Thief game came from a prototype called Dark Camelot, which was a first-person sword-fighting game set in a medieval fantasy world. The developers realized that the sword-fighting mechanics were not very fun or realistic, so they decided to focus on the stealth aspects instead. They also added elements of steampunk and horror to create a unique and atmospheric setting.

The first game, Thief: The Dark Project, was released in 1998 for Microsoft Windows. It was praised by critics and players for its originality, gameplay, story, and sound design. It was also one of the first games to use 3D sound technology, which enhanced the immersion and realism of the game. The game sold over 500,000 copies and won several awards.

How did the Thief game series evolve over time?

The success of Thief: The Dark Project led to the development of a sequel, Thief II: The Metal Age, which was released in 2000. The sequel improved on the graphics, gameplay, and level design of the first game, and added more gadgets and tools for the player to use. The sequel also focused more on pure stealth and less on combat and supernatural elements. The sequel received similar acclaim as the first game and sold over 220,000 copies.

However, Looking Glass Studios faced financial difficulties and closed down in 2000. The rights to the Thief game series were acquired by Eidos Interactive, who hired Ion Storm to develop the third game, Thief: Deadly Shadows, which was released in 2004 for Microsoft Windows and Xbox. The third game introduced some changes to the series, such as a third-person perspective option, an open-world hub area, and more dynamic lighting and shadows. The third game also featured more varied environments and missions, such as a haunted orphanage and a museum heist. The third game received mostly positive reviews from critics and players, but some fans felt that it was not as faithful or innovative as the previous games.

The fourth and latest game in the series, simply titled Thief, was released in 2014 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. The fourth game was developed by Eidos Montreal, who also worked on Deus Ex: Human Revolution. The fourth game was a reboot of the series, featuring a new voice actor for Garrett, a new backstory for him, and a new version of The City. The fourth game also incorporated some elements from other modern stealth games, such as cover system, focus mode, and upgrade system. The fourth game received mixed reviews from critics and players, who praised its graphics, sound design and atmosphere, but criticized its story, characters, gameplay, and level design. The fourth game also faced some controversies and backlash from fans, who felt that it was too different from the original games and that it did not respect the legacy of the series.

How did the Thief game series influence other stealth games?

The Thief game series is widely regarded as one of the most influential and important stealth games of all time. The series introduced and popularized many features and mechanics that are now common in stealth games, such as light and sound detection, hiding in shadows, lockpicking, pickpocketing, non-lethal options, and multiple paths and approaches. The series also inspired and influenced many other stealth games and franchises, such as Splinter Cell, Dishonored, Hitman, Deus Ex, Assassin's Creed, Metal Gear Solid, and more.

The Thief game series also had a significant impact on the gaming culture and community. The series spawned a loyal fan base that created many fan-made mods, levels, campaigns, and even full conversions for the games. The series also received many awards and recognitions from various publications and organizations, such as PC Gamer, IGN, GameSpot, BAFTA, AIAS, GDC, etc. The series is also considered to be one of the best video game series of all time by many critics and players.

The Pros and Cons of Thief Game

What are the strengths of Thief game?

One of the main strengths of Thief game is its immersive and atmospheric setting. The games create a rich and detailed world that is full of mystery, intrigue, and danger. The games also use excellent sound design and voice acting to enhance the mood and realism of the game. The games also have a distinctive aesthetic that combines medieval, Victorian, and steampunk elements to create a unique and memorable visual style.

Another strength of Thief game is its innovative and challenging gameplay. The games offer a lot of freedom and choic