TintoConCasera
I bought a sex doll, but I keep it inflated 100% of the time and use it like a regular wife
Ever happened that you play a very old game, one that you already knew about and could have played many years ago, many times, but for some reason or another you never did? And then you feel both dumb for not having done so, but also happy because the game is an absolute joy to play?
That would be me. I'm currently playing Thief (Gold edition, has some extra levels) and damn, why didn't I play this earlier? Like yeah, I tried it as a kid/teen and also not so long ago, but couldn't get into it for whatever reason. This time it has clicked, and man am I glad it did.
The atmosphere is superb, as is the sound design: playing with headphones lets me pinpoint the distance and direction of any NPC in a way that not many games are able to, it's amazing. Special kudos to the sound that plays whenever you loot something valuable, makes the game much more satisfying.
And the music! Holy fuck is the music good. It's mostly ambience, but very cool and atmosphertic since it changes depending on your location. Take this one as an example, timestamped for your convenience: In this level you are exploring a prison-factory owned by an extremist religious order, so the ambience is mostly quiet with some machinery in the background but, the moment you step into the innermost part of their sanctum you get those drums and chantings that fuck me if they didn't sent a chill down my spine.
But the good stuff doesn't end at your ears man. The level design is more than great. I was expecting mostly medieval castles and manors and stuff like that but the game knows how to mix things up quite nicely, using it's more than rich lore to put you against some very cool challenges, like the aforementioned prison-factory, a huge catacomb, a mansion with a layout that keeps twisting itself as you traverse it, an ancient city lost underground with egyptian vibes and many more. The layout of those levels is very good and it's clear that a lot of effort went into them: many times you are able to reach your objectives in many different ways, which I find quite refreshing when compared to so many modern games.
Another thing I'm loving is that not all levels are based on pure stealth, but some are more of an adventure with stealth elements. I think this is a biproduct of being one of the first 3D stealth games and the devs throwing multiple stuff at the wall hoping at least some of it would stick. I have yet to beat the game but so far, imo, everything has sticked. I'll miss those levels when I play Thief 2 for sure, they are fun and also a nice change of pace from the pure stealth levels.
And lastly but most important, the gameplay. Only downside is the enemy AI: it's pretty basic and easily exploitable, which is kinda fun on it's own but sometimes it might take you out of the game even if for a brief moment. On the plus side, they are very well designed, doing things like whistle or mumble to let the player know that they are near or having conversations that might yield a clue if you listen to them. Cool stuff, it's like they thought of everything. You also get a lot of tools in the form of special arrows (my favorite being the rope arrow, a total game changer) and some tools like flash bombs and mines.
So yeah, loving the shit out of this game. Also have to say that I love how, even if the world itself is full of magic and weird shit, the gameplay itself is pretty grounded: no super powers, no marking your enemies to be able to see them behind walls nor any dumb shit like that. Just you and your wits.
So tell me GAF! What do you think of the Thief games? Would you be interested in the I'd say inevitable Nightdive remaster? Are there any other games really like them? Any other stealth game you would put above this one or that you have fond memories of?
Oh! Almost forgot: fuck the Thieves Guild, I skipped that shit and feel 0 regrets nor remorse.
That would be me. I'm currently playing Thief (Gold edition, has some extra levels) and damn, why didn't I play this earlier? Like yeah, I tried it as a kid/teen and also not so long ago, but couldn't get into it for whatever reason. This time it has clicked, and man am I glad it did.
The atmosphere is superb, as is the sound design: playing with headphones lets me pinpoint the distance and direction of any NPC in a way that not many games are able to, it's amazing. Special kudos to the sound that plays whenever you loot something valuable, makes the game much more satisfying.
And the music! Holy fuck is the music good. It's mostly ambience, but very cool and atmosphertic since it changes depending on your location. Take this one as an example, timestamped for your convenience: In this level you are exploring a prison-factory owned by an extremist religious order, so the ambience is mostly quiet with some machinery in the background but, the moment you step into the innermost part of their sanctum you get those drums and chantings that fuck me if they didn't sent a chill down my spine.
But the good stuff doesn't end at your ears man. The level design is more than great. I was expecting mostly medieval castles and manors and stuff like that but the game knows how to mix things up quite nicely, using it's more than rich lore to put you against some very cool challenges, like the aforementioned prison-factory, a huge catacomb, a mansion with a layout that keeps twisting itself as you traverse it, an ancient city lost underground with egyptian vibes and many more. The layout of those levels is very good and it's clear that a lot of effort went into them: many times you are able to reach your objectives in many different ways, which I find quite refreshing when compared to so many modern games.
Another thing I'm loving is that not all levels are based on pure stealth, but some are more of an adventure with stealth elements. I think this is a biproduct of being one of the first 3D stealth games and the devs throwing multiple stuff at the wall hoping at least some of it would stick. I have yet to beat the game but so far, imo, everything has sticked. I'll miss those levels when I play Thief 2 for sure, they are fun and also a nice change of pace from the pure stealth levels.
And lastly but most important, the gameplay. Only downside is the enemy AI: it's pretty basic and easily exploitable, which is kinda fun on it's own but sometimes it might take you out of the game even if for a brief moment. On the plus side, they are very well designed, doing things like whistle or mumble to let the player know that they are near or having conversations that might yield a clue if you listen to them. Cool stuff, it's like they thought of everything. You also get a lot of tools in the form of special arrows (my favorite being the rope arrow, a total game changer) and some tools like flash bombs and mines.
So yeah, loving the shit out of this game. Also have to say that I love how, even if the world itself is full of magic and weird shit, the gameplay itself is pretty grounded: no super powers, no marking your enemies to be able to see them behind walls nor any dumb shit like that. Just you and your wits.
So tell me GAF! What do you think of the Thief games? Would you be interested in the I'd say inevitable Nightdive remaster? Are there any other games really like them? Any other stealth game you would put above this one or that you have fond memories of?
Oh! Almost forgot: fuck the Thieves Guild, I skipped that shit and feel 0 regrets nor remorse.
) but I had so much fun playing it.
