Thief is still the absolute KING of stealth | Thief: The Dark Project Review | thesummerofmark

IbizaPocholo

NeoGAFs Kent Brockman


Thief: The Dark Project is the king of stealth games, still unmatched even in 2025. Join me in my Thief: The Dark Project Review as I can over the game's story, worldbuilding, gameplay mechanics and art style.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro & Fixes
3:22 Story Premise
5:23 The World of Thief
16:04 Visuals
18:15 Sound/Music
25:19 Gameplay mechanics
29:22 Mission design
37:14 Conclusion

Introduction to Thief: The Dark Project

- Thief: The Dark Project, released in 1998, is a first-person stealth immersive simulation developed by Looking Glass Studios.
- The game is celebrated as a classic, having pioneered the stealth genre and influenced numerous subsequent titles, including Dishonored and Splinter Cell.
- Despite its significant impact, Looking Glass Studios closed shortly after the release of its sequel, Thief 2: The Metal Age, in 2000.
- The legacy of Thief is profound, with developers referencing its innovative mechanics for years after its launch.
- The video discusses how Thief's gameplay innovations remain unmatched, with few games successfully building upon its foundational mechanics.

Fixes and Enhancements

- The most commonly played version of Thief is Thief Gold, an expanded edition released a year after the original, featuring tweaks and new missions.
- Thief Gold removed certain exploits from the original game, such as skipping quest lines in specific missions.
- For modern gameplay, players can enhance their experience by using TFix, which supports widescreen resolution and improves controls with custom keybinds.
- Links to these fixes and enhancements are provided in the video description for easy access.
- The video also acknowledges contributors for music used in the video, promoting Thief-related fan projects and music albums.

The Protagonist: Garrett

- Garrett, the main character, is introduced as an import/export specialist with a troubled past as a street urchin.
- He is depicted as a skilled thief, navigating the streets to survive and eventually encountering a mysterious figure named Artemis.
- Artemis, a member of the secretive organization known as the Keepers, recognizes Garrett's talent and offers him a chance to join their ranks.
- Garrett's training with the Keepers enhances his stealth skills, but he ultimately leaves the organization to pursue a freelance career in security consulting.
- Garrett's character development reflects themes of isolation and the struggles of belonging, adding depth to his role as an anti-hero.

Setting and Atmosphere

- The game's setting is a unique blend of late medieval and early industrial aesthetics, described as a steampunk world with a rich backstory.
- The city is characterized by a mix of advanced technology and traditional medieval elements, creating a distinct atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
- There are three main factions in the game: the Keepers, the Hammerites, and the Pagans, each with their own ideologies and conflicts.
- The Hammerites are a technocratic religious order focused on progress through technology, while the Pagans worship nature and oppose the Hammerites.
- The narrative unfolds in a city rife with crime and corruption, where Garrett navigates power struggles between factions while pursuing his own goals.

Gameplay Mechanics

- Thief is renowned for its immersive gameplay, where stealth is prioritized over combat, requiring players to think strategically about their actions.
- The game features a variety of tools and gadgets, including the iconic blackjack for stealth takedowns and various types of arrows with unique effects.
- Players can choose their approach to missions, whether to ghost through levels undetected or engage in combat, although combat is generally discouraged.
- The difficulty settings affect mission objectives and conditions, encouraging players to adapt their strategies based on the chosen level of challenge.
- The game emphasizes exploration, with hidden loot and secrets rewarding thorough players who take the time to investigate their surroundings.

Mission Variety and Design

- Thief features a diverse range of missions, from heists in mansions to tomb raids, each designed to provide a unique experience and challenge.
- The mission structure allows for a mix of objectives, sometimes requiring players to adapt to different gameplay styles across missions.
- The early missions serve as tutorials, gradually introducing players to the game mechanics and the complexities of the world.
- The design of missions encourages exploration and experimentation, with various paths and strategies available to complete objectives.
- The narrative and environmental storytelling are woven into the missions, enhancing the player's immersion in the game's world.

Conclusion and Legacy

- Thief: The Dark Project is recognized as a classic that not only pioneered the first-person stealth genre but also set a high standard for immersive gameplay.
- Despite the decline of stealth games in the AAA market, the influence of Thief continues to be felt in indie titles that strive to capture its essence.
- The video concludes by acknowledging the ongoing legacy of Thief and the anticipation for discussions about its sequels, Thief 2 and Deadly Shadows.
- The creator expresses gratitude to patrons for supporting the channel, emphasizing the community's role in making such content possible.
 
yup , still one of the best stealth games , unfortunately it looks like stealth genre is being left behind

cant wait for the next styx game , its the only game that comes close ( not close enough but it is what it is)
 
I was blown away back then because I couldn't have thought it possible as a child. My brain, usually accustomed to games like Mario or Zelda, couldn't comprehend how they made it that walking on metal was louder to the AI than walking on carpets and that shooting moss arrows on the ground would muffle your steps. The freedom you had to interact with a systemic world isn't standard now, even more than two decades later. That kind of immersion and player agency, that is often represented in a binary way in fixed situations/dialogues today, is really something else.
 
First two games were absolutely incredible, and the third was really damn good, too. But it definitely felt a lot different than the first two, and I think that's what put off a lot of people.

The horrible thing they created after the third game, though... The fact they replaced the original voice actor tells you everything you needed to know about what direction they were taking the game. Rubbish.
 
I disagree. Dishonored 2 is the best and it's the peak of stealth and level design with Hitman(modern one) being second best. Old games are great, but they're just notalgia good, not mechnically better than the mentioned ones. Even AC Shadows has some crazy stealth mechanics, even if a bit underused, that I haven't seen, such as weather, season and time of day impacting enemy detection. There is no stealth game that has that.
 
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Thief really is the true king of stealth games. There are other great series, such as Dishonored, and Splinter cell. But the ability the change the amount of light around you, coupled with the proximity you can get to enemies, makes Thief one of the most tense games when it comes to creeping around.
I was never a great fan of having undead in the game though.
 
I disagree. Dishonored 2 is the best and it's the peak of stealth and level design with Hitman(modern one) being second best. Old games are great, but they're just notalgia good, not mechnically better than the mentioned ones. Even AC Shadows has some crazy stealth mechanics, even if a bit underused, that I haven't seen, such as weather, season and time of day impacting enemy detection. There is no stealth game that has that.
Wrong. Thief strips stealth to the bare minimum, moving unseen to avoid detection. That's why it succeeds. There is no "hacking it", if you are spotted you don't have fancy powers to bail you out.
 
Wrong. Thief strips stealth to the bare minimum, moving unseen to avoid detection. That's why it succeeds. There is no "hacking it", if you are spotted you don't have fancy powers to bail you out.

No idea what you're talking about, you're factually wrong. Having a "detected you fail" is not a mechanical advantage over the others, like the first Splinter Cell had it. Just because modern games have adapted, doesnt make them less of stealth games than Thief or others of their time. You can always reload if you get caught in modern games, it's the exact same thing as seeing a game over screen. No one is forcing you to use your powers in Dishonored. In fact there's an achievement specifically for completing the game without any powers, besides the usual not get detected ones. Accesibility is not a flaw. You can ignore it if you want a pure experience like Thief. And that is why they're better.
 
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No idea what you're talking about, you're factually wrong. Having a "detected you fail" is not a mechanical advantage over the others, like the first Splinter Cell had it. Just because modern games have adapted, doesnt make them less of stealth games than Thief or others of their time. You can always reload if you get caught in modern games, it's the exact same thing as seeing a game over screen. No one is forcing you to use your powers in Dishonored. In fact there's an achievement specifically for completing the game without any powers, besides the usual not get detected ones. Accesibility is not a flaw. You can ignore it if you want a pure experience like Thief. And that is why they're better.
This is one of the worst take I've seen on this forum.
While dishonored is a great game it doesn't even come close to Thief. In Thief there are no fail states, but each map is a sand box, when a guard notice you it will be alerted forever and will alert other guards that he meet. The while map evolves around you being spotted and if you play smart it can make it an advantage.

Dishonored gives you so many tools that it is more of a superhero simulator. You get spotted you clean the map or teleport away, you never feel in a tense situation.

Also, saying that "you can not use them" is the stupidest thing ever on par on ppl saying that using evocation in elden ring makes the game to easy. It is not my job to balance the game, it is the dev job.
If there is something I will use it. And I will make a judgement based on everything at my disposal.
 
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Yup

Thief & Thief 2 are still king

I can't express how much time I spent in those games in late 90's early 2000's while I had a 3dFX card and graphics were blowing my fucking mind. Along with soundblaster EAX as sound was a big part of the experience.
 
Without a doubt. NOTHING touched the atmosphere of this game (and the second and third but mostly the first two). And comparing this to Dishonored? Quite the most humorous thing I've read.
 
This is one of the worst take I've seen on this forum.
While dishonored is a great game it doesn't even come close to Thief. In Thief there are no fail states, but each map is a sand box, when a guard notice you it will be alerted forever and will alert other guards that he meet. The while map evolves around you being spotted and if you play smart it can make it an advantage.

Dishonored gives you so many tools that it is more of a superhero simulator. You get spotted you clean the map or teleport away, you never feel in a tense situation.

Also, saying that "you can not use them" is the stupidest thing ever on par on ppl saying that using evocation in elden ring makes the game to easy. It is not my job to balance the game, it is the dev job.
If there is something I will use it. And I will make a judgement based on everything at my disposal.

The alerted design is a feature of its time, not something better. The fact that you completely ignored everything in my post and judging by your name its safe to say, we have nothing further to discuss. Thief is great, but calling still the best stealth game is purely nostalgia brain fart. The devs job is to offer features to all gamers, not to gimp them. If Thief was made Today it would be exactly like all modern games. It's a product of its time, its features are not "the best", they just couldnt design more at that time, else they would've.

Theres absolutely no logical argument you can make over the fact that you can play some of the greatest "modern"(i put quotes because Dishonored isnt exactly modern anymore, and it's a classical nowadays) stealth games as your purist mind can have. There is 0 difference between devs forcing you to reload or you reloading the game when alerted. The "its not tense because duh" is all just your own mind and personal preference. I always felt tensed playing Dishonored games just as I did when I played Thief ones. Sniff less nostalgia drugs and enjoy more stuff. You'll feel better when you're not stuck in the past.
 
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Dishonored gives you so many tools that it is more of a superhero simulator. You get spotted you clean the map or teleport away, you never feel in a tense situation.

Also, saying that "you can not use them" is the stupidest thing ever on par on ppl saying that using evocation in elden ring makes the game to easy. It is not my job to balance the game, it is the dev job.
If there is something I will use it. And I will make a judgement based on everything at my disposal.

100 % facts. A lot pf people don't seem to understand this.
 
Theres absolutely no logical argument you can make over the fact that you can play some of the greatest "modern"(i put quotes because Dishonored isnt exactly modern anymore, and it's a classical nowadays) stealth games as your purist mind can have. There is 0 difference between devs forcing you to reload or you reloading the game when alerted. The "its not tense because duh" is all just your own mind and personal preference. I always felt tensed playing Dishonored games just as I did when I played Thief ones. Sniff less nostalgia drugs and enjoy more stuff. You'll feel better when you're not stuck in the past.

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I love the assumption here. What makes you think we didn't enjoy Dishonored? I played it, beat and enjoyed it. It was a great game. Sniff less drugs in general and stop assuming. You'll feel better in living a good life.
 
would be fine if I could play it out of the box. but all the stupid tweaks and mods just to play it as it looks...hardly worth it. go play splinter cell og its almost as good as this.
 
not only the first game pretty much created the genre, it also had a fantastic story. one of the best in all gaming i'd say
 
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would be fine if I could play it out of the box. but all the stupid tweaks and mods just to play it as it looks...hardly worth it. go play splinter cell og its almost as good as this.
Never had any issues with any of the Thief games, and I've installed and played them on multiple PCs since they became available on Steam 10+ years ago.
 
I never got around to playing the first two - they've just always been on the bucket list.

I did play the third one quite a bit - both at launch and again several years later - but that one is rough. Tons of tiny, tiny maps strung together; and the engine it runs on feels like it's falling apart at the seams. Both that and Invisible War were kind of disastrous. But I know that the third game has never really been the favored child.
 
Played a little bit... like 15 minutes probably a decade ago. Seems like one of those games that's fairly involved and not drop in and out.

Any good graphics mods?
 
Played a little bit... like 15 minutes probably a decade ago. Seems like one of those games that's fairly involved and not drop in and out.

Any good graphics mods?
as someone that fully agrees it was an incredible game at the time, it has aged awfully. Not worth it imo. Dishonored is as close as it gets for me, since that game was originally to be named Thief 4.
 
Thief and Thief 2 are amongst the greatest games ever made (along with System Shock 2). At the time, Looking Glass Studios was in a league of their own.
 
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