Thief is a stealth video game developed by Eidos Montréal and published by Square Enix. It is the fourth installment in the Thief series and a reboot of the franchise. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on February 25, 2014.
The game follows the story of Garrett, a master thief who must navigate a dark and dangerous city to retrieve four ancient artifacts known as the Keeper Stones. Garrett possesses a variety of abilities that allow him to sneak through shadows, scale walls, and pick locks. The game features a branching narrative system that allows players to make choices that affect the story and ending.
Thief received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the game's stealth gameplay and atmosphere, while others criticized its linear level design and repetitive missions.
Thief (2014 video game)
Thief is a stealth video game developed by Eidos Montréal and published by Square Enix. It is the fourth installment in the Thief series and a reboot of the franchise.
- First-person perspective
- Stealth gameplay
- Dark and atmospheric setting
- Branching narrative system
- Variety of abilities
- Four ancient artifacts
- Linear level design
- Mixed reviews
- Repetitive missions
- February 25, 2014 release date
Thief received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the game's stealth gameplay and atmosphere, while others criticized its linear level design and repetitive missions.
First-person perspective
Thief is played from a first-person perspective, putting players in the shoes of Garrett, the master thief. This perspective allows players to experience the game world through Garrett's eyes, creating a more immersive and personal experience.
The first-person perspective also enhances the game's stealth gameplay. Players must carefully observe their surroundings and use shadows and cover to avoid detection. The game's level design is tailored to the first-person perspective, with plenty of nooks and crannies to hide in and multiple paths to take.
In addition, the first-person perspective helps to create a sense of atmosphere and tension. The game's dark and gritty environments are rendered in stunning detail, and the player's limited field of view creates a sense of claustrophobia and paranoia.
Overall, the first-person perspective is an integral part of Thief's gameplay and atmosphere. It allows players to experience the game world through Garrett's eyes and enhances the game's stealth and immersion.
Thief's first-person perspective has been praised by critics for its immersion and realism. However, some critics have also noted that the perspective can be limiting at times, especially in tight spaces or during combat.
Stealth gameplay
Thief is a stealth game at its core. Players must use stealth and cunning to navigate the game's levels, avoiding detection by guards and other enemies. Garrett possesses a variety of abilities that help him to remain undetected, such as the ability to move silently, climb walls, and pick locks.
The game's level design is tailored to stealth gameplay. Levels are filled with shadows and cover, and there are multiple paths to take to reach your objectives. Players must carefully observe their surroundings and plan their movements accordingly.
In addition, the game's AI is designed to be challenging but fair. Guards have realistic patrol patterns and will investigate suspicious noises. Players must be careful not to make too much noise or leave any evidence behind.
Overall, Thief's stealth gameplay is well-designed and challenging. Players must use all of their skills and cunning to avoid detection and complete their objectives.
Thief's stealth gameplay has been praised by critics for its realism and challenge. However, some critics have also noted that the game's stealth mechanics can be unforgiving at times, and that players may need to resort to trial and error to complete some of the game's more difficult sections.
Dark and atmospheric setting
Thief is set in a dark and atmospheric world. The game's levels are filled with shadows and grime, and the air is thick with tension.
- Realistic graphics
Thief's graphics are highly realistic, and the game's world is rendered in stunning detail. The game's use of light and shadow creates a sense of atmosphere and immersion that is unmatched by other stealth games.
- Immersive sound design
Thief's sound design is also top-notch. The game's soundscape is filled with ambient noises and subtle cues that help to create a sense of realism and immersion. The game's voice acting is also excellent, and the characters are brought to life by a talented cast of actors.
- Distinctive art style
Thief's art style is distinctive and memorable. The game's world is a unique blend of medieval and steampunk elements, and the game's characters are visually striking. Thief's art style is a major part of what sets the game apart from other stealth games.
- Compelling story
Thief's story is dark and compelling. The game follows Garrett as he investigates a mysterious organization known as the Keepers. The story is full of twists and turns, and it will keep players guessing until the very end.
Overall, Thief's dark and atmospheric setting is one of the game's strongest points. The game's graphics, sound design, art style, and story all come together to create a truly immersive and unforgettable experience.
Branching narrative system
Thief features a branching narrative system that allows players to make choices that affect the story and ending. These choices can be small, such as choosing to spare or kill an enemy, or they can be larger, such as choosing to join one faction over another.
- Multiple endings
The choices you make throughout the game will lead to one of multiple possible endings. There are no "good" or "bad" endings, and the best ending for you will depend on your own personal preferences.
- Replayability
The branching narrative system gives Thief a high degree of replayability. You can play through the game multiple times and make different choices each time to see how they affect the story and ending.
- Player agency
The branching narrative system gives players a sense of agency and control over the story. Your choices matter, and they will shape the way the story unfolds.
- Immersion
The branching narrative system helps to immerse players in the game world. You feel like you are truly making a difference in the story, and your choices have real consequences.
Overall, Thief's branching narrative system is a welcome addition to the game. It gives players more control over the story and ending, and it encourages multiple playthroughs. The branching narrative system is one of the things that makes Thief a truly unique and memorable experience.
Variety of abilities
Garrett possesses a variety of abilities that help him to navigate the game world and complete his objectives. These abilities include:
Stealth: Garrett can move silently, crouch, and hide in shadows to avoid detection. He can also use a variety of tools and gadgets to distract enemies and create diversions.
Agility: Garrett is a skilled climber and can scale walls and jump over obstacles. He can also use a grappling hook to reach high places and cross gaps.
Lockpicking: Garrett is a master lockpicker and can open most locks with ease. He can also use lockpicks to disable traps and security systems.
Pickpocketing: Garrett can pickpocket enemies to steal their valuables. He can also use pickpocketing to plant evidence and frame others.
In addition to these core abilities, Garrett can also learn new abilities by finding and reading skill books. These abilities can give Garrett new ways to interact with the environment and complete objectives.
The variety of abilities that Garrett possesses gives players a lot of freedom and choice in how they approach the game. Players can choose to focus on stealth, agility, lockpicking, or pickpocketing, or they can mix and match abilities to create their own unique playstyle.
Four ancient artifacts
The story of Thief revolves around four ancient artifacts known as the Keeper Stones. These stones are said to possess great power, and they are sought after by both good and evil forces.
The four Keeper Stones are:
- The Stone of Hearing: This stone allows its user to hear the thoughts of others.
- The Stone of Sight: This stone allows its user to see through walls and other objects.
- The Stone of Touch: This stone allows its user to feel the emotions of others.
- The Stone of Time: This stone allows its user to slow down or speed up time.
Garrett is hired to steal the Keeper Stones by a mysterious client. However, as Garrett investigates the stones, he learns that they are more dangerous than he thought. The stones are said to be cursed, and they can drive their users mad.
The four ancient artifacts play a central role in Thief's story. They are the objects of Garrett's quest, and they are the source of the game's conflict. The artifacts are also a source of mystery and intrigue, and they add a layer of depth to the game's world.
Linear level design
Thief's level design is linear, meaning that players are guided through the game's levels in a specific order. This is in contrast to open-world games, which give players more freedom to explore the game world and complete objectives in any order.
- Focus on stealth
Thief's linear level design helps to focus the game on stealth gameplay. By guiding players through the game's levels in a specific order, the developers are able to create more controlled and challenging stealth encounters.
- Storytelling
The linear level design also helps to tell the game's story. By controlling the order in which players experience the game's levels, the developers are able to create a more cohesive and impactful narrative.
- Visual storytelling
The linear level design also allows the developers to use visual storytelling to guide players through the game world. By carefully placing objects and landmarks in the game's levels, the developers can create a sense of atmosphere and immersion that would be difficult to achieve in an open-world game.
- Limited replayability
One downside of Thief's linear level design is that it limits the game's replayability. Once players have completed the game once, they will know the layout of the levels and the location of the objectives. This can make subsequent playthroughs less challenging and less rewarding.
Overall, Thief's linear level design has both advantages and disadvantages. The linear level design helps to focus the game on stealth gameplay and storytelling, but it also limits the game's replayability.
Mixed reviews
Thief received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the game's stealth gameplay, atmosphere, and story, while others criticized its linear level design, repetitive missions, and technical issues.
One of the main criticisms of Thief was its linear level design. Some critics felt that the game's levels were too narrow and restrictive, and that they limited the player's freedom to explore and experiment. Others felt that the linear level design made the game feel more like a traditional action game than a stealth game.
Another criticism of Thief was its repetitive missions. Many of the game's missions involve sneaking into a building, stealing an object, and then escaping. While these missions can be enjoyable at first, they can become repetitive after a while. Some critics also felt that the game's objectives were too simplistic, and that they did not offer enough variety.
Finally, some critics also experienced technical issues with Thief. These issues included frame rate drops, crashes, and bugs. While these issues were not widespread, they did affect some players' enjoyment of the game.
Despite these criticisms, Thief also received praise from many critics. Many praised the game's stealth gameplay, atmosphere, and story. Some critics also praised the game's graphics and sound design.
Repetitive missions
One of the main criticisms of Thief is its repetitive missions. Many of the game's missions involve sneaking into a building, stealing an object, and then escaping. While these missions can be enjoyable at first, they can become repetitive after a while.
There are a few reasons why Thief's missions can feel repetitive. First, the objectives are often very similar. In most missions, the player is tasked with stealing a specific object from a heavily guarded location. This can lead to a feeling of monotony, as the player is essentially doing the same thing over and over again.
Second, the level design can also contribute to the feeling of repetitiveness. Many of the game's levels are quite linear, and there is often only one way to complete a mission. This can limit the player's freedom to experiment and find new ways to approach the objectives.
Finally, the lack of variety in enemy types can also make the missions feel repetitive. The player will often face the same types of enemies over and over again, which can make the combat encounters feel stale.
Despite these criticisms, Thief's missions can still be enjoyable. The stealth gameplay is well-designed and challenging, and the game's atmosphere and story help to keep the player engaged. However, players who are looking for a game with a lot of variety in its missions may be disappointed with Thief.
February 25, 2014 release date
Thief was released on February 25, 2014 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. The game was developed by Eidos Montréal and published by Square Enix.
Thief was originally scheduled to be released in late 2013, but was delayed several times. The game's delay was due to a number of factors, including the need for additional development time and the desire to avoid releasing the game during the busy holiday season.
Despite the delay, Thief was released to generally positive reviews from critics. The game's stealth gameplay, atmosphere, and story were praised by many critics, although some criticized the game's linear level design and repetitive missions.
Thief was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide in its first week of release. The game was also nominated for several awards, including Game of the Year at the 2014 Golden Joystick Awards.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Thief (2014 video game):
Question 1: What is Thief?
Thief is a stealth video game developed by Eidos Montréal and published by Square Enix. It is the fourth installment in the Thief series and a reboot of the franchise.
Question 2: When was Thief released?
Thief was released on February 25, 2014 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
Question 3: What are the main features of Thief?
Thief features first-person stealth gameplay, a dark and atmospheric setting, a branching narrative system, and a variety of abilities that players can use to navigate the game world and complete objectives.
Question 4: What is the story of Thief?
Thief follows the story of Garrett, a master thief who must navigate a dark and dangerous city to retrieve four ancient artifacts known as the Keeper Stones.
Question 5: What are the different ways to play Thief?
Thief can be played in a variety of ways, depending on the player's preferred style. Players can choose to focus on stealth, agility, lockpicking, or pickpocketing, or they can mix and match abilities to create their own unique playstyle.
Question 6: What are the different difficulty levels in Thief?
Thief features three difficulty levels: Easy, Normal, and Hard. The difficulty level affects the behavior of the AI, the number of enemies, and the amount of damage that the player takes.
Question 7: What are the different game modes in Thief?
Thief features a single-player campaign and a multiplayer mode. The multiplayer mode allows players to compete against each other in a variety of stealth-based game modes.
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Thief. For more information, please visit the game's official website.
Now that you know more about Thief, here are a few tips to help you get started:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you get started in Thief:
Tip 1: Use stealth to your advantage. Thief is a stealth game, so it is important to use stealth to your advantage. Avoid making noise, stay out of sight, and use the shadows to your advantage.
Tip 2: Take your time and explore. Thief is a large game with many secrets to discover. Take your time to explore the game world and find all of the hidden loot and secrets.
Tip 3: Experiment with different abilities. Thief gives you a variety of abilities to use. Experiment with different abilities to find the ones that work best for your playstyle.
Tip 4: Don't be afraid to fail. Thief is a challenging game. Don't be afraid to fail and learn from your mistakes.
These are just a few tips to help you get started in Thief. With a little practice, you'll be able to master the game's stealth gameplay and become a master thief.
Now that you have some tips to help you get started, it's time to dive into the world of Thief and experience the game for yourself.