niflheimm
2022
Huge step up over the last one. Blown away by how nobody seems to talk about how much better the combat is, the difference is huge even though the fundamental problems remain. Several times more variety than 2018 too, and while the story might not hold up under scrutiny, it's engaging, well presented, and genuinely moving at times.
Just like Planescape Torment, in a vacuum the gameplay isn't all that great, but it doesn't matter and I don't think better combat would actually improve the experience in a meaningful way. You're not playing for that, you're playing for the atmosphere and the story, and it's some of the best ever. One of a few examples that dispel all doubt about whether video games as a medium can be an art form or not.
Still From’s best game, and PTDE with dsfix is still the best way to play. Complaining about a “bad second half” is a great way to see who got their opinions from YouTube, because the lordvessel areas are neither bad nor half the game. Izalith is the only thing holding this back from perfection and it’s way too small of a flaw to hold Dark Souls back from being a masterpiece.
2018
Easily the most disappointing combat system I've ever played, and the game is so lacking in variety that I can't believe it got released like this. Story is flawed too, but the presentation is excellent. Super mid overall
The writing and atmosphere are peak, and that's what you're playing the game for - think of it as an interactive novel. Sadly it continues the trend of the best RPGs being deeply flawed masterpieces. The combat and RPG elements are sort of vestigial - you basically have to play as a high Wis/Int/Cha Mage to get the most out of the game, and the combat is completely uninteresting. Sadly, since the game is blatantly unfinished, the combat becomes a bigger and bigger part of the game the longer it goes on - turning down the difficulty all the way is recommended.
The writing is good enough that if it were in book form, it would be a great novel, but I think a lot of people overrate how well-written and how deep it is because of the low bar set by other video games.
The writing is good enough that if it were in book form, it would be a great novel, but I think a lot of people overrate how well-written and how deep it is because of the low bar set by other video games.
This is a greatest hits tour of all the reasons why Thief is so amazing, turned up to 11 in every single way. Genuinely better than both 1 and 2 - the weakest mission here is still great, and would be up there with some of the best in either of those games. Varied and massively replayable levels, with big maps that are densely packed with great level design, lots of side content, and crazy attention to detail to make the City feel even more real and immersive than before. The only way one could like Thief and not love this is if you don't like the horror side of these games (especially arachnophobia) - this is easily the scariest one of them all, but that's probably just another plus for most people.
It's a far cry from 1 and 2, but still a pretty good game. The movement is a bit janky, the levels are way smaller and a lot less varied and feel a lot less realistic, and the story and tone have taken a pretty big step back too - the longer the game goes on, the harder it is to be immersed. But the atmosphere is still good, the moment to moment gameplay is still solid, and it still feels like a Thief game. The second to last mission is a standout, but it isn't the greatest level of all time or anything.
Consider the Sneaky Upgrade mod absolutely mandatory for playing on PC. Also I recommend playing on Normal for your first time through.
Consider the Sneaky Upgrade mod absolutely mandatory for playing on PC. Also I recommend playing on Normal for your first time through.