To catch a thief (Thief - The Dark Project (PC))

Member Name: starry

Product:	Thief - The Dark Project (PC)
Date:	19/02/01 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good atmosphere and playability

Disadvantages: some tricky foes and ledges

Well, that's just it, you don't want to be caught. The enemy in this game are usually difficult to kill and the secret is to avoid battle where possible.
You play garrett, a newly trained theif who is sent on many mission in medieval Britain. You come across lots of hidden treasure along the way, which you can use to buy more equipment between levels.
The atmosphere and graphics are really detailed and realistic. It does draw you into the game.
There are quite a lot of heart-stopping moments, when you think that you're going to be caught, and a guard may be standing just a few steps away from you, searching for you! Scary stuff.

You are trained in sword fighting and you are equipped with a long bow and a blackjack, but the guards etc do so much damage so quickly, that you should hide and sneak and plot. It's the only way.
Drunk or unsuspecting guards can be snuck up upon and blackjacked from behind, but be very careful.
There is an increasing range of different arrows to choose from, each with it's own use. You need to put some time into this to try strategies out.
This game is very hard. the levels take a little time to load, which can be annoying if you have to restart your mission after being killed.

SOUND is the most important aspect of the game, as most people have said before me.
You can tell so much about your surroundings from whatever noise is present. the direction a guard is walking in is important.
Your skill depends on timing and surprise.

Some bits of the game are annoying, many reviewers have mentioned the zombies already, and trying to grab onto silly wee bits of ledge that you can hardly make out from the graphics pattern of the wall, are drawbacks. It's easy to get lost sometimes.

So, pocket the treasure, stay away from hard and noisy surfaces, watch the movement and patterns of the guards, and stay in the complete darkness where possible.

Good game
with a lot of thinking involved.
One hint. You must have an up to date sound card. If you cannot hear anything the game will not work. You won't be able to go through the training level, and will be completely LOST! Check the help file to disable advanced settings if you need to.

Summary: