40 bucks.... all I paid for this.... I'd pay 50 for it, I enjoyed it that much.I'll admit, I was a bit nervous about getting it. The previews were promising and all, but deep down I was nervous because the game did not have the old "Looking Glass Studios" label the first two I enjoyed have. However, I'm pleased to say that Ion Storm not only created a fine product, but they kept the story and gameplay true to the Thief universe.As mentioned, the game had been moved from it's previous "Dark Engine" which, while a decent engine had some limitations. It was instead moved to the Unreal engine, which to date, has never disappointed me. The visuals even in low res were quite stunning. Right down to the shadows that fall around you.The new lock picking system is excellent. This is quite possibly the best change they have made to the game. The newer system of forcing the player to move his mouse around the tumblers to find the "Sweet spot" is much more interactive and at times adds to the tension that makes this series great for me. (how can picking a lock add tension? Picture yourself in a room full of animated statues you can't kill easily, your picking this lock in the room, and the corner your in is somewhat lit exposing you... you get my drift?)As usual, the storyline was brilliantly written, complete with the usual plot twists and suprises that are trademarks of this series.What truly made this game was the tension. Thief is not a game that you "combat" your way thru. Even moreso in this version as Garrett's sword has been replaced with a small dagger and has lost the ability to "parry" incoming blows. Therefore, fighting headon usually leads to defeat unless you are REALLY good. You must depend on striking from the shadows, catching your opponate off guard, or avoiding a fight completely. And when in a tough situation, this can get a player sweating as he sits there on noisy terrain knowing the slightest move can cause a NPC to hear you... and yet said NPC you are trying to avoid is heading to your corner....The levels were beutifully done and thought out. The mission that puts you in a haunted insane asylum/orphanage scared the absolute hell out of me on several occasions. (They took a page out the movie Aliens by not showing you the foe, but dropping hints.... until it raised to a point where you jump out of your skin when the foe finally lashes out at you in a dark room with nothing but a flickering light to show you a glimpse what your fighting)Thief traditionally is a Linear game. However, Ion Storm attempted to take some of that out by giving the player the freedom to do what he choses between missions. Between missions you have the freedom to visit your fences, buy equipment, break into buildings to steal items, pickpocket peaple on the street, and mug or kill if you choose. Kinda like Grand Theft Auto 3 in a way.I realise alot of you guys like shooters and action games. But I would definatly recomend you guys give this a try, it won't disappoint.

I too got this game. Its very good, but takes ALOT of time and retrys to beat it on expert :?

I can't wait for it to get to poland! :twisted: I played the first one and am still finishing the second, but I already love the series and I know I'm gonna love the third!!! Long live Garrett!!!

The father of stealth games returns :)I played the demo and I really liked it!

ALOT of tries Leafy? Excellent I working thru it on Hard now and am pleased that the difficulty levels mean more than higher restrictions on who you can knock out and kill. Higher difficulty means more enemies with higher accuteness and AI... and I'm loving it!

ALOT of tries Leafy? Excellent I working thru it on Hard now and am pleased that the difficulty levels mean more than higher restrictions on who you can knock out and kill. Higher difficulty means more enemies with higher accuteness and AI... and I'm loving it!

 

well im playing it even harder

Im going for no kills (exept undead) and 100% gold and items on every level.

I was considering playing as a "ghoster" at one point. Always wanted to try it. What a "ghoster" does is ZERO confrontations. No knockouts, or anything. Not seen, not heard....Sounded like a great challenge, so I'm gonna try it once I complete it a couple more times to learn the layout and whatnot.You ever find the wine the widow wanted in one of the early missions? I can't seem to find it anywhere.