Thief Preview: Keep One Eye Open

It’s been a decade since the last entry into the award-winning Thief series, and a lot has changed to the stealth genre since then. However, Eidos Montreal seem to know what they’re doing with their beloved game franchises, and hopefully Thief will be no exception. This is our GameSided preview.

You play as Garrett once again; master thief in a dystopian Victorian-era unnamed City. Garrett has lived in The City all his life, stealing to survive at an early age. It is through sheer cunning, talent and tencacity that has kept him alive all these years, eventually becoming so much of a skilled artisan that he can steal necklaces from those still wearing them.

In the 4th entry into the series, Garrett has reluctantly taken on a protegé, Erin. She is very much unlike our protagonist in the fact she is young, niave, emotional and willing to take on aggressors to the extreme so they never follow her trail again.

The threat against Garrett lies with the overreaching grasp over The City held by the Baron. Him and his right-hand man, the Thief-Taker General, stop at nothing to create a choke hold over the poor and desolate as they conspire to rise up. The opposition is held by none other than Orion, a man who’s main goal is to cure the needy and sick people of The City.

In Thief, slinking through the shadows is the best way to traverse. Noted for its groundbreaking light mechanics as a means of gameplay, getting around town and through level chapters requires you to work your way around your environment in order to plunder as many stolen treasures as possible. While the story serves a bigger role, Garrett in his heart of hearts will always be about the gold. In fact, you can use your mechanical eye to focus around your environment to find as many loot items as possible, as well as help complete complex tasks.

There are three types of gameplay styles in the newest entry. Ghost has you make it through a chapter without alerting any guards to your presence. Opportunist has you take down guards and other threats while hidden in the shadows, while still alerting nobody. Predator has you take down your threats in a conspicuous manner. It is very much like Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist; what used to be a game dedicated to one style of play now allows for a variety of options that pleases a wider audience.

Returning to the game is Garrett’s iconic bow. Depending on the arrow type they choose, the player can perform a variety of operations. A water arrow will dose flames, fire arrows will ignite fuel and blunt arrows can activate ladders and distract guards.  Need to reach a high vantage point? Look for a clothed ledge and aim your bow with a rope arrow equipped to see the surrounding area better. The bow tailors to how you want to play.

The biggest questions regarding Thief are in line with the rest of the series. Did developers at Eidos Montreal stay true to the series? Just what can we expect from the story? Will the stealth genre be making a comeback?

Thief is coming to stores near you February 25th for the PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS3 and Xbox 360. For my full review of the game, including score, check it out over at GameSided.com.