Potential given away!

just wanted a quick first impression after a few hours to get rid of Time. I'm actually a fan of this series, which started before x-years time as "Dark Project". Back then Stealth Games were still new and particularly the first game of the series was atmospherically great and very exciting. Meanwhile a lot of time has passed and I must say, I am reasonably happy to a successor but already felt a certain skepticism based on the trailer. This has now been confirmed. First impression of the XBox 360 limited edition:
The price of almost 60 euros is ok, after all, a limited edition (was no other version in the store). Just place the three "Artcards" (- what should I do with them?) Would give me 10-15 sided Manual / Quick Start Guide in paper form (as it is actually common) have preferred.
When playing my skeptical suspicion is confirmed that to me something not like about the game atmosphere. Find the overall impression initially equal bit confusing and especially bother me this time the mess mixing different eras more than before. At that time, Dark Project was emotionally settled in the Middle Ages / Late Middle Ages, but was clearly mystical elements. The graph was still quite edgy and simple, but the game was very lively and had flair. The opponents were already part monster, undead and spiders etc. This did not bother me. In part II (the metal age) were linked via significant distinct steampunk elements and many one hand modern and futuristic technical functions with funds and materials of the medieval age. Steampunk refers as a style normally yes rather on the Victorian era.
In Thief 4 you do not actually know more in what time you should feel really. The houses look more medieval made, the interiors more like turn of the century, rotten wooden boards in addition to aluminum sparkling pipelines; a 20ger years Gramophone next to a fan (!) next to it again a Inkwell with Quill. Then again, monks in a cathedral a Primal Might summon, guarded by soldiers with spiked helmets like to Bißmarcks times. No idea, but here the programmers / developers have rather slept in Gechichtsunterricht. The medieval feeling is gone pretty much lost. Pity!
Garrett itself acts outwardly relative oriental (perhaps similar to Assassin's Creed or Prince of Persia). His character representation is somehow failed. The motto of the game "I take what belongs to you" seems somehow more of his accomplice Erin when to come by himself. His comments anyway convey not just as if he had fun at work. On the contrary, we think he would rather permanently forced to claw. The accomplice Erin is short-haired and wears a Lackledercatsuit; Although that looks cool, but does not match either Steampunk and certainly not to the Middle Ages. Without wanting to spoil, and the controversy over the climbing claw between Erin and Garrett's kind of designed unhappy. What has he got against the fact that they used the claw? Later, he confronts her, "she was not ready .." Here, rather it gives the impression as if it were not so far (as) .. Later, he used the way the claw yes but then himself.
Annoying at the animation is that you can, if you want to open doors, cabinets lock etc, to Garret's hands this had to watch it felt slow length and the individual at every Klau. The same applies to the window. The fact you have to leave again if you want to get out again ... The graphic itself (XBox 360) I find the rest, except for a few details pretty unspectacular, rather a bit disappointing.
The sound system also seems to me not elaborate. Part roar a completely unimportant road Comments ear when the people were standing right behind you, or a voice calling, although they are under a 20 m on the road. Somewhere you can hear every now and then some stereotypical Vogelkrächzen (crow or magpie) as in an endless loop. Equally unimaginative and little (ie not at all) are varied sounds of the guards when they make their rounds. There is even a sort of hawking, but the more like the bleating of a goat sounds. The other stereotypical noise should probably be some sort of sleep sound. However, it is not snoring, but a very funny breathing. More noise repertoire (except little dialogs) it does not seem to give.
The AI ​​of the characters / enemies is 0815-programmed and adjusted non-individually scenes. The following example: Three guards guarding the street in front of the jeweler in Chapter 1. One of them is under a duty crane whose rope can shoot (undetected), so as to be slain by the boards. The comment of the other two guards is then: "There is one!" Thereupon they are alarmed and begin to look for a thief. That's somehow too stupid and illogical. Because if I wanted to arouse suspicion, I had the guard can shoot the same and also they pretend they did not know the third guard. I think if anyone is slain by boards, it should look like an accident, and the reaction is not the same as if I had shot someone.
Apart from that I have to play three times in succession Chapter 1 until it has been saved. I always have to start at the beginning of the chapter, although I reach the bell-tower. It was only when I downloaded the update, I came to the next chapter. But do not know whether it was because of the update, or whether the game settings (go undetected delete flames etc ..) must have met.
I also thought you can repeat the various chapters to improve. So far, however, I can only access the memory state in Chapter 2, that is Chapter 2 "dust to dust" I do not seem to repeat can- fortiori Chapter 1. Well!
But that is mainly because that the game, despite the more modern graphics and some pretty nice level design elements somehow acts mechanically and lifeless. This in turn could easily be improved by a little more dedication and love what setting in terms of detail. All (really ALL) guards have only this terrible annoying caprinae hawking - or humming sound as loop. The beggars in the streets apart from 1-2 dialogues with one another ONLY have this odd-angled cough as Soundschleife- comes one out soon to the ears. Apart from that they respond to a, as if you were made of glass not fact. The 0815-loot seems to consist only of a random pot of about 10-15 items. Even the foods consist of a bag or some sort so lunchbox. As but a piece of meat or cheese, cakes etc would sometimes brought some variety.

So, after I've written pretty much what I did not like, nor to conclude something positive. The lockpicking itself I find very well done, as well as the sampling of paintings for hidden snaps to release hidden safes or secret compartments. And ultimately makes the claws still fun - but I feel now that the stay tuned factor has rather little energy.

Conclusion:'m not very thrilled to find this game for a long-awaited resuscitation enormously away a lot of potential. As put such a long development time behind them. Since you would have to put a little more energy in a few funny, individualized verbal reactions of the guards and a few more varied and more nice items. I give the game and Garret, of course, a chance to eliminate my skepticism ... will adjust the rating then possibly again