When the game was finally released, I rang the main menu already an appealing soundtrack to the ears, which showed a positive effect in the further course of the game. Although he does not remain in the ear, such as that of games like Skyrim or Monkey Iceland, but it fits just fine into play, is unobtrusive and carries a good deal to the atmosphere.
The new game has been launched and so once I was given the opportunity to customize the difficulty to match style. Free store, a so-called focus view (interactive objects and people light up), the reticle goals can turn off and many more options are provided, the more challenging to tackle the game how you want it.
When the game started, I was not cut from the graph of the socks, but they are not bad looks it. Reminds stylistically to Deadly Shadows, beautifully particular the detailed faces of the characters, animation and lighting effects. There is a lot of work with Blur filter, but always in the matching, coherent framework.
In the tutorial you could learn the game well know leisurely - here and there the information was indeed sparse, but the game is already a certain independence ahead - try it here in the eating, which is why it makes sense in the first Durchklau, still to let the free store , Mainly because the control sometimes not doing what you actually want.
The button for "Take Cover" and "use subject / take" is the same, what had often brought me into trouble - suddenly I stood right in front of the station, rather than simply pilfer the silver chalice and davonzuhuschen again. Said flitting on the other hand - to press the space bar, which causes you deposited a distance of about two meters in no time, however, works wonderfully and contributes immensely to the atmosphere. That you can not jump freely, I noticed only when it came to the vexing issue "ropes". Sometimes Garrett simply jumps on the rope over to the depths - the jump accuracy sometimes can here really to be desired. Otherwise Thief controls pleasing fast and smooth, this one sees the appropriate movements of hands and feet. I would like to see more games in the first-person view!
During the intro, I learned Garrett then newly re know - him and his bitchy schoolgirl, for which one cherishes in the very first moment Anti sympathy, which is problematic for the further course of story, but I want to spoil anything. The master thief acted immediately softer, somehow more "humane" thing that bothered me a hand because I give the old Garrett expected, but later, when he got more color in the course of the game, I was able to befriend new with this new Garrett because he himself and his character was involved itself more to the story than in its predecessors. The other characters, especially the thieves catcher General and the Queen of the beggar are unfortunately clichéd, as they could enhance the game atmosphere technically, the dry humor that runs through the game is a matter of taste. In my opinion, always just ahead of the border, to be embarrassing, but with me he has at least managed to keep checking back slightly to smile.
Ridicule could unfortunately also sometimes very predictable story that not even told some plots over. Above all, the game no longer felt like the predecessors - in vain I waited for Hammerite, guardians and Co., but there were only allusions, such as religious symbols of the ancient cults. Apparently "the old gods" of the city were abolished. What happened? That makes you wonder all the time, but obtained no reply. Too bad - I found the old Dark Project - Universe much more interesting and atmospheric. After the playthrough of Thief made yet tremendously fun and ultimately it's all also important. The various missions are varied, beautifully designed and in spite of some very schlauchigen level structures, has always different approaches as options. The main contracts are indeed much more entertaining than the side quests of Garretts stolen Basso and some special customers, but still motivate the small tasks the player to explore the otherwise unfortunately quite lifeless city a little more, which you can find treasures at the stupidest places. Such as a magnifying glass in a ventilation shaft.
That's strange, but stranger still was the sound effects and voices: poorly mixed partly not heard Garrett's sarcastic edge comments, dialogues went under despite shut-controlled background music, two guards entertain themselves by more or less one after the same in the canon with the same voices talk (happened rarely, but often enough that it bothered) and especially you never get the impression that the removal of the noise fit. A guard led eg clearly audible self-talk, as if she were standing right next to one, but two rooms was on.
But has particularly pleased me in return the AI that is going on more intelligent than I am used to from other games Schleich. On the one hand it seeks longer and more thoroughly, reacts on the other hand strengthened on their surroundings. Left open doors, chests, cabinets, switched off lights and the like she agrees quickly skeptical. You feel as players equal better that the developers provide an even intelligent opponent.
Conclusion:
I can see the new Thief title although on the one hand to anyone who is on pure Schleich Games. Yes, there are some weaknesses, and yes, they interfere, but then again it is very rewarding in any other game for inconspicuous, thieving behavior, like Thief, what motivates enormous. As a lover of the previous one can hate Thief, but it will most likely love (simultaneously).
Graphic 8/10
Nicely staged, great animations, but not quite up to date.
Sound 6/10
Great soundtrack, professional speakers, sound effects good in itself, only extremely poorly mixed and partially wrong "localized"
Balance 10/10
Individually adjustable difficulty with many useful options that have a material effect on the game.
Atmosphere 8/10
Lifeless environment reminiscent barely coherent at the previous world, very cliched, but it feels like a real master thief.
Operation 8/10
Controls themselves afloat and liquid, feels logical, but sometimes a bit imprecise instructions.
Extent 9/10
Many missions with high replay value, more or less free-roaming city, plus two entertaining challenge maps.
Level Design 8/10
Very varied, albeit very schlauchig. Many approaches and byways give players something new to discover.
KI 9/10
Apart from some rare misfires of an attentive AI's long.
Weapons & Tools 9/10
Useful special arrows and other gadgets (water arrows to erase flares, rope arrows as a climbing aid, flash bombs, etc. ...), focus ability is not for everyone, but only optional use.
Action 5/10
Interestingly protagonist, but rather weak supporting cast, most of whom remain very pale, very cliché, action either predictable or just weird.
Total points: 80/100, so 4 out of 5 stars.
