Thief II: The thinking person's shooter

From...

	GALLERY

April 25, 2000
Web posted at: 9:28 a.m. EDT (1328 GMT)

by Barry Brenesal

(IDG) -- Sometimes, the easiest way to produce something original is to see the perfectly ordinary from a new perspective. Looking Glass Studios did this when it developed Thief: The Dark Project, a standard first-person shooter where the modus operandi was to keep hidden and slay only as required. The challenge for its successor, Thief II: The Metal Age, is somewhat different. How do you follow up a game that stood the industry on its ears, capturing some of that initial thrill without assembly-lining the original?

In Thief II's case, the solution was a matter of tweaking rather than innovation. And if the new release doesn't startle like its predecessor, it still provides a solid gaming experience.

Thief II unfolds like its predecessor, as a series of scenarios preceded by animated sequences with well-written and acted voiceovers. The complexity of the goals depends upon the difficulty setting you've chosen, with higher difficulty levels posing more requirements. If you don't find the challenge of retrieving an object sufficient, consider a Hard or Expert setting that involves retrieving more booty without getting your other booty kicked.

MORE COMPUTING INTELLIGENCE

IDG.net home page

Soldier of Fortune brings realism to shoot-'em-ups

Shadow Watch is best taken in small doses

Star Wars: Force Commander lets you join the Dark Side

Messiah: A halo of a good time

Reviews & in-depth info at IDG.net

E-Business World

Year 2000 World

Questions about computers? Let IDG.net's editors help you

Subscribe to IDG.net's free daily newsletter for computer geniuses (& newbies too)

Search IDG.net in 12 languages

News Radio

Fusion audio primers

Computerworld Minute

There's a great deal of variety in Thief II's missions, which include stealing plans, tailing a suspect, or escaping from your own apartment. Many scenarios let you deviate from the "best route" approach allowing you to prowl around and gather loot. I find this one of the game's best qualities: an ability to casually suggest a much larger world in which you're free to roam carefully, should you choose to do so.

Between missions you can use the cash gained from your stolen loot to purchase merchandise no well-heeled thief should be without-such as lockpicks, flash mines, invisibility potions, and scouting orbs, which act like miniature stationary cameras and can be used for a little surreptitious spying until retrieved. At any time during a mission you can pause the game, save it, change options, and consult your goals or the mission map. Of course, the map's reliability becomes increasingly suspect as you move through the game.

On the downside, the linearity of the missions may turn off those looking for some control over Garrett's choice of tasks. And doesn't it make sense to reward everybody's favorite thief for using fewer items in a mission by letting him keep his inventory as he moves into his next challenge? Some of the specialty arrows could also be considered over-the-top in a world where physical laws, however futuristic in their application, still rule. Moss arrows to dampen footsteps? What's next: Garrett gets hungry and shoots a food arrow at the floor, which expands into four slices of pepperoni pizza?

The souped-up Dark engine modified for the original Thief is used once again, with similar results. Textures are well-defined-like water rippling in a trough-and the changes in definition and brightness as you move in relationship to an object are impressive. Human figures such as the guards, by contrast, display all too clearly their polygonal origins, and their animations are arthritic. The use of sound (especially DirectSound3D) is excellent, with mingling snippets of genuine conversation approaching or retreating as Garrett moves. The dialog writing is among the best in the business.

All in all, Thief II is a very entertaining "thinking person's shooter" that provides more of the same to fans of the original release. It's tough to learn, but rewards you with an immersive, fun experience.

Thief II gameplay tips

• Garrett in shadows, unmoving, with his weapons sheathed, is almost invisible. Keep this in mind when you're dealing with humans.
• Listen carefully. This can't be emphasized strongly enough. Sounds give away the location of patrols, your quarry, objects in movement, etc.
• Wherever possible, avoid running. Running is louder than walking.
• In many situations, higher is better. Guards will often neglect to look where you've climbed, particularly if you aren't casting shadows or making noise. It gives you a chance to observe patrols and in general scout out the area.
• Hide bodies in buildings and dark corners. Even the most doltish guards will raise hell if they come across this evidence of your presence.
• Remember the Thief's Code: if it can be looted, take it. The cash you get for it can be used to buy items for your next mission.

Technology - Best free stuff online: It pays to play
March 30, 2000
Technology - Top 10 sports games and freebies
March 21, 2000
First look: Neverwinter Nights
August 12, 1999
Microsoft unveils 'Asheron's Call'
August 6, 1999
Sega, AT&T to launch gaming portal
August 4, 1999
DefCon 99: Games hackers play
July 13, 1999
Online games prove a nontrivial business
October 13, 1998
Online gaming: the state of the Net - Part 2
February 12, 1998
Online gaming: the state of the Net - Part One: Top Games
February 11, 1998
Move over modems, here come broadband and better gaming
October 19, 1998

Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed is a smooth ride
(GameProWorld.com)
Roadsters doesn't quite work
(GameProWorld.com)
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2000 should take a mulligan
(GameProWorld.com)
Soldier of Fortune brings realism to shoot-'em-ups
(GameProWorld.com)
Shadow Watch is best taken in small doses
(GameProWorld.com)
Star Wars: Force Commander lets you join the Dark Side
(GameProWorld.com)
Messiah: A halo of a good time
(GameProWorld.com)
Star Trek: Hidden Evil doesn't try hard enough
(GameProWorld.com)

Official Thief II page at Eidos Interactive

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.