Rating: 
Summary: What a shame
Review: Reviewer: Hardee from England
Thief Deadly Shadows has been in production for four years. As a fan of the original Thief games, I have been looking forward to this for a very long time. The Internet community were amazed at the stylish graphics and the apparent "old style" voices and characteristics. The final product couldn't have been further from the truth. I downloaded let's say an "early" version of the game. I seriously doubt the next month until release is going to change anything gameplay wise. I was incredibly disappointed to find that all of the appealing features of the original games have been dumbed down for the likes of the Xbox kiddies. Yes that's right folks, instead of rope arrows you now have "climbing gloves". Which means you can climb pretty much any surface to escape guards, that is unless they use arrows. This is annoying because as soon as you see a threat, you can simply climb a wall and watch the guard taunt you with three .wav files of "taffer" insults until he forgets you're there. A new addition to the game - guards can and will, rarely, climb or ascend ladders - though it doesn't matter anyway. One because there are pretty much no ladders - hell, there aren't even many stairs in the game, because that would mean the Xbox would have to load a level bigger than a front room. Two, they take so long getting off a ladder you can stab them with the dagger before they even find their feet. Yes you heard me correctly, of the game I've played, there are virtually no floors in the mansions with the exception of the training mission. Remember the huge, four-floored mansions in Thief 2? You'll be lucky to get two floors in Deadly Shadows. Remember the huge amount of secrets and hidden bits in the levels? There are practically none, a lot like the recent debacle of the Deus Ex sequel. That's gaming evolution for you. If there are huge buildings to venture through, these are accompanied by lovely two to three minute loading times, which make you forget you're even in the same building. Even the outside sections have loading times, and it sent me insane. One of the earlier "levels" consists almost entirely of zombies which are so low and lumbering you can just speed past them. Stealthy. At least this mission didn't have the atmosphere of a public toilet like the first two did. I really haven't played this game for that long, but I felt I had to write a review of it, and am finding it increasingly hard to try to like this game. Looks like Ion Storm killed the Thief series at this moment, and it shall be interesting to see what other people think. Good
Training mission excellent
FMV's are in the style of the old games
Graphics look quite nice Bad
Looks like Splinter Cell (third-person view is default)
Every mission is a mansion/castle
Loot received message takes up half the damn screen
Needs Windows XP to run
Rating: 
Summary: Solid previews
Review: Normally I wouldn't write a review of a game until it is released but in this case I feel the need to balance out the ratings because of the negative reviews (...) that have been posted here. If the game is going to be so bad then why has every major game site raved on about how good their hands-on previews have been? Not to mention all the positive coverage from E3? Personally (...) Also, just because a game is released on a console as well as the PC does not mean it is going to be awful - anyone who played Star Wars: KOTR, or Splinter Cell Pandora etc etc can testify to this. As far as I'm concerned, if Deadly Shadows can recapture even part of the atmosphere of the early games then I will buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Beats its predecessors
Review: Thief 1 was great, Thief 2 wasn't as good, but Thief 3 is the best of the series. When i got the thief games, I was looking forward to stealth play in medieval times. The zombies were a turn off, but later added alot to the story, as did the trickster. Thief 2 i hated because of the ridiculous technology, however, in Thief 3, they perfectly balanced everything out. The story picks up from the ending of Thief 2 where we're left hanging. A few improvements are the graphics, the AI, and the logical realism that the first 2 games didn't have. The characters (such as the hammerites) don't look goofy anymore, and the zombies are pretty creepy. The game kept its signature sounds; you'll hear familiar music and sound effects, and especially quotes and voice actors, which really brings back memories. The game's atmosphere is preserved just the way the fans remember and love it, whether you're dealing with the Pagans or in a Hammerite territory. Another interesting improvement is the way you get missions. Alot of times you start at your place (or as a guest at other places depending on where you are in the game) and you make your way through the vast city to the locations you need to get to. As long as you dont have a weapon out, citizens will ignore you, but there are always select guards (CityWatch) you have to hide from. I could go on, but if you were a fan of the first two games, get this addicting and well-written game to complete the story.
Rating: 
Summary: It's quirky, it's consolized, but it's still Thief!
Review: Let's get the bad out of the way first. Yes, the design suffered rather badly for the cross-platform effort. Yes, there were a few good points of the first two games taken out. Yes, the game CAN be a bit of a resource hog.
Now for the good. Firstly, my admittedly mid-range system (XP2200+, Radeon 9600Pro) didn't have too much trouble, except in some lighting-heavy sections. (These ARE real-time shadows we're talking about, that actually affect gameplay.) There are a few bugs in the game, including a serious one involving the AI and the difficulty level- but there are workarounds to be found, and Eidos/Ion Storm are talking about releasing a patch.
But the real meat of the game is in the gameplay, and that's where TDS shines. Most of the levels can take well over an hour to complete, on par with many of the earlier Thief missions. And some of them- including Overlook Mansion and Shalebridge Cradle- are simply stunning in their atmosphere and use of sound and lighting. (Not to mention that the Cradle is touted by many Thief fans as being the most frightening gameplay experience in recent history. I'll vouch for that!) The lighting engine lets you make your own shadows to hide in- open a door in front of a lamp and make yourself a pool of darkness to hide in. The AI on Expert has caught me a few times due to small things, like leaving a chest open. It's not perfect, but it's pretty bright for game AI.
Certainly, the game has its problems, but none of them are impossible to overcome if you come at the game with a fresh mind and a willingness to give it a chance. I'm not sorry I bought it!
Rating:
Summary: One great game
Review: I don't know what game some of these reviewers are playing. This is a five star game if there ever was one. The graphics are terrific, there are no bugs in the software, and gameplay is as good, if not better, than the original two Thief games. The game is also very long. You get a lot of entertainment for your dollar. A true masterpiece of a game. I hope Eidos doesn't wait five years to release the next Thief game.
Rating:
Summary: Mixed feelings from a long time fan
Review: I have a lot of mixed feelings with this game. I am a Thief Fan from way back, Thief the dark project, Thief Gold, Thief the metal age. Countless user missions from the Editor fron Thief-Darkproject.com I think that was the URL, I remember when they originally said there would be no more Thief's. That was quite a few years ago and since then I quit looking for anything on thief. I believe I have done it all in there. Anyway Today I learned that there was a new Thief Deadly Shadows. I bought it on my way home from work and have been plugged into the PC since I got home. I have to agree with Steve Rhyn as he is obviously a great Thief Fan from old much like myself. And I will try not to spoil anything in the game. I absolutely hate the fact there are no interactions and scenes between levels really does take something away from the game. Please bring those back if there is a thief 4, they really add to sucking you into the game. I also hate the loss of some controls. No Swinging on the Rope arrows, No Leaning Around doorways to blackjack. And the Zone like doorways what in the heck is that. Thief the Metal age had Huge Huge areas in the game that were very complex. This game being 3 cd's is actually much smaller and less complex than the previous versions. I am also starting it off on expert level right away, 3 levels deep still 100% of all the loot. No real difficult things to figure out and No real fun things to do to stray Garret from the path. How Many old thief players took a running Jump from the 3rd floor of Lord Bafford's Mansion while running from a guard praying you hit the pool and not the cobble stone edge of the pool. And the last thing I noticed Garrret doesn't talk to you as much, Bring Back the Funny Garret one liners or put a few more in. Garret seems to have lost his sense of humor. However all these bad things I listed, the Game still gets 4 stars. Ok, enough of the Bad I am done benig a taffert, the good, Oh it's Garret alright. There is no mistaking him, even if he has lost some sense of humor. He is still calm cool and collected. If you played Thief before you have no trouble recognizing him. How the heck they found either the guy that originally did Garrets voice or found a great replacement I do not know but it is the old soothing Garret. The Graphics, are outstanding I can not confirm but I would swear the one time I got up close and personal with a guard he had stubble on his face that threw moving shadows. I didn't last too long because they grabbed my attention so much I had to just stop and appreciate the graphics. But the Actual in game graphics are better than the closing Cinematic of the previous games. The new ability to flatten to a wall is cool. But really haven't found it overly useful. I am still a die hard crouch in the shadows fan but I am sure I will get use to having it there. The new lock picking is better and a lot more interesting. At first it annoyed me, but you know now I can appreciate it. How many times did I sit there and not pay any attention to the lock picking before, you got in the habit of just holding down the mouse buttons while letting it work. Now you got to really work it. So for the old Garret everything else you will feel right at home and the Story continues. Excellent job at continuing the story. But also it is not so entrenched as the new person could not pick this up and just start playing. Be Warned the Guards have some new tricks to root you out of hiding as well. PC Requirements, with the Graphics seems a bit high. I have a Huge Alienware system, 4 gigs Ram, 256 meg 8X AGP GForce and first thing I did was crank the graphics up to the highest level. I had to step them down a couple notches because I was getting some staggering jumps in some spots. Other than that it ran fine, and there is nothing sweeter than seeing Garrets shadow as you run past torches and stuff. In Closing The Old Thief Player will not be disappointed, but slightly annoyed at the lack of some of Garret's abilities, and some other interface changes. The New Player should find this as extremely absorbing as the original games were to us old farts. And this is a fairly Unique game. There has never been anything like the Thief line and I do not think there ever will be.
Rating:
Summary: Thief 3
Review: What can I say this is a truly worthy addition to the very entertaining Thief franchise. This title not only ties into the storylines of the previous two games but adds so much more. The multiple factions you have to deal with form an intricate fabric that sometimes you forget who you're working for and who is looking to end your life. The graphics and music are far more extensive and immersive than the previous games. Merging that with awesome level design makes you want to explore every nook and cranny just to see it all. Unlike other people who have said that playing earlier "beta" versions yielded no multi-level, multi-roomed mansions you're sorely mistaken. This game teems with huge complicated maps and manors. The weapons array is, for the most part, the same as the last game minus the rope arrows. You get climbing gloves instead which have many tiny hooks on it to grasp vertical surfaces. Not all missions are condusive to climbing gloves but then again when it's available you'll use the heck out of them. There are a few more tricks in your arsenal and this time around you visit shops to buy/sell your loot and weapons. Nice addition! All in all Thief 3 is well worth the price of purchase and with the new modern game engine is quite viable for making third party mods and conversions. Yay! Buy the game and enjoy it! :)
Rating: 
Summary: A bit disappointing
Review: I am a HUGE fan of TDP, Gold, and TMA, and was really looking forward to Thief 3. However, the concessions to simultaneous Xbox design have really sucked some of the joy from it. The use of zone doors really takes away from the epic feel we got in the Metal Age, and the redesigned light crystal is nowhere as easy as the old version. The levels are tight, and the lack of a lean forward prevents easy blackjacking from the shadows (which is one of my favorite things). The loot glint and blue highlighting really take you out of the game as well. The lack of cutscenes really hurts too - in 1 and 2, they were very atmospheric, and really added to the immersion factor. Those things said, the voice acting was superb, the story was immersive, and the factions played their parts well. I enjoyed having to work with fences to offload the loot, and shopping the stores was a nice addition. As for the video updates, it just seemed like we lost gameplay options to accomodate the upgraded graphics. Why not allow pixel shading to be disabled? Without that ability, lots of folks are going to find out that their card doesn't really run this (I am using a GF4 ti4600, and it runs OK). With Deus Ex 2, and Thief 3, I am starting to worry about Ion Storm. Here's hoping HL2 and DOOM3 don't follow the same road...
Rating:
Summary: Be careful
Review: Make sure to check the req. I know I didn't.
Who would of thought a game would only work for windows 2000? I personally have stuck with 98,and well, thief doesnt work with any other OS.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT GAME!!!
Review: This game is great!!! I finished it once through already and never once was the story or action not gripping. There are times it is even really, really scary. Creepier than games that are meant to be scary. I love the climbing gloves and being able to do break-ins and mug people. The only wish item is that the areas were bigger with a lot more
places to break into. There really aren't that many, and when you get the climbing gloves, you already broke into most of them. I love this game and beat it at normal difficulty. I plan on playing it again at the highest setting.
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