Aemanyl on 3/2/2024 at 21:13
[CENTER]Aemanyl's Guide to Classic Thief 1/Gold FMs (1999-2004)[/CENTER]The purpose of this guideThe release of
The Black Parade in late 2023 has undoubtedly brought a lot of attention to the first game in Thief series. This resurgence has brought an influx of new players seeking recommendations for fan missions. However, rather than focusing on the larger and more complex missions from the recent years that are frequently inquired about, this guide is designed to introduce players to the classic Thief: The Dark Project/Gold levels published in the formative years between 1999 and 2004. Though often simpler and smaller in scale, these maps from the early years of Thief modding provide a nostalgic glimpse into the foundation of the fan mission community. Many of them also hold up exceptionally well to this day.
Important notes- I have selected the recommendations based on the combination of following factors: Thief Guild ratings (sorted by best and most popular categories from 1999 to 2004), numerous TTLG threads of most recommended missions, conversations and discussions with other Thief fans, accessibility for new players, and finally my personal preferences. As I didn't want to make this list too long or overwhelming, please let me know if there are any other 'must-play' FMs that could be added.
- To ensure that these classic levels will work smoothly and correctly on New Dark, it is highly recommended to play them with the latest version of TFix installed. Please consult nicked's helpful guide available (
https://nickdablin.wordpress.com/how-to-play-thief-fan-missions/) HERE for details on how to do it.
Difficulty explanationThe levels have been categorised by difficulty to provide players with a broad and general idea (as measuring difficulty can be often a rather subjective matter) of what to expect when playing these fan missions.
Easy. This category features missions either easier than the original Thief levels or of a similar difficulty level. It is recommended for new Thief players who have just completed the original game and aim to transition smoothly into fan-made content.
Moderate. This category includes missions that are at a similar difficulty level to the original Thief missions or slightly more challenging.
Hard. This category includes missions that are markedly more difficult than original Thief missions. Please keep in mind that if you are not an experienced Thief player, you may occasionally need to consult a walkthrough when playing these levels.
LIST OF FAN MISSIONSLord Edmund EntertainsReleased: September 21, 1999
Genre: Mansion/Town
Difficulty: Easy
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/11/) Info & Screenshots
(
http://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=edmund) Download
Description: I would sincerely recommend this level to those who have enjoyed playing
Lord Bafford's Manor and would like to start their fan mission adventure with a relatively straightforward yet well-designed mansion break.
In Lord Edmund Entertains, Garrett is gatecrashing into a secret meeting organised by the said nobleman. Before we break into Edmund's residence to discover his secrets, our journey commences in the town streets, which are very atmospheric and consist of several buildings that can be entered. Notably, the meticulously crafted scrolls and diaries within this level elevate the ambience, adding depth and immersion to the experience. Overall, the mission's manageable size, accessible difficulty, and great quality make it an ideal starting point for beginners.
The VigilReleased: February 1, 2000
Genre: Cemetery/Sewers/Town
Difficulty: Easy
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/9/) Info & Screenshots
(
http://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=vigil) Download
Description:
The Vigil is a sequel to
Lord Edmund Entertains, so it is advisable to play the latter beforehand to fully understand the story. It is a skilfully designed mission with spooky atmosphere, plenty of clever puzzles, and a variety of environments (including the cemetery grounds, sewers, or the warehouse) through which Garrett will journey to achieve his goals.
Circle of Strain CampaignReleased: August 10, 1999; January 27, 2000
Genre: Mansion/City
Difficulty: Easy
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/4685/) Info & Screenshots
(
https://www.mediafire.com/file/z1ecdxsh42wfjk5/COS+Campaign+2.0a.zip) Download
Description: Initially released separately,
Circle of Strain is a collection of three classic missions made by Mokkis. The first two levels are short mansion burglaries that are quite charming and atmospheric in their simplicity. The third episode starts in a well-crafted and expansive city section, showcasing remarkable detail for its time upon release, before transitioning into another mansion heist. It would be recommended for you play the New Dark update by Antimatter_16 (linked above), as it fixes a number of important bugs and allows you to play the individual levels as a full campaign.
ShunnedReleased: November 9, 1999
Genre: Undead/Horror
Difficulty: Easy
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/3765/) Info & Screenshots
(
https://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=shunned) Download
Description: Clearly inspired by the highly imaginative works of H. P. Lovecraft,
Shunned is a short yet interesting horror mission, in which Garrett has to recover a valuable occult book from a haunted house.
Gerome of the WoodlandsReleased: February 20, 2000
Genre: Mansion
Difficulty: Easy
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/4090/gerome-of-the-woodlands) Info & Screenshots
(
https://www.thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=gerome) Download
Description:
Gerome of the Woodlands is a perfect choice if you are looking for a short and neat mansion level with a design reminiscent of
Lord Bafford's Manor and
The Sword. While not groundbreaking by any means, this mission also includes a beautifully designed garden and offers solid gameplay that will entertain you for approximately 20 minutes.
Autumn in Lampfire HillsReleased: Early October, 1999
Genre: Town/Catacombs/Undead
Difficulty: Moderate
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/2866/autumn-in-lampfire-hills-v2) Info & Screenshots
(
http://download.darkfate.org/fan-missions/thief1/autumn_in_lampfire_hills/Lampfire_2.1a.zip) Download
Description: A fantastic Halloween fan mission made by Purah. Retired from his thieving adventures, Garrett purchases a cosy cottage located in the district of Lampfire Hills. However, soon he stumbles upon a mysterious lock on one of the walls of his new house. This unexpected discovery sets the stage for an immersive exploration of a stunningly atmospheric town, adorned with the warm glow of carved pumpkins. Voted by the TTLG community as the best fan mission of 1999,
Autumn in Lampfire Hills also stands out for its interesting storyline and well-written readables. It is advised to play the New Dark update by Antimatter_16 (linked above), as it fixes a number of important bugs.
Calendra's CisternReleased: August 10, 2000
Genre: City/Undead
Difficulty: Moderate
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/7288/calendras-cistern-v20) Info & Screenshots
(
http://download.darkfate.org/fan-missions/thief1/calendras_cistern/Calendra%202.0c.zip) Download
Description: In this superbly crafted mission created by Team Purah, Garrett gatecrashes Lady Calendra's party held in the refurbished cisterns below the city streets. Voted by the TTLG community as the best fan mission of 2000,
Calendra's Cistern is a highly atmospheric work of digital art with a compelling storyline, multiple side quests, innovative scripting, an intro video, and fully voiced conversations. It is advised to play the New Dark update by Antimatter_16 (linked above), as it fixes a number of important bugs.
Bloodstone PrisonReleased: November 27, 1999
Genre: Undead/Prison/Horror
Difficulty: Moderate
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/3813/) Info & Screenshots
(
https://www.thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=bldstn10) Download
Description: Universally considered one of the best early missions made for Thief 1,
Bloodstone Prison takes you on a bone-chilling adventure to an abandoned prison overrun by the undead. This highly atmospheric level incorporates elements of horror, conveyed mainly through masterfully crafted light and shadow design and unsettling ambience rather than relying on cheap jump scares.
Geller's PrideReleased: May 21, 2001
Genre: Mansion/City
Difficulty: Moderate
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/2377/) Info & Screenshots
(
https://www.thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=Gpride) Download
Description: Often appearing on the list of recommended fan missions,
Geller's Pride is an enjoyable mansion break that also includes some additional town areas for exploration. Entertaining in terms of gameplay and story, yet not excessively difficult, this level would be particularly recommended for those who liked
Lord Bafford's Manor and
Assassins.
The Death of GarrettReleased: October 5, 1999
Genre: Caves/Mansion
Difficulty: Moderate
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/5/the-death-of-garrett) Info & Screenshots
(
http://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=dog) Download
Description: Awakening in an unfamiliar underground place without weapons after being double-crossed by Bok, the treacherous thief, Garrett is determined to plot his revenge against the betrayer who left him stranded.
The Death of Garrett is an intriguing blend of cave exploration with a pleasantly challenging mansion heist. Featuring a few neat surprises and displaying very competent design for its age upon release, it stands as an early gem that is certainly worth playing.
Cult of the ResurrectionReleased: May 3, 2000
Genre: Thieves/Ruins/Horror
Difficulty: Moderate
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/2529/cult-of-the-resurrection) Info & Screenshots
(
https://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=cultv1) Download
Description: In
Cult of the Resurrection, Garrett is tasked with infiltrating a Hammerite temple that has been taken over by a cultist group known as The Resurrection. This group consists of brigands and thieves rumoured to be in possession of a precious artefact imbued with magical powers. The objective is to recover this item. The mission is exceptionally well-made, seamlessly weaving Pagan and supernatural themes into both the design and narrative. It is important to note that the author, Sledge, also produced
The Inverted Manse, a masterful undead horror experience for Thief 2. Furthermore, Sledge contributed to the development of
Thief 2X: Shadows of the Metal Age and served as a level designer for Thief 3: Deadly Shadows.
The Saint of RedmoundReleased: May 13, 2001
Genre: Hammerite/Catacombs
Difficulty: Moderate
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/3129/) Info & Screenshots
(
https://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=redmound) Download
Description: Often considered one of the best early Hammerite levels,
The Saint of Redmound is Morrgan's stellar debut. Garrett's job for tonight is simple: break into a Hammerite monastery and steal a holy relic, the skull of St. Lambert. The atmosphere in this map is frequently described as cosy and relaxing. I can totally agree with that assessment - neither too difficult, nor too simple,
The Saint of Redmound is a perfect choice for unwinding on a Friday evening. With its effective old-school design reminiscent of
Lord Bafford's Manor and
Undercover, the mission almost looks like it could have been made for the original Thief: The Dark Project.
Returning a FavorReleased: January 17, 2004
Genre: Hammerite
Difficulty: Moderate
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/3119/) Info & Screenshots
(
https://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=favor) Download
Description: This is the sequel to
The Saint of Redmound. In this compactly designed yet very enjoyable murder mystery mission set in a Hammerite compound, Garrett is approached by his friend Brother Lukas to assist him in uncovering evidence that would prove his innocence. With its captivating plot conveyed through readables and environmental storytelling,
Returning a Favor derives its inspiration from Umberto Eco's famous novel
The Name of the Rose. Authored by Morrgan, it stands as a remarkably solid level up to this day.
Shadow of Doubt #2: Tears of BloodReleased: August 8, 2002
Genre: Prison/Hammerite/Escape/Ghosting
Difficulty: Hard
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/2379/) Info & Screenshots
(
https://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=SoD2) Download Single Level
(
https://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=ShadowofDoubt) Download Full Campaign
Description:
Tears of Blood is the second mission in
Shadow of Doubt campaign made by Sperry. In this fantastic level, Garrett is ambushed by Hammerites and incarcerated in Guilesatpeak Prison. With death as the sole alternative, he finds himself left with no option but to attempt an escape. Often praised as the best mission in the campaign, alongside
Broadsword of Sheol (see below),
Tears of Blood is remarkable in its visual and auditory depiction of a hopelessly bleak, dark, and gritty jail. Forced ghosting on the highest difficulty adds a layer of challenge as you navigate narrow corridors and tight patrols. The level can be either enjoyed individually or as a part of
Shadow of Doubt campaign. Prior to playing, ensure that you have installed the latest version of TFix, as it addresses an unfortunate game-breaking bug that has been resolved in the said patch.
Shadow of Doubt #4: Broadsword of SheolReleased: August 8, 2002
Genre: Catacombs/Undead/Horror/Lost Civilisations/Puzzle
Difficulty: Hard
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/2379/) Info & Screenshots
(
https://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=SoD4) Download Single Level
(
https://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=ShadowofDoubt) Download Full Campaign
Description:
Broadsword of Sheol is the fourth instalment of
Shadow of Doubt campaign made by Sperry. Venturing deep down into an abandoned mortuary nestled on a tropical island, Garrett has to steal the titular ancient sword.
Broadsword of Sheol exudes an oppressive atmosphere that can likened to the uncharted recesses of the human mind, where unconscious fears and anxieties dwell in the shadows. It is arguably one of the most terrifying and creepy missions ever created.
Broadsword of Sheol also served as the primary inspiration behind the equally tense
Jaws of Darkness, the eighth mission of
The Black Parade campaign. An unforgettable experience. The level can be either enjoyed individually or as a part of
Shadow of Doubt campaign.
Thief: BrainchildReleased: June 17, 2002
Genre: Experimental/Sci-fi
Difficulty: Hard
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/2383/thief-brainchild) Info & Screenshots
(
https://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=Brainchild) Download
Description: Intentionally released without any readme file or description,
Brainchild is a classic experimental mission made by Sperry. Nameless and without any equipment, you wake up in a strange maze of claustrophobic metal corridors, intermittently flashing lights, and containers holding an unknown green substance. All you know is that you are stuck in some kind of a futuristic prison that you need to escape from. Through an amazing use of light and shadow, modified interface, and interesting level design,
Brainchild adeptly constructs a dreary atmosphere of isolation and constriction that will keep you intrigued until the very end.
The Varyx ObeliskReleased: April 20, 2001
Genre: Town/Puzzle/Horror
Difficulty: Hard
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/1905/the-varyx-obelisk) Info & Screenshots
(
https://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=VaryxObelisk) Download
Description:
The Varyx Obelisk is a very original fan mission, in which Garrett explores an abandoned Keeper compound. The mission is a large and slightly challenging keyhunt filled with plenty of hidden areas and puzzles. It conveys a peculiar yet stellar atmosphere of desolation and eeriness that you are unlikely to find in other fan creations. Highly recommended level. If you enjoy it, there is also a short sequel called
Heart and Soul released in 2002 (not to be confused with
Heart and Soul from 2018).
Lorgan's WebReleased: October 9, 2001
Genre: City/Mansion
Difficulty: Hard
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/2606/) Info & Screenshots
(
https://thiefmissions.com/m/LorgansWeb) Download
Description: In this technically advanced classic mission, Garrett prepares himself for a mansion heist when things take a sudden turn. The City Watch arrives at his apartment, forcing him to flee - someone betrayed him. His objectives are to find the wrongdoer and to steal a collection of expensive jewellery from Lord Fishkill's estate.
Lorgan's Web is based on the original map from
Assassins. Unlike the vanilla level, however, the city in
Lorgan's Web is no longer empty. Garrett can enter almost every building and there are some new areas as well. The storyline is complex and features numerous plot twists and non-linear ways to accomplish some objectives. There are also many entertaining readables and custom voice acting. Overall, this is a great and very enjoyable level.
Events in HighrockReleased: June 1, 2000
Genre: City/Horror/Caves/Undead
Difficulty: Hard
(
https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/7/) Info & Screenshots
(
http://thiefmissions.com/download.cgi?m=highrock) Download
Description:
Events in Highrock is a massive and very detailed city mission with complex objectives (including a few side quests), original scripted events, and great ambience. However, the level is not easy at times, especially due to a couple of tricky puzzles - you may need to consult the walkthrough. If you can keep that in mind, you are up for a real treat that will keep you immersed for approximately 3-4 hours.
