Am I the only idiot...

WhiteFantom on 14/6/2008 at 02:58

Quote Posted by The Magpie

It has to do with so-called spatial awareness. We are born with those abilities in differing amounts, but they are trainable.

Interestingly, research shows a distinct gender variation in this matter. See Pease&Pease: Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps.

--
Larris

I've always found it odd that women seem to have a tendency to be map-dumb. I'm a woman, and I've always been good at reading maps. In fact, it's the only way I can navigate new places--if you give me verbal directions ("Turn at the third red light, pass the 7-11 and the McDonalds, turn right at the corner where you see Walgreens and K-Mart, watch for a big red sign on the left that says 'You Are There'), I will get completely lost. But give me a street address and a map and I'll find my own way. :-P

As for Thief, I rarely ever get significantly lost. I have a fairly methodical way of exploring levels, and I tend to keep reasonable track of areas I've been to. I'm glad when missions include maps, but even for those that don't, I usually don't have too much of a problem (I also almost never use the compass...don't know why).

The "cheat" method is a good one, though; if there's ever a situation where I'm afraid I won't be able to figure out that I've already taken a particular path (like in those oh-so-clever junctions with six identical doors all leading radially outward so that it looks exactly the same no matter which door you enter from), I always drop an inventory item there to mark where I've been (apples seem to be my favorite for this :-) ).

--Jennifer

WhiteFantom on 14/6/2008 at 03:03

Quote Posted by TheGrimSmile

Well, the method works well except for zombies. I hate zombies so I just kinda... skip them

But zombies are the easiest AI to outrun--they're slow as Christmas and dumb as rocks. ;-)

--Jennifer

Shadak on 14/6/2008 at 14:03

I constantly check my compass, very very often, and try to keep "building up" a mental 3D image of the whole area that is somewhat accurate. It usually works very well for me. It's also one of the few things I really prefer about Thief 3, that the compass is part of the HUD. :)

TheGrimSmile on 14/6/2008 at 16:53

Quote Posted by WhiteFantom

But zombies are the easiest AI to outrun--they're slow as Christmas and dumb as rocks. ;-)

--Jennifer

Aye, they are slow BUT that means if I happen to go through an area where I've already been, the zombies might be there, waiting for me... they're ugly. I tried to play the second mission in TG, but I ended up chickening out when I nocked a zombie to the ground with my sword and it's head went up and looked like it was staring at me.

I did try the bonehoard, but I only had to kill one zombie and only went as far as the Alarus Extention.

Maps are nice, but they'll never help me with zombies (trying to stay on subject... I failed)

WhiteFantom on 14/6/2008 at 18:13

Quote Posted by TheGrimSmile

Eh, zombies don't really even scare me all that much. Apparitions, in my opinion, are much creepier (and faster, more dangerous, and harder to get rid of). My favorite Thief undead are Haunts, though. :-)

--Jennifer

Beleg Cúthalion on 14/6/2008 at 19:31

Since you are (were) talking about spatial awareness; how would you interpret/understand this song-lyrics-like phrase "spatial I feel"? For a non native speaker like I am it's most likely not completely tangible. :erg:

TheGrimSmile on 17/6/2008 at 19:14

Quote Posted by WhiteFantom

I hate how fast Haunts move, so I did enjoy giving them a few good burns in TDS, though I think they were a little less scary...

Gotta keep that skull squeaky clean!

Do flashbombs work on haunts?

WhiteFantom on 17/6/2008 at 20:08

Quote Posted by TheGrimSmile

Do flashbombs work on haunts?

Yep. :-) They're really easy to backstab, though--it's just like blackjacking living guards, except the sword is a little slower. That's why Haunts are my favorite undead in Thief--they're tough enough to be a challenge, but you can also get rid of them without using any limited resources (which is why I don't care for zombies--the only way to truly get rid of them requires using either holy water+water arrows, flash bombs, fire arrows, or mines--all of which are in limited supply. To get rid of a Haunt, all I need is my sword and some patience :-) ).

--Jennifer

eagle17 on 18/6/2008 at 07:12

Swordfighting haunts is fun, but it gets a bit scary when you run into three of them at the same time. Like during my first playthrough of RTC. You know, just grabbed the Eye, I thought I have managed to lose all those deranged zombies, so I save for the first time in mission. It was in one of those narrow corridors, everything seemed nice and fine until three haunts burst through door in front of me. My jaw dropped along with my last flashbomb so I went for it, knowing I would't be able to outrun them. Took me three loads to beat them, nothing I'd like to repeat. Since then I'm MUCH more careful person ;)

The point is, I felt reasonably victorious after this little adventure, so I limped towards front door of the cathedral, with two shields of health only to find out you know what. Another two hours of sneaking in cloister, looking for health potion is what I call near death experience...but rewarding. This was the point when I have completely fallen for Thief :D