jtr7 on 15/3/2009 at 20:51
If the self-sabotage is your way of making something seem better, Koki, than you have a chance, but it doesn't sound like you'll enjoy much of anything.
bukary on 15/3/2009 at 21:17
Yes, The Cradle is great (10/10). Yes, TDS is good (in fact, it has much better storyline than Thief 2). But, of course, TDP makes TDS (and the whole universe*, if you wish) look like shit.
And, Koki, do not play TDS. Why would we all want you to have some fun? ;)
*Hmmm. Of course, we all know that Calendra's Legacy is NOT from our universe.
Muzman on 16/3/2009 at 04:36
The Cradle is kinda reversing the whole Thief level ethos anyway, and it's then fairly theatrical about it. I don't think Koki likes theatre.
Jah on 16/3/2009 at 08:51
In terms of atmosphere, I think The Cradle is one of the strongest OM's in the entire series. Playing it for the first time was one of the few times I've been genuinely scared by a computer game.
That being said, The Cradle's replay value is not as high as that of many other missions, IMO. The atmosphere and suspense is largely based on not knowing what's going on and what to expect, and once that wears off, it becomes a bit of a stretched-out FedEx mission. As far as the original question is concerned, it sounds like you've made up your mind already, so I doubt anything anyone's going to say here is going to make much difference.
nickie on 16/3/2009 at 13:15
That was a cruel thing to do to someone who's not even had her first cup of tea of the day Yandros. :laff:
And BA - I've loaded up R3 on my new pc - and I can see a whole heap more and move much quicker so maybe I won't be such a big wuss when I get to that bit again. :D (yeah I know, unlikely)
Koki, the thing I've found about TDS is that the more I play it, the easier and more comfortable it gets. It also plays a lot better on said new pc. I also felt really negative about it and tried to think of it as something completely different. It's helped, I think, because I haven't given up again yet. Mind you, I haven't got any further than the first time - but I look upon it more kindly. :)
SubJeff on 16/3/2009 at 13:23
The Cradle was already hyped a little when I played TDS but even so I loved it.
Yes, its very different to other Thief levels and yes imho it is the stand out level in the game. Not for its design though, but for the amount of backstory that it has.
RTTC still stands out as Thief's scariest level to me, but the Cradle is more... disturbing.
Koki - if you loved the movement and mechanics of Thief 1 and 2 (which I think we all do, no?) then TDS will let you down because of pure simple idiocy of a crappy engine. There are lots of great things about it (dynamic shadows for exampe) but imho if you aren't going to get the basics right (walking, mantling, leaning, headbob, stupid body awareness, lack of rope arrows, crappy limited climbing gloves) then wtf is the point?
Roll on T4/TDM and a properly designed and utilised engine/in-game movement mechanic. TDSs movement mechanic is like having a variable lag between pressing the jump button and jumping in Mario Bros/World - a nonsense of "you should be shot for doltery" proportions.
Vasquez on 17/3/2009 at 21:33
Why bother? You'd just play it so you could whine about what a piece of over-hyped shit it was ;)
Gambit on 18/3/2009 at 03:43
If you think that TDS design decisions are bad...
Maybe the minimalist mod can help you. It makes some changes like a less intrusive hub, and other fine details.
It´s true that the gameplay is not as immersive as TDP and TMA but after the first bad feelings the game starts to grow on you.
I realise they had severe limitations with their new engine and, even with these limitations they tried their best with it. And their best is the Cradle.
I also think the story is nice, a good way to finish the Thief trilogy.
There´s also a pagan level that I find very beautiful.
It´s not as imersive as the other games, but I´m being honest: I had a lot of fun (and scares of course) with it.
On a personal note I was more scared of the Cradle than the Cathedral, but I love then both.
Meisterdieb on 18/3/2009 at 05:39
Just play the game...
...then you can come back and complain and whine like the rest of us.
(or praise and love it - whichever it is).
