Did anyone get an impression of creative burnout at the end of The Black Parade? - by Garrett731
Garrett731 on 1/12/2025 at 19:14
I get this feeling around the last two missions, almost like there was some shift in development or creative output.
Coming from Where Old Faces Fade and Kept Away From View, I expected Arcane Sanctum (a place of magic) to be an enchanted fortress of astrological textures, elemental sentinels, alchemical tables that transmuted items into lootable gold, (the theme has so much creative potential). Barring the introductory firework display and celebrations, the castle itself was just a collection of marble, wood, and rug textures, made occasionally laggy by rows of surrounding and purely decorative buildings.
After Jaws of Darkness, I expected The Black Parade (the final level) to be the ultimate tribute to Thief; Lovecraftian voids of shattered architecture and levitational platforms that really tested the player's toolset and cunning. It had some interesting enemies, but it was just key-hunting in a crude stone tower with uninspired horror elements.
I'm hoping there's an official update or re-collaboration in the future, because I read certain ideas had to be discarded over the course of development. If not a mission remake, then maybe an unlockable or secret bonus mission; the Arcane Sanctum is actually a clever façade, and the true magic and splendour of the Sanctum is hidden away. This way, the authors could insert the rest of their creative gems without jeopardising the archetypal structure of the crown (hope that metaphor makes sense). It would also be fitting, given 'arcane' means mysterious or secret.
Just to clarify: I consider The Black Parade to be the best stealth simulation campaign of all time; no disrespect is intended whatsoever.
Basso The Boxman on 1/12/2025 at 19:19
Are you SERIOUSLY creating a thread to complain about the greatest campaign since the original games? These authors don't owe you shit. We should all be grateful of what they created for us for FREE. 8 years of hard work. It is remarkable what they accomplished. So the last thing they need or the thief community needs, are whiny entitled people like you who have no respect for the work they put in to accomplish such a remarkable campaign. Seriously. Have some respect. You don't like it? Move along. As if the authors are gonna redo the last two missions cause you don't like them��
Garrett731 on 1/12/2025 at 19:47
Quote Posted by Basso The Boxman
Are you SERIOUSLY creating a thread to complain about the greatest campaign since the original games? These authors don't owe you shit. We should all be grateful of what they created for us for FREE. 8 years of hard work. It is remarkable what they accomplished. So the last thing they need or the thief community needs, are whiny entitled people like you who have no respect for the work they put in to accomplish such a remarkable campaign. Seriously. Have some respect. You don't like it? Move along. As if the authors are gonna redo the last two missions cause you don't like them��
Your response is emotional. I call The Black Parade one of the best stealth sim campaigns of all time (read my original post), but that doesn't mean I can't be curious about the development process, or respectfully criticise the last two missions.
Basso The Boxman on 1/12/2025 at 19:50
You are not being curious. You're criticizing it as if you're owed a better last two missions. You're not. And i find it extremely disrespectful towards the authors.
Garrett731 on 1/12/2025 at 19:56
Quote Posted by Basso The Boxman
You are not being curious. You're criticizing it as if you're owed a better last two missions. You're not. And i find it extremely disrespectful towards the authors.
That isn't my intention. I loved The Black Parade so much that I originally wanted to donate a sum of money to the authors on release, and I know how much work went into it. Still, I felt there was a curious decline at the end, and it genuinely puzzled me. I'm sorry if that bothers you, and can appreciate your impulsive need to defend the authors.
Aemanyl on 1/12/2025 at 20:15
I agree with Garrett731 that the last two missions are inferior to the rest of the campaign. I still think that Arcane Sanctum is a good mission, but I felt like there were a couple of things missing to make it as great as previous maps. The final level has a unique and interesting atmosphere; however, everything else is just rather average, and this is where it really feels like the devs ran out of ideas. Even so, given the sheer scope of the entire project, the overall consistency in quality remains remarkably high.
While Basso is correct in stating that the authors owe the audience nothing, I feel like such sycophantic defences of TBP ultimately hinder productive discussion about this impressive campaign rather than helping it.
Garrett731 on 1/12/2025 at 20:33
Quote Posted by Aemanyl
I agree with Garrett731 that the last two missions are inferior to the rest of the campaign. I still think that Arcane Sanctum is a good mission, but I felt like there were a couple of things missing to make it as great as previous maps. The final level has a unique and interesting atmosphere; however, everything else is just rather average, and this is where it really feels like the devs ran out of ideas. Even so, given the sheer scope of the entire project, the overall consistency in quality remains remarkably high.
While Basso is correct in stating that the authors owe the audience nothing, I feel like such sycophantic defences of TBP ultimately hinder productive discussion about this impressive campaign rather than helping it.
Thanks for considering my perspective without lashing out. Still, I can respect and appreciate Basso's defensiveness, as the authors did indeed do an amazing job, and entitled gamers can be tiresome.
Basso The Boxman on 1/12/2025 at 20:50
Also arcane sanctum was literally the best mission in the campaign. Yeah the last one was not my favorite either. But it is what it is. But arcane sanctum? A complete masterpiece.
Basso The Boxman on 1/12/2025 at 20:56
Quote Posted by Aemanyl
I agree with Garrett731 that the last two missions are inferior to the rest of the campaign. I still think that Arcane Sanctum is a good mission, but I felt like there were a couple of things missing to make it as great as previous maps. The final level has a unique and interesting atmosphere; however, everything else is just rather average, and this is where it really feels like the devs ran out of ideas. Even so, given the sheer scope of the entire project, the overall consistency in quality remains remarkably high.
While Basso is correct in stating that the authors owe the audience nothing, I feel like such sycophantic defences of TBP ultimately hinder productive discussion about this impressive campaign rather than helping it.
To create a thread to complain about TBP is ridiculous. Why don't you actually ask the authors if they want your criticism? There are plenty of missions I don't like. I don't go around creating threads complaining about them. I didn't like the mission you recently released but you don't see me complain about it here do you? Not sure you would love it if someone created a thread just to complain about your mission
Garrett731 on 1/12/2025 at 21:15
Quote Posted by Basso The Boxman
Also arcane sanctum was literally the best mission in the campaign. Yeah the last one was not my favorite either. But it is what it is. But arcane sanctum? A complete masterpiece.
Believe it or not, I can understand your frustration. I dislike entitled critics too, especially considering the work that went into this. However, I genuinely didn't create this thread out of entitlement, and I wasn't the only Black Parade player with this impression either.
You thought Arcane Sanctum was the best? Interesting. :angel: I felt like there was a lot of unrealised potential regarding the magic theme, but let me into your world.
