SneakyJack on 4/2/2009 at 20:21
The Abominable Dr. Dragon By ChiefDreams
This is the first fan mission from ChiefDreams, and he sure does pack alot of punch into his first outing - you'll find a little bit of everything in this one.
The Story: You know, there probably is a story somewhere in this mission but I'll be damned if I found it. I was too busy running whilst pants-crapping to have time to stop and read anything, let alone take in the story. I think it has something to do with a crazy doctor that likes to keep all brands of things that will kill you in his castle - but thats just what I got from it. Which brings me to..
The Gameplay: This one is HARD. You'll spend your time running, and running alot. You'll run from treebeasts. You'll run from hammer haunts. You'll run from thieves and guards teaming up on you. You'll run (swim) from evil eyed fish that will try to kill you. You'll run from skulls that shoot multiple projectiles at once that absolutely destroy your health and you'll run from statues that come alive to give you a good trouncing as well. There are so many things in this fan mission that are out to kill you - you'll barely have time to breathe let alone take in the surroundings and story. God help you if you are a ghoster, I'd like to hear how you make it through this mission without being caught, haha.
That being said, there are some fun things in this one. Once in a while you will see a thief in battle with a skull or a guard (when they arent teaming up to kill you) and AI vs AI battles are always exciting to watch regardless of the outcome. There are tons of surprises that I wont ruin for you here - good luck getting to see them all. I played on easy and made it through the mission with two shields left trying to hide the best I could and after using a healing potion. I'm not even going to attempt it on hard or expert - I don't hate myself that much.
The looks: This is a great looking mission once you get inside the castle. The outside looks a little plain and blocky, but the inside is very nicely textured with tons of strange S&M style art and interesting color choices. The stained glass windows you'll see in one of the screens are particularly nice to look at and well done. The textures on some of the monsters you'll encounter (such as one I have not mentioned to keep it a surprise - hint, you'll hear zombie noises) are really well done.
Overall this mission is well done with some impressive enemies and effects. Its definitely more combat oriented than a sneaker - so keep that in mind going into it. I died half a dozen times just getting through this one for screenshots.
This is one that may divide people into love-it or hate-it -
so i'd really like to hear what everyone thought about this mission after playing it. It'll be interesting to see more perspectives.
Screens:
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dragon6.jpgWelcome to hell. To be honest, I'm surprised the torches and gates are not out to kill you as well.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dragon1.jpgInside hell castle.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dragon5.jpgThis guy was pretty tired due to his back ache.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dragon2.jpgGreat looking windows that probably try to kill you, I didnt get close enough to find out.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dragon3.jpgThe entrance from above.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dragon4.jpgEvil everywhere!
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dragon7.jpgWonder what happens if I break this gla..
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dragon8.jpgOh damnit! The two dimensional effect on the hammer haunts was actually very cool.
SneakyJack on 4/2/2009 at 21:09
Circle Of Strain By Mokkis (Converted to T2 by Jimmy)
Whats the story?: The story here is pretty simple. There is a noble named Lord Jack (great name!) that has the ever so stolen Serpentile Torc and you are just the guy to take it off his hands.
How does it play?: This mission was a conversion from its original form that was created way back in '99, so I've taken the time at which it was released into account. That being said, this mission is a pretty nice sneaker that will pose a bit of challenge - but for the most part its very basic Thief gameplay. Guards aplenty, good shadows and lighting and a decent amount of loot. What more do you need? The no frills approach does not work against it in this case. A word of warning: I did experience a slight graphic stutter during my time playing this mission - I dont know if it was my system or the fan mission itself - but look out for that.
How does it look?: For a Thief 1 mission released in 1999, this one looks pretty good. I don't know if Jimmy added or removed textures when it was converted, but it still looks alright to me. Its obviously not going to hold up to a mission like The Seven Sisters or Ink and Dust - but being released nearly 10 years before those missions has to be taken into consideration. Again, very basic but does well enough on looks.
Whats the verdict?: This mission is a fun way to spend 30 minutes to an hour of your time. Its not the best looking or most technically impressive fan mission - but it is an oldie I can recommend. Give it a try!
Screens:
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/strain1.jpgGonna need to find another way in, im afraid.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/strain6.jpgThe main hall.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/strain4.jpgGroup naptime!
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/strain2.jpgWonder if he'd rather have drinks and laugh than fight. Doubt it.
Swiz on 4/2/2009 at 21:45
I loved Dr Dragon, there was a real Hammer Horror atmosphere to it. You could kill the skulls with broadheads, which made things easier.
SneakyJack on 4/2/2009 at 21:53
Quote Posted by Swiz
I loved Dr Dragon, there was a real Hammer Horror atmosphere to it. You could kill the skulls with broadheads, which made things easier.
I managed to kill one out of sheer panic with the blackjack - but the other one (or two, I can't remember how many there were) got into a tangle with a thief and a guard and didn't make it through it thankfully. I do know you can kill the statues with enough arrows (five I think on easy) so that saved me a time or two. Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts!
SneakyJack on 4/2/2009 at 22:03
Collector's Greed By DewFreak
Released: August 2001
Whats the story?: We're once again asked to go into a rich guy's estate and procure an item - this time a golden skull.
Hows it play?: This one is pretty fun. The difficulty is very low and you should have no problem ghosting or blackjacking till your hearts content. Not many surprises in this one with most of it being typical thief gameplay at its very basic level. This is another much older fan mission, so take that into account as well.
Hows it look?: Looks wise everything is very plain and blocky. This one isnt the best looking fan mission - it it is not helped by the fact that many of the rooms are completely empty or void of anything at all. Even in the rich nobles home the walls are bare and there is not much to look at. A couple areas had me thinking "why did you rush this mission out? With a little bit more work it could have been so much better".
Whats the verdict?: This mission will not take you long at all and really doesnt have much that you'd be missing if you didn't take time out of your day to play it. For those who want to play every mission I'd say give it a try - but if you've got limited fan mission time there really are many better choices to spend your time playing. Fun, but ultimately could have been much better.
Screens:
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/greed5.jpgThe archer on the left longingly waits to be accepted by the guards.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/greed4.jpgNeedless to say, this guy spotted me.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/greed2.jpgPrivate eyes.. are watching you. (I'm sure no one gets these song references or even reads these image captions)
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/greed6.jpgA look at the small city area.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/greed7.jpgAn archer to your left. "A yard of pain for you, taffer!"
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/greed1.jpgI just.... why? Really, why?
all on 4/2/2009 at 22:21
a reference to the secret area in the TG keeper training, I believe. Every fm should have one. :p
SneakyJack on 4/2/2009 at 22:42
Continuing with the Old School Mission celebration brings us to:
Dyers' Eve by Metalhead
Released: October 2001
Whats the story?: After a bad run in with The Brotherhood Of The Raven Garrett looks to extract some revenge. Garrett needs information on the brotherhood - and befriends a local "contact" who'll cough up some names or locations in exchange for a Navigation Globe from an ancient temple. There is always a catch.
Hows it play?: As far as spooky missions go - this one is fairly scary. You'll know by the loadout screen (tons of holy water, fire arrows and such for sale) that you are in for quite a bit of the undead - and this mission does not disappoint on that front. A mixture of zombies and haunts will keep you busy and afraid. There are some puzzles that can be frustrating if you don't know what to do, but for the most part its fairly straightforward loot-without-being-found type stuff. My advice: Save a few fire arrows for a rock puzzle you'll encounter.
Hows it sound?: This mission should be praised for its custom voicework for the zombies and haunts you will encounter - the female zombie was especially frightening sounding but also funny at the same time. Lines like "Do you think I'm pretty?" and "Kill me" (and after you do the deed "Thank you") remind me of system shock. I don't know if these lines were from somewhere else or custom recorded, but they were impressively done. Really adds alot to an otherwise typical undead mission.
Hows it look?: For being released in 2001 this mission looks pretty good. Everything has the run down feel you'd expect, and plenty of great touches here and there (broken pieces of the surroundings, statues, bodies) really add production value to the mission. For the timeframe it was released, this one looks good.
Whats the verdict?: I'm not a fan of undead missions but must give this one credit where it is due: This is a great undead themed mission. If that sort of thing suits you, you will not be disappointed with this one and should give it a spin.
Screens:
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dyers5.jpgImmature of me to mention that this building looks phallic? It does. Sue me.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dyers4.jpgA dead keeper, a note and holy water in the corner. Some serious undead shenanigans are going down and we both know it.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dyers3.jpgThis room looked great.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dyers2.jpgThings just got more complicated, im afraid.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/dyers1.jpgBy this point I had run out of supplies and was armed with nothing but a prayer.
SneakyJack on 4/2/2009 at 22:43
Quote Posted by all
a reference to the secret area in the TG keeper training, I believe. Every fm should have one. :p
I guess I figured thats why it was there - I just don't get
why it was there. :laff:
;)
SneakyJack on 5/2/2009 at 00:11
The Eye Of Ruthaford By William The Taffer
Released: July 2001
Whats the story?: A simple mission where Garrett is tasked with breaking into Ruthaford's estate and bringing back with him The Eye.
Hows it play?: This mission is somewhat short and fairly simple, but it looks great and is very fun to play. The gameplay here is very good for a smaller mission. There is alot of marble to deal with and you may have a tough time ghosting this one, but there will be no frustration to be found if you place a few moss arrows well enough.
Hows it look?: This is a great looking mission. Everything is well decorated, the textures used are good and there are a couple areas that really look great (the bar area and the
standup comedian to name a few) so you'll have no problem enjoying your surroundings in this one.
Hows it sound?: The opening conversation between the guards is hysterical. I don't know where this came from (Thief 1 or 2 Original Mission?) but its between a guard coming down with a cold and another guard who seems to always get him in trouble - and it isn't to be missed. One of my favorite guard conversations of all time. Otherwise, not many custom sounds in this one.
Whats the verdict?: This is a short mission that will take you less than 30 minutes but packs alot of fun gameplay into a smaller mission area. I highly recommend this one if just to experience the humor within. There are alot of funny touches that I did not mention here.
Screens:
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/ruthaford.jpgThe thermometer on the fireplace made me laugh.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/ruthaford2.jpgThis guys neck is not broken, he was just in mid yell toward me.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/ruthaford3.jpgOh joy, another basketball secret reference.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/ruthaford6.jpgKeeping the rotting zombie next to your jewels sounds like a brilliant business model.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/ruthaford5.jpgHave you ever seen anything more beautiful in your life? I wish every mission had a stash like this.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/ruthaford7.jpgTimes of peril indeed.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/ruthaford4.jpgThis fellow had an almost supernatural ability to sleep sitting up yet still be in bed. The shelf on the right side of the room was facing the wall as well - making it worthless and making me question the sanity of this fellow.
SneakyJack on 5/2/2009 at 00:16
Well, that makes around 50 missions by my count that I've personally touched on so far in this thread - I hope I haven't worn out my welcome as of yet. :erm:
I'm gonna put the brakes on the reviews for short time - I want to have some discussion going as well and take a small break from doing them so I don't burn myself out. :laff:
A couple questions to start the discussion off:
Does anyone know where the conversation from the beginning of Eye Of Ruthaford came from? I don't recall hearing that one in the original missions unless my memory is just hazy, which is probably the case.
Also: Anyone remember the first fan mission that really hooked them and got them into the fan mission scene? I've been really trying to remember what the first fan mission was that really got me but I'm having trouble coming up with which one it was. I know it must have made quite an impact on me for me to be posting screens and thoughts on them years later! :laff:
Thanks to everyone thats been following this thread so far.
