Levels to get people hooked.

vincentlancon on 2/3/2021 at 19:21

What 3 levels would you guys suggest that you would show someone not in to thief/2 FMs as an example of why they should give it a try? What are your top 3 so called "gateway drugs" in to thief/2 FMs?
I am going to say Rose Cottage by Saturnine for the excellent theme , Nosferatu by Sensut because it is just plain fun , and Behind Closed Door by nicked because of how the level gradually unfolds... Just curious to hear what you guys think would be good introductory levels.

fortuni on 2/3/2021 at 19:30

Acid House :ebil:

Being sensible how about a few older ones
Dark Messiah
Raid on Washout Central
Heist Society

trefoilknot on 2/3/2021 at 20:24

It really depends on their pre-existing skill set and tastes. Are they solid with FPS mechanics already? Do they like intense action? Or a more cerebral experience? Do they play a lot of old-school/retro games? Do they prefer more modern-looking graphics?

I've used Temple of the Tides for this purpose, but that was always for people who: (1) weren't already skilled with FPS games; and (2) were into puzzles but not action. I've also tried Broken Triad and Ominous Bequest, but those turned out to be incredibly intimidating introductions.

I'd recommend you start small. Give them something they can beat in under an hour, especially if you're not there to guide them through (I've always introduced people to Thief FMs in-person). Once they're hooked (fingers crossed), they'll have the patience for a big multi-hour mission, but until then I think it would just be frustrating. Nosferatu and Rose Cottage are both fun for experienced Thief players, but I can't imagine enjoying either of them as a first go. They're not very player friendly (lots of locked doors, hard to progress at first) so are perhaps better saved for later on.

Some of the recent contest missions could be good starting points. Midsummer Night's Heist is a pretty quick/simple mission, but very beautiful. And it's very pure "Thief."

Twist on 2/3/2021 at 20:58

I had an idea for a contest where authors would be challenged to create a new "demo" mission. That is: create a short mission where you introduce and/or teach an inexperienced Thief player to understand and appreciate Thief. The idea of the "demo" is just to think of it as something people might try before even buying the game, but I don't literally mean a demo. The aim would be to try to sell Thief to someone who doesn't already love it.

But to answer more directly, I agree with everything trefoilknot said. I would pick a mission that wouldn't overwhelm the player and would have some distinct aesthetic appeal. So it should be relatively short and accessible, and it should be especially atmospheric or visually appealing.

I actually think A Midsummer Night's Heist is an excellent choice. It's a highly polished, broadly appealing mission with great looks. But shorter, simpler missions might work even better. I definitely wouldn't use something like Rose Cottage for a first-time player.

I'd be careful to avoid missions in very specific genres, like undead missions, for example. Even some very experienced Thief players don't like those kinds of missions and you don't yet know if this new player would grow into one of those undead-hating Thief fans someday.

It's an interesting exercise because you have to put aside your own preferences and biases and try to think how someone completely unfamiliar with everything you've experienced would perceive Thief's world and mechanics. (Hence why I also think it could be an interesting challenge for a contest.)

Azaran on 2/3/2021 at 21:16

Ink and dust, Calendra's Cistern, Ruins of Originia

trefoilknot on 2/3/2021 at 21:25

Quote Posted by Azaran

Ink and dust, Calendra's Cistern, Ruins of Originia

These are joke suggestions, I hope?

Twist on 2/3/2021 at 21:27

Ha! I was wondering the same thing... you're joking, Azaran... right?

fortuni on 2/3/2021 at 21:38

Calendra's Cistern is a great intro FM, I nearly suggested it myself but the request was for T2 missions (I think).

Esse on 2/3/2021 at 21:53

I find these missions would be good as intro levels to a Thief newbie:

- Up In the Bonehoard: A reimagining of the Bonehoard level as a skywards-spiraling, puzzle-laden tomb. It's great for people who like platforming and riddles, but it may be heavy for a more casual player. In that regard, I'd suggest instead -

- Mech Angelo: What can I say about this mission? It's fun, it's short, and it has some interesting and funny moments and enemies. A definite Sunday-afternoon-playthrough kind of mission, and light enough to give people a sample of Thief's stealth mechanics without demanding too much.

- Any of the Short FMs In General: I know the thread asked for Top Three missions, but honestly? Any of the short FMs could give you what you're looking for. Look for something that a newbie might be able to finish in an hour or two. Pick from a number of mission genres the ones you find interesting (a good list is (https://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144797) here), and then show them to the hypothetical taffer-to-be. With any luck, something that gives them that little taste of Thief will hook them in.

vincentlancon on 2/3/2021 at 22:00

Mech Angelo was probably the first New Dark level I played and was impressed by the leap....

Quote Posted by Esse