eric on 21/11/2014 at 20:28

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11/21

Hey folks,

Completing my newbie trial-by-fire of Thief I, II & T2X for the first time in my life (beginning a month or so ago, completed last week) I am now playing Deadly Shadows for the 1st time ever.
Initial thoughts...and one initial question...the question first..

1. Am I using the map correctly?...because whenever I bring it up, I do not see where I am on it?
I'm at the stealing-the-chalice-in-the-church level, so I've seen a handful of maps now.
What I typically see are a few buildings noted (not always)...the sewer level being an example.
A compass...which is helpful only when clues actually tell you 'something is to the east' or whatever.
and often symbols...but even that's vague because you might see 2 key symbols, but its not clear what they are...the start...the goal...the end...something to avoid...?

So in essence, I find the map minimally useful...and maps are a key part of games...without the ability to see where you are on it.
Is that just me, or do others feel similar?
...or am I missing something...is there a way to see where you are anytime you bring up a map?

Thoughts con:
I miss the rope arrow (or vine arrow)
I wish I could stop using a key mechanism mid-function when I hear an enemy coming

Thoughts pro:
Still a great game (gameplay I should say)
As good or better dialogue
cool graphics...very evocative...
I love putting out lights
better (once you get used to it) key-lock graphics
if you DO choose to battle, its more functional to do so

Thoughts neither pro-or-con:
The maps are smaller...by a long shot
Regardless, takes me as long to complete a level
Too early in game to say the proverbial 'which-is-the-best'...
...but I sense it'll be (for me) Thief The Metal Project
For me...if you're in an old school sort of mood, then BE old skool!
Thru no fault of its own, as the graphics in industry evolve, being totally old school maintains its charm...but being new-ISH,but outdated will still feel outdated...

Put into another perspective, an old NOIR film like Kiss Me Deadly rocks!...but going to an Eliot Gould movie will feel awkward.

Hey...I still love playing this game...and finishing a level still gives me a thrill, as its all so new to me.

eric

User 205 on 21/11/2014 at 21:20

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You are using the maps correctly, you don´t see your position on them. Don´t worry, I also got lost sometimes in the game :joke:

You probably have noticed yet, but DS has some great enemy AI, try to steal something in front of their eyes and they will notice it :sly:

Beleg Cúthalion on 22/11/2014 at 07:33

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"Taffer" has something like an in-game etymology; for now you best consider it a peculiarity of the game's universe.

For the Sneaky Upgrade/Thief 3 Gold, some further reading: (http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138607)

snobel on 23/11/2014 at 14:30

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Also, hitting frob again should cancel lockpicking - doesn't that work for you?

eric on 23/11/2014 at 20:44

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Eric, here

thank you all, to your replies to my missive of 11/21 eve.
I'm not the least bit frustrated...I like this game very much (not as much as TI & II...yet...)

Specific in re(s):-

to dj riff:
I had no idea I could use the creep key while lock picking.
now THAT's next on my list!
I do not know what you mean when you say "spam the attack key"
What does SPAM mean (in this context?)

to snobel:
I do not know what you mean when you say "hitting frob "
What does frob mean?

To Red breast:
I realize T3GOLD is fan -based...at least I do NOW, Hah!
My plan, at present, is to wait till the next (or 2nd) time I play this game, where-in hopefully it'll be at a further beta.
I've played TI, TII, & T2X once...and as my ridiculously prosaic commentary under the post 'playing THIEF GOLD for the 1st time!' attests to...those games are MUCH loved, even after one play through only, last month no less (so I'm late to the party!), and will all be played again.

For now, I've just entered Day4, and i don't' want to screw up saves or other aspects.

to all:
1. I'm still not clear as to whether T3GoLd adds levels, extends existing levels, opens up prior unreachable areas of old levels (i LOVE when fan-based add-ons do that!) or what?
I read the TIII Gold link referenced above ( (http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138607) )
where all the features are listed I do not see what I would think would be listed as a top-line feature, new or different maps?...but I Do see the cryptic phrase 'merged original missions...which would imply there are new levels?
Mighty curious...
2. In the intro mission to the game it tells one how to wall hug...it obviously isn't a crucial function as I'm at level 4 without once using it, but now I want to try it for fun, and can't see its 'key' listed under the controls.
Can someone remind me which key is wall-hugging?
3. The look and feel of this game remind me very much of the 2nd Deus Ex (Invisible War)
I've tried 3 times to get past the beginning levels of the 2nd Deus Ex (Invisible War) and gave up each & every time; it wasn't that the look of that particular engine bothered me (similar look to Thief III, but Thief III is better)...it was the annoying, literally every minute pop-ups of commentary as to tasks that were not deftly integrated into the game- I was constantly taken-out of its atmosphere with those pauses...it was impossible to achieve any sense-of-wonder with all those pop-up breaks...
Sad...because I LOVE the original Deus Ex, I loved 2 of its fan add-ons (Nameless Mod & Zodiac),and of course the current Deus Ex III (Human Revolution) is a superb game.

Eric