The Phantom on 18/5/2006 at 13:05
This was one of the first fanmissions released for Thief 2.
Now that I played it again I can say it's still a very fun fanmission.
Admitted, I found it no longer as impressive as it was when I first played it (flawed graphics for example).
But even these days, when fanmissions have made a big jump forward, it can compete very well with today's standards.
It shows that this is a classic and not to be missed by anyone who enjoyes Thief 2.
The strongest point of Willow Island to me is the way how to the story progresses.
The Acts messages, that appear when you enter a new part of the mission, is very special and never seen in any other mission.
Compliments for those :thumb:, it feels like playing a campaign. And the soundtrack that can be heard when the next act is started, adds a lot to the atmosphere and feel of the mission.
Another thing I like are the three religions (Hammers, Pagans and Mechanists) living on the island, every one having their own environment, architecture and stories.
It's interesting to read about how the hammers and mechanists deal with eachother, the pagans are caught between them, and how some of them escaped imprisonment.
Freeing the pagan girl, and leading her back to the others, was fun. Pity that it didn't resulted in a bonus objective ;) .
Other things worth mentioning are the car ride through the mine, some original items (hammer lockpick, message from bottle), and the detailled instruction how to Hammer your opponent :cheeky:.
Gonchong, of all the missions you made this is one of my favorites. Willow Island is second, after Ill Repute :thumb:
It's great to see that you're still around after so many years.
Statistics
Difficulty: Expert
Time Taken: 1 hr 23 min 19 sec
Loot found: 6736 out of 6916
Secrets found: 3 out of 3
I've read that Willow Island is part of a series. Hammerhead was the first part, Willow Island the second, and I believe the turtle on it's Back is the last, right?
demagogue on 18/5/2006 at 19:56
That's the order they were released... Kind of ends on a cliffhanger, though, doesn't it?
While Willow Island is quite good, my favorite Gonchong FM has to be Of Ill Repute. I mean, come on ... what's not to love about it?
The Phantom on 20/5/2006 at 12:58
I didn't knew Gonchong made Ill Repute. In that case I have to change what I wrote earlier :)
Gonchong on 23/5/2006 at 07:48
The first in the series was "The Docks" (T1/T2), though there isn't much link plotwise. The docks had references to "Shunned" also. In fact they all reference each other a little.
More recently, I co-built "Down among dead men" in T2X, as well as the aforementioned "Ill Repute".
"Special Vintage" (T3) was slipped out under the radar as well, though this was more of a T3 editing test than anything.
I'm currently working on Half Life 2 stuff.
bobber on 27/2/2008 at 22:58
What a great little mission to replay while waiting for some new FM's. If you haven't played it you really should!
Spyrano on 27/2/2008 at 23:45
Funny you should mention that. I just replayed this mission 2 days ago and was thinking the same thing.
Schwaa2 on 28/2/2008 at 00:21
Deffinately worth playing if you haven't. This was one of my favs back in the day, been awhile but I think I'd still enjoy it. I still remeber the mine car ride.
marker98 on 14/3/2009 at 19:26
Hammer lockpick...Never mind, I found it.
bikerdude on 14/3/2009 at 21:08
I havent played this before and I see if has fog - so i can try oput ati tray tools fog fix on my GTX280
*Zaccheus* on 16/8/2009 at 17:25
Just completed this on expert, very fun mission, loved the mining carts!
