Thief Gold, outdated?

theBlackman on 29/1/2008 at 00:40

I have trouble with "out-dated". If the game still has the ability to hold your attention and has replayability, it is immaterial that newer graphics or sound etc, have hit the scene.

Reading may be 'outdated', actually writing a letter with pen, paper and ink, may be "outdated", both of which I consider untrue, if a thing, process, etc. fulfills its intended purpose, it is never outdated.

There may be faster, easier, or more colorful ways to do something, but the item is not outdated, the mentality of the viewer is stilted.

Horny Quintus on 29/1/2008 at 02:35

One aspect of Thief that will never age is the level design, it's peerless. Bafford's and Assassins are similar but enjoyable house burglaries. Cragscleft is incredibly atmospheric and intimidating. Bonehoard feels a bit random when you first play but I came to love it, though I did keep expecting to bump into Lara Croft or Indiana Jones at some point.

Sounds like you've reached Thieves' Guild. If I were you I'd skip this level, it's sprawling and complicated and I don't think it will help you get into the game. This is of course just my opinion but seriously if you're not enjoying it, skip it... The next level is something memorable! IMHO the original TDP levels were the best sequence and the Gold levels are best played on a second run-through.

But back to my original point, I cannot think of a game made since Thief 1 & 2 where each level offers so many interesting new challenges. I've recently played FEAR, HL2, Bioshock - all enjoyable games but there is little variation in gameplay from start to finish. In my most humble opinion Thief is a design masterpiece!

Shadak on 29/1/2008 at 02:38

I see your point theBlackman, but I can't fully agree. It sounds like you might say that candles used for practical lighting is not outdated even though there is a better faster easier way (light bulbs). If something like that is true, then what IS outdated? Nothing? Then the word has no meaning.

But I don't think Thief 1/2 is outdated because even the very newest games usually don't match it's player movement capabilities. (One major acception - Assassin's Creed - holy crap can Altair go where he wants to go, it's a blast!)

Huckeye on 29/1/2008 at 02:53

That candle analogy is a good fit for me. I have electricity and like it really bright most of the time. But nothing beats a dark stormy night where I turn off the lights and light a few candles while playing Thief. Sure, I can play Drake's Fortune with cutting edge visuals and great AI, but most of the time, I chose the warm candle (er, Thief). so in my case, I guess I'm saying, yes, I agree that Thief is outdated, please may I have some more of it. :D

theBlackman on 29/1/2008 at 04:52

Quote Posted by Shadak

I concede that there can be, and frequently are improvements to things. But, when the electricity goes out, as happens often, and you have no lights, no heat or means to cook, then the "Outdated" candles and fireplace are suddenly "In".

My point is that nothing is outdated if it fulfills its function. We are talking about a game. A game that grabbed and holds ones interest even in the face of fancier graphics and other eye-candy.

The game is not "out-dated". The methodology of its engine and graphics may be, but the game itself is not.

I doubt that a remake with the new super-duper stuff would be able to improve on the original, except in eyecandy.

Gadget2006 on 29/1/2008 at 06:28

For me, no Thief game is outdated. I absolutely love the classic Thief games - T1, T1 Gold, and T2, and I also liked the TDS (T3) very much.

Speaking of graphics, of course, you'll find that it can't compete with modern titles anymore - it's obvious. But its atmosphere is very unique, so that after playing for a small while you simply forget about the graphics.

It also kind of depends on you, too. Like, some people I know can no longer play old games because they think that their dated graphics ruins the atmosphere. For instance, I can still replay Final Fantasy 6 on SNES, and that's a 1994 game (fourteen years old!), and I still feel the atmosphere. One of my friends can't do something like this - he says old games look "ugly". :(

The situation is similar with Thief, mostly - it's not as old as that, but it still shows its age of course (graphics-wise). However, I highly recommend you to try out this game (Thief Gold) and see for yourself. If you're like me and if you don't expect movie-quality graphics out of every game, you'll be amazed by the unique setting, atmosphere, and gameplay, and you're sure to keep playing for a good while. ;)

Melan on 29/1/2008 at 06:43

Technology ages, art and fine wine matures. Although there is an allure to vintage technology as well, in places where it crosses from practicality into aesthetics (so we value candles for their beautiful lights instead of a source of light). ;)

Brian T on 1/2/2008 at 17:09

Quote Posted by Melan

Good point. When I first played Thief in January 2000 I thought the graphics were amazing. I have to admit right now that I haven't actually updated my PC since about 2002. I (foolishly, I think) bought one of those pre assembeled models from Packard Bell, which make upgrading extremely difficult. I don't really play as many computer games as I used to, and I'm no longer subject to any kind of peer pressure in playing the latest "coolest" games, so I mostly play games from about the 1997-2002 time period.

Of course when I see more recent games I'm like "Oh yeah, nice enough graphics I suppose" You can only be impressed by fancy graphics to a certain extent before the novelty wears off, you can't always be going "OMG would you look at that?!" Nothing I've seen lately has ever made me want to rush out and breathlessly want to play the latetst games. My quota of "wow factor" for graphics has largely been used up now.

Now when I look at Thief it's a kind of strange mix of admiration for what technology can achieve and sort of nostalgic retro charm. Thief came out in a really dynamic time for video games, and it's maybe partly natural for a long term player to get a nostalgic twinge when seeing those Bafford Manor wall hangings or Bonehoard statues. Computer games are more art than science, and if I may indulge in bit of pretentiousness, the Impressionist painters at first glance look terribly crude and unfinished compared to most earlier artists. But their whole point was about conveying a "sense", an impression of being there, rather than photo- realism.

On the other hand sound is largely what made Thief 1& 2 great rather than very good, and it's harder to improve upon that more subtle area.

In the end Thiefs graphics are adequate enough for me. "Age shall not wither it!"

Edit: Yeah I agree, skip Thieve's Guild. It sucks. :D

nickie on 1/2/2008 at 17:49

Quote Posted by Melan

(so we value candles for their beautiful lights instead of a source of light). ;)

Some of us more mature types value candles because they are definitely kinder than electric lights. :D

Apologies for not contributing to the discussion properly - my gaming experience is somewhat limited. I haven't found anything I like as much as Thief.

TheGrimSmile on 25/2/2008 at 01:55

Outdated? Depends on what you mean.

It's old, I agree, but if you are playing a zombie level in the dark, it can scare you still. The AI are *cough blind deaf and numb in the body* somewhat poor, it's still fun. I find it better to think more about the story than the gameplay :p

Plus, as far as I have seen, Thief is a very original game.