BrokenArts on 25/12/2009 at 16:04
One point not mentioned, its the sound, the ambients, those voices.
Melan on 25/12/2009 at 16:11
Thanks for the insight.
Quote Posted by ZylonBane
Too clean.
No steampunk.
Point. Will work on that (in future missions, mind you).
[edit]Someone with a talent for that should look into developing a selection of new TDM objects in the following categories:
1) Rusted machinery, tanks, electronic gizmos, pressure valves and such
2) Gothic/Renaissance style furniture and objects
3) Everything that looks worn, grime-encrusted, poor and in ill repair
There are some of these available, but more would surely be welcome by mission designers.
[/edit]
Beleg Cúthalion on 25/12/2009 at 21:01
The "thievy" atmosphere would be very superficial if a lack of typical steampunk accessories could ruin it. I mean, not every scenery in TDP/TMA shouts that out and still is more or less immersive.
Melan on 25/12/2009 at 22:05
Whatever, let's forget it.
witherflower on 26/12/2009 at 11:38
I think the characters of T1/T2 have a lot to say. I mean they're kinda caricated in their movements etc. It's sort of like watching a stage play vs. watching a movie. And it doesen't matter, because the game world and the story are so immersive. It's like: That's just how people are here.
I think It would be more of a disapointment in TDS (a more detailed and natural looking world) if people rose out of bed as if they were vampires and stood in their beds looking around for intruders. And never went back sleep. And that's where my imagination fills in the gaps thinking this guy's a real wimp- he doesen't dear put his feet on the floor. And really doesen't want to go back to sleep because he is scared s***less.
I played a little TDS last night and, is it me, or does it look a little too warm and cozy?
Kurshok_Warrior on 26/12/2009 at 17:12
Quote Posted by witherflower
However, it still left me wondering where that thief atmosphere had gone. And I just can't put my finger on what it is.
It didn't go anywhere. The Thief atmosphere was never there since TDM is
not Thief. It had to be recreated as approximately as possible without stepping on Eidos' toes, so if it doesn't feel like Thief to you it's probably down to some minor quibble like TDM using a completely different game engine or totally different voice artists with different dialogue, new characters/no Thief characters, different locations etc etc.
witherflower on 26/12/2009 at 19:23
Quote Posted by Kurshok_Warrior
It didn't go anywhere. The Thief atmosphere was never there since TDM is
not Thief. It had to be recreated as approximately as possible without stepping on Eidos' toes, so if it doesn't feel like Thief to you it's probably down to some minor quibble like TDM using a completely different game engine or totally different voice artists with different dialogue, new characters/no Thief characters, different locations etc etc.
Those are facts I'm well aware of. I was simply trying to find the X-factor that, to me, still only can be found in the originals from LGS (and also their respective FMs). But, as many have put it... it could be any number of things. And, just to make it absolutly clear: I think TDM is a great piece of work. I'm in awe of what they've managed to accomplish. And I'm hoping for many TDM FMs to play.
ZylonBane on 26/12/2009 at 20:10
Quote Posted by Melan
Thanks for the insight.
Point. Will work on that (in future missions, mind you).
To expand on "Too clean; no steampunk"--
With the added fidelity of a modern(ish) game engine, the imagination is asked to fill in for less, so mapping that would have been perfectly acceptable in the Dark Engine ends up looking sparse and barren. For example, in the screenshots above, those areas would be greatly helped by some debris in the street and weeds growing up through the cobblestones. Also, the contrast with Thief's photo-sourced textures is dramatic. The brickwork in TDM has a sterile, artifical look to it. All the shiny bump mapping makes the stones look like they're made of plastic.
As for the steampunk, there is no magic or anachronistic technology visible in those shots... they could be from any random generic medieval FPS. There are no visible pipes, power lines, switches, manhole covers, steaming vents, or mysterious sparkly things.
Springheel on 27/12/2009 at 15:48
It depends on what you think the "Thiefy" feel is. To me, there have been moments in TDM where it has felt VERY Thiefy. More "Thief" than TDS did.
It's a very subjective thing, obviously. I can't think of a single "remake" that hasn't suffered from people complaining it didn't capture the magic of the original. I tend to think it's because the "magic" is in the mind of the beholder.
Somebody_Else on 28/12/2009 at 05:18
This reminds me of the (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_Valley) Uncanny Valley hypothesis regarding robots. Basically, the more lifelike a robot is the more likely people are to be revolted by it.
I suspect something similar applies to gaming. Sure, the shadows and textures in the Dark Mod are leaps and bounds ahead of what you can see in Thief I & II, but your brain notices that it doesn't look quite right. Rather than filling in the details of the scene with your imagination you get a sense that something is off, ruining the experience.
