It’s been in the shadows for way too many years now, but it looks like Thief hero Garrett is finally ready to return to the gaming spotlight. The latest cover of Game Informer revealed that dark stealth game, formerly known as Thi4f, is back on track and is scheduled for a 2014 release across various platforms.
Here’s the summary of the game from that issue, via VG24/7:
Series hero Garrett returns to the Gothic, industrial metropolis known simply as the City to steal any and everything that will make him richer. Unfortunately, the City is broiling with social tension as it is ravaged by a plague and lorded over by a political tyrant known as the Baron. In order to survive his adventures, Garrett will have to pay attention to his environment and make use of the may possible paths through each of the game’s levels.
“We’re handling a precious gemstone with Thief,” Eidos Montreal GM Stephane D’Astous said in a press release.
Fans remember the original games very fondly and we want to preserve that essence – which we have excellent experience of doing at Eidos-Montréal – whilst also introducing Thief to a brand new, next-generation, audience. Our goal is to deliver the fantasy of being Garrett, THE master thief, and we’re building this game around that core experience.
Eidos Montreal has been working on this latest iteration for a while now, and it looks like the reboot (REBOOTS ARE MAGIC) will be hitting next-gen consoles as well. Over on the NeoGAF forums, new details from the GI magazine have also cropped up, revealing that the game is staying very close to the original roots that made it so beloved.
As a thief, Garrett is less Chuck Norris and more Pink Panther, as he is unable to cope with large scale fights, which will force players to use the shadows to their advantage. Enemies are smarter, and will search for Garrett with various methods when alerted. Other features uncovered include:
- Navigation beacons to guide players
- Levels are free to explore with multiple exits and entries
- A “Focus” ability allows players to highlight interactive objects, and this skill can be upgraded to increase effectiveness
- Focus also highlights attack points on enemies, which can be used to shove them away and escape
- Focus also slows down time, giving Garrett more pick-pocketing time
- Supplies and equipment can also be upgraded between stages
- Garrett still possess his trademark bow and magic arrows
- The more supernatural elements of the game have been toned down, as Garrett uses the oppressive dictatorship of his city as an opportunity to get rich
Also, here’s a bunch of screenshots from Russian website Gamemag, ready for you to ogle:
After the success of Dishonored last year, I wouldn’t be too surprised to see Thief take a few cues from that game. Gamers have been begging for a new entry into the franchise, and by the looks and sounds of things, the latest Thief game doesn’t just adopt the darkness of its predecessors, it is born from it.
Last Updated: March 6, 2013
Ry
March 6, 2013 at 12:07
awe…freaking…some! 😀
Twakkie
March 6, 2013 at 12:12
GLORIOUS!!!!
GarethV
March 6, 2013 at 12:15
Screenshots look awesome. I’m really hoping they get Thief 4 right.
Yannic Gallucci
March 6, 2013 at 12:16
Would be awesome if it would just not be another generic stealth game where you end up just kiling anything anyways :3
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
March 6, 2013 at 12:17
*happy dance*
Kagutsuchi
March 6, 2013 at 12:18
I’ve never really gotten into Thief in the past, but this changes things.
Colour me excited!
Twakkie
March 6, 2013 at 12:20
I agree Captain Picard, happy days indeed!
Admiral Chief Erwin
March 6, 2013 at 12:23
Time to get mah ninja on!
Valshen
March 6, 2013 at 12:24
Garrett, come show Corvo how it is done please.
Izzy
March 6, 2013 at 12:26
Hahahaha! Well said, man… well said. This x 1000.
Macethy
March 6, 2013 at 12:28
Sounds cool, can’t wait. The blurb sort of makes it sounds like Dishonored…
Izzy
March 6, 2013 at 12:28
Thus far, this is officially the best news I’ve heard for 2013. Give me more Garrett and I’ll be content. That is all.
Daniel Keevy
March 6, 2013 at 12:30
Please! Please! Please! Don’t mess this one up! Pretty please with sugar on top!
crack2483
March 6, 2013 at 12:38
where does a thief in the middle ages get a composite bow from?
OVG
March 6, 2013 at 12:58
micro transactions :p
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
March 6, 2013 at 13:15
Bwhahahahahahaha
matthurstrsa
March 6, 2013 at 13:05
Man, I spent many hours on Thief. that first level, knocking out the drunk dude. What an epic game.
Tbone187
March 6, 2013 at 13:22
Nice!!! I’m in…
mcyrix
March 6, 2013 at 14:14
Please don’t be another Duke nukem o.O. Please be a good thief like you were lol
Trevor Davies
March 6, 2013 at 14:21
From the header image it looks like Garrett has been replaced by BlackBatArrowMan
Willem Swanepoel
March 6, 2013 at 15:08
It wont be hard to kick Dishonored’s ass with Thief if they do it properly.
The thief series is just >>>> Dishonored already …
Johan Troffel Fourie
March 6, 2013 at 15:44
“whilst also introducing Thief to a brand new, next-generation, audience.” I’m sorry, this will only be Thief in name. I can read between the lines.
Steephill
March 6, 2013 at 16:47
As long as it’s made for PC’s first, and not a port. I’m tired of crappy graphics and bad controls.