Thief: Deadly Shadows

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,814 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Thief: Deadly Shadows Game Cover
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Thief: Deadly Shadows is a stealth-based game where you play as Garrett, a master thief in a dark and mystical city. Sneak past guards, avoid detection, and steal valuable objects while completing missions. The game features both linear and open-ended levels, allowing for a variety of approaches to achieve your objectives.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,814 reviews
story412 positive mentions
stability144 negative mentions
  • The game has a captivating atmosphere and excellent sound design, making it immersive and engaging.
  • The Shalebridge Cradle level is considered one of the scariest and most memorable levels in gaming history.
  • The gameplay allows for multiple approaches to missions, encouraging exploration and creativity.
  • The game is plagued by bugs, including a lockpicking bug that can prevent players from progressing past the tutorial.
  • The controls feel clunky and unresponsive, making movement and interactions frustrating.
  • The level design is smaller and more linear compared to the previous games, with frequent loading screens that disrupt immersion.
  • story1,300 mentions

    The story of "Thief: Deadly Shadows" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative and character development, particularly as it concludes Garrett's journey from the previous games. The game introduces a hub world that allows for exploration and side quests, adding depth to the storytelling, although some players found this structure less compelling than the more linear missions of earlier titles. Notably, the infamous "Shalebridge Cradle" mission is highlighted as a standout moment, showcasing the game's atmospheric storytelling and horror elements.

    • “Moreover, the story is engaging, filled with twists and turns that keep you invested.”
    • “The story unfolds gradually through intricately designed cutscenes and in-game dialogues, immersing players even more in a world filled with political intrigue, intertwining Garrett's personal journey with the larger conflicts within the city.”
    • “The story is interesting, the difficulty gradually gets higher as the game goes and the level design is just wonderful.”
    • “I only recommend it if you're already a fan of the first two games, wish to experience the story's conclusion, and have a very, very high tolerance for bullsh*t.”
    • “The story... kinda don't care for and also not cohesive to the character overall.”
    • “The story overall is disappointing, I was expecting something bigger compared to the previous games.”
  • gameplay596 mentions

    The gameplay of "Thief: Deadly Shadows" is a mixed bag, with many players praising its immersive stealth mechanics and atmospheric level design, which continue the series' legacy. However, numerous technical issues, such as clunky controls, inconsistent interaction mechanics, and bugs, detract from the overall experience, leading some to feel it falls short compared to its predecessors. Despite these flaws, the game still offers engaging gameplay and a captivating story, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of stealth games.

    • “The game also introduces a day-night cycle, which adds a dynamic layer to gameplay.”
    • “Whether you're a newcomer to the series or a long-time fan, this game offers hours of engaging gameplay, a rich atmosphere, and a captivating story.”
    • “Like the other two Thief games before it, Thief: Deadly Shadows is a masterclass in stealth gaming, delivering an immersive experience that combines innovative gameplay, intricate level design, and a captivating narrative.”
    • “This game's movement and interaction mechanics are some of the worst I have ever encountered in a major release, to the point that they could reasonably be described as broken.”
    • “However, from a gameplay perspective, Deadly Shadows feels inferior to its predecessors in nearly every way.”
    • “Lock-pick bug: the playable character's interaction with certain objects is inconsistent, impacting the intended gameplay.”
  • graphics430 mentions

    The graphics of "Thief: Deadly Shadows" are often described as dated but still impressive for a game released in 2004, showcasing a unique gothic and steampunk art style that enhances the atmosphere. Many players recommend using the "Sneaky Upgrade" mod to improve textures and resolution, which significantly enhances the visual experience. While some find the graphics lacking compared to modern standards, they appreciate the game's immersive environments and engaging story, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the stealth genre.

    • “The art style is stunning, with a unique blend of gothic and steampunk aesthetics that brings the city of Cragscleft to life.”
    • “For its time, Thief 3 boasted impressive graphics for the mid-2000s, leaning toward a dark, gritty aesthetic which perfectly aligns with the stealth-centric narrative and game design.”
    • “The evolving hub world really grows on you as you creep through the game's story, and the visuals offer a pretty compelling atmosphere.”
    • “I do think that to most contemporary players, the graphics still might seem dated, with low-resolution textures and character models.”
    • “The graphics are dated and natively only 4:5 monitor formats are supported (no 16:9 or 16:10), but the story and sound are still better than most current adventure games out today.”
    • “The graphics are ugly, the level design is terrible, the loading screens are frequent, the voice acting is terrible, the cut scenes are laughable and mechanics that were previously fun (e.g. rope arrows) have been removed.”
  • atmosphere358 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Thief: Deadly Shadows" is widely praised for its immersive and darkly captivating design, effectively blending elements of horror and stealth. Players appreciate the game's rich sound design, haunting musical score, and detailed environments that create a sense of tension and intrigue, particularly in standout levels like the Shalebridge Cradle. Despite some criticisms regarding its technical execution and comparisons to earlier titles, the game's atmosphere remains a defining feature that continues to resonate with both new and returning players.

    • “Playing as Garrett, the master thief, players are immediately immersed in a dark and atmospheric world filled with intriguing characters and complex narratives.”
    • “The sound design also deserves praise; the ambient sounds, combined with the haunting musical score, create an incredible atmosphere that enhances the immersive experience.”
    • “The atmosphere achieved in this game is incredible and something that few games since even come close to despite advances in technology.”
    • “Cramped, nearly linear maps with loading screens shoved through the middle, with none of the sense of place or grandiose atmosphere of the older titles.”
    • “It had some decent atmosphere I'll admit, but its claustrophobic halls can't compare to the sprawling lonely expanses of the Bonehoard or Haunted Cathedral from The Dark Project, which truly felt like forsaken places where you were utterly alone and vulnerable.”
    • “Thus far, about four missions in, I would say that it is still fun and shares commonalities with the first two, but you can start to see the beginnings of where the series would go ten years later if you look closely, and it lacks some of the unnerving atmosphere of the first two games, which can be attributed to some good writing, a lot of obscurity within the world building, and the dark engine, among other things.”
  • stability148 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of severe bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players note that it is nearly unplayable on modern systems without extensive patches or mods, and common issues include freezing during key interactions and erratic character movement. While some find enjoyment in the game despite these technical flaws, the overwhelming consensus is that its stability issues make it difficult to recommend.

    • “This is an excellent sneak & loot game; despite having read lots of posts about how this doesn't work on Windows 7, I found no glitches at all.”
    • “If you loved the first two games and are itching for more thieving adventures, give it a go. It's a little different from the first two, but I like the change in dynamics. Just search for the sneaky upgrade patch so you can play bug-free.”
    • “The problem is that it sucks from a technical standpoint: it's just buggy, and very clunky to play.”
    • “Okay so the game is unplayable on modern computers because it causes so many glitches and ladders, lockpicks, movement can break due to the game running well.”
    • “Awful bug ridden port that feels like a chore to play after just a few hours.”
  • music98 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, significantly enhancing the immersive experience. Composed by Eric Brosius, the soundtrack is described as a perfect blend of ambient sounds and evocative melodies that complement the game's dark themes and level design, earning it a perfect score from many reviewers. Overall, the sound design, including ambient noises and audio cues, is praised for creating a deeply engaging atmosphere that stands out in the series.

    • “The sound design also deserves praise; the ambient sounds, combined with the haunting musical score, create an incredible atmosphere that enhances the immersive experience.”
    • “The music, ambiance, and overall atmosphere of this game is the best in the series in my opinion.”
    • “The soundtrack for this game was absolutely amazing in every aspect for me; I was spooked by every note in every step I took, walking ever so softly, sneaking past dangers the game offers.”
    • “The fighting mechanics were all but nonexistent, the plot seemed terribly dull, the environment was dull, the music was dull, and the lock mini-games were pointless; lockpicking didn't provide any risk or challenge - as in the Elder Scrolls, for example - but rather it was just moving the mouse around and drifting half asleep.”
    • “The music is still atmospheric and haunting, you still hear guards and enemies speaking and grunting which adds perfectly to the atmosphere.”
    • “The music and haunting children's screams, the electricity, the flickering lights, the former lobotomized patients, the ghosts in the past.”
  • humor68 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting the funny dialogue, hilarious NPC interactions, and amusing gameplay mechanics that create comedic scenarios. The character Garrett, voiced by Stephen Russell, adds to the humor with his witty remarks, while the game's quirky elements, such as slipping enemies and oddball chatter, contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere. Overall, the humor effectively balances the game's darker themes, making it an enjoyable experience for fans of the series.

    • “The dialogue of the characters was incredibly funny and some situations had me in stitches.”
    • “Garrett is still hilarious and still voiced by Stephen Russell (I'm looking at you 'Thief' 4).”
    • “The overall banter from everyone as you do your thing is very funny.”
  • optimization42 mentions

    The optimization of "Thief: Deadly Shadows" has received significant criticism, with many players reporting technical issues, performance problems, and bugs, particularly on modern systems. While some users have found success with fan-made mods that enhance performance, the game is generally considered poorly optimized for current hardware, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. Overall, while the game has its merits, potential players should be aware of its optimization challenges.

    • “From what I hear, there are tons of Thief mods, most of them are just a bunch of great custom levels, and some offer a bit of performance improvements.”
    • “Performance-wise though, there were very few issues with the Steam version.”
    • “This game was optimized for Windows XP, so it takes some work to get it running smoothly on Windows Vista/7, etc. But with the fan-made patches and the right tweaks, it's a blast and still one of the best fantasy FPS type games out.”
    • “Upon release, Deadly Shadows faced criticism for technical issues, including performance problems and occasional bugs.”
    • “There is a door that cannot be opened because the game isn't optimized for current operating systems.”
    • “Firstly, the game is terribly optimized with a horrible engine.”
  • grinding32 mentions

    The reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium associated with grinding in the game, particularly in navigating the city and completing stealth segments. Players frequently mention the repetitive nature of tasks, such as backtracking and searching for loot, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and pacing of the gameplay. While some aspects of exploration are appreciated, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding elements become frustrating and monotonous over time.

    • “Each of the city districts are mostly-linear loops that are maybe three blocks across and full of continually-respawning guards, making a basic trip down to the pawn shop a tedious mini-heist.”
    • “Pointless difficulty system; does not add more objectives, just find more loot; super tedious trying to find 100% loot on each level.”
    • “This quickly became one of the most tedious and frustrating levels in the game.”
  • replayability16 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability due to its rich lore, interactive world, and the ability to modify gameplay through mods, enhancing graphics and AI. While it is shorter than previous entries in the series, it still provides a longer experience compared to typical first-person shooters, with plenty of loot and engaging levels that encourage multiple playthroughs. Overall, players find the replay value satisfying, with a mix of atmosphere, tension, and humor contributing to the experience.

    • “The lore is rich, you can rob your neighbors/landlord and the world is very interactive as well as the game itself being quite replayable.”
    • “It is noticeably shorter than previous Thief entries, but it’s very replayable, and is still much longer than the average first-person shooter or stealth title.”
    • “There's a ton of loot to be found, which gives the game good replay value.”
    • “Content/replayability: 6.5/10”
    • “Atmopshere, tension, a story that keeps you hooked, replayability and many laugh out loud moments!”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players express frustration with unclear mechanics that detract from the emotional immersion of feeling like a skilled thief. The challenge of interacting with the environment and NPCs can lead to a sense of disconnection from the game's intended emotional experience, contrasting with the enjoyment found in previous titles.

    • “I loved sprinting around and mantling onto things in the first two games; it's what made me feel like a master thief.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Many users express frustration with the current state of monetization in gaming, labeling numerous titles, including AAA games, as cash grabs that prioritize hype and graphics over quality gameplay, particularly targeting casual gamers.

    • “It's a sad shame that so many games coming out are garbage, even so-called AAA titles, cash grabs using hype and graphics to win over casual gamers.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Thief: Deadly Shadows

Play time

27hMedian play time
24hAverage play time
17hMain story
28hCompletionist
17-42hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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