Thief II: The Metal Age

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,543 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Thief II: The Metal Age Game Cover
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Thief II: The Metal Age is a stealth-based video game where players assume the role of Garrett, a master thief, in a Victorian-inspired steampunk world. The game focuses on completing missions that require stealing valuable objects, avoiding detection, careerscrafting, and making strategic decisions while dealing with the Metal Age revolution. This sequel builds upon its predecessor by introducing new gadgets, characters, and a more intricate storyline.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,543 reviews
story376 positive mentions
grinding34 negative mentions
  • Thief 2 is a fantastic sequel that improves upon the original with better level design, more varied objectives, and a greater focus on stealth gameplay.
  • The game features an immersive atmosphere, excellent sound design, and a gripping story that unfolds through exploration and NPC interactions.
  • The level design is expansive and allows for multiple approaches to objectives, rewarding players for exploration and creativity.
  • The graphics are dated, which may deter some players, and the AI can be inconsistent, leading to moments of frustration.
  • Some levels, particularly towards the end, feel tedious and less engaging, with a few missions being repetitive or poorly designed.
  • The game can be overly dark at times, making it difficult to navigate without adjusting brightness settings or using community patches.
  • story1,414 mentions

    The story of "Thief II: The Metal Age" is generally regarded as an engaging continuation of the first game's narrative, featuring a deeper plot that intertwines political intrigue and technological themes. While some players find the story less cohesive and more disjointed than its predecessor, many appreciate the character development of Garrett and the atmospheric worldbuilding that enhances the gameplay experience. However, the final missions are often criticized for feeling rushed or tedious, detracting from the overall narrative satisfaction.

    • “As a sequel to the groundbreaking Thief: The Dark Project, this game elevates the stealth genre with its rich storytelling, intricate level design, and immersive atmosphere.”
    • “Moreover, the narrative woven throughout the game is engaging, with a mix of political intrigue and supernatural elements that keeps you invested in Garrett’s story.”
    • “The story had me completely invested all the way to the very end, and the mission's objectives dynamically changing as you learn of new things to do or of changing circumstances of the mission was an excellent gameplay and story feature, highlighting the risks you take as a thief and testing your ability to think of solutions to a problem on the fly.”
    • “Without delving into spoilers, I found it to be somewhat of a letdown in comparison to the rest of the meticulously crafted missions.”
    • “The story does feel very slightly disjointed, as it was in fact put together after the fact as a way to string together a bunch of cool levels the developers had made.”
    • “Sadly the plot is beyond moronic, with the excellent protagonist Garrett totally wasted yet again on a story that doesn't feel realistic for his character.”
  • gameplay796 mentions

    The gameplay of Thief 2: The Metal Age retains the core mechanics of its predecessor while introducing new items and refined stealth mechanics that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the game's emphasis on strategic gameplay, allowing for multiple approaches to objectives, and the atmospheric level design that immerses them in a richly detailed world. Despite some dated graphics and occasional clunky mechanics, the game is celebrated for its innovative approach to stealth, making it a timeless classic in the genre.

    • “The core gameplay remains true to the original, retaining what made Thief special but with slight improvements that enhance the experience.”
    • “The addition of various gadgets, such as the rope arrows and gas arrows, not only enriches the gameplay but also enhances the player’s strategic options.”
    • “From innovative gameplay mechanics, atmospheric world-building, and compelling narrative, this is truly an essential experience for anyone seeking to experience some of the most immersive stealth gaming of all time.”
    • “It was a wonderful display of how flawed the jumping and grabbing mechanics can be in certain situations and how it has the potential to make you want to stop playing altogether.”
    • “You can't do higher resolutions, the mechanics are clunky and my arrows kept hitting the edges of things; once a guard sees you, there seems to be no way to return to stealth.”
    • “The movement mechanics are very janky.”
  • graphics480 mentions

    The graphics of "Thief II: The Metal Age" are widely regarded as dated, with many reviewers noting that they show their age compared to modern standards. While some players find the visuals charming and atmospheric, others criticize them as primitive and lacking detail, often recommending the use of mods to enhance the experience. Despite the graphical shortcomings, the game's immersive gameplay and strong sound design are frequently highlighted as compensating factors, making it a classic in the stealth genre.

    • “The game's visuals, while showing their age, possess a distinct charm that adds to the overall experience.”
    • “While the graphics are dated, the dynamic light system and the sound propagation engine create the most realistic, immersive experience you will ever have in a stealth game.”
    • “If you can get past the dated graphics, you just might love this gem of a title.”
    • “The graphics are awful - 800 x 600 max res!”
    • “The graphics are garbage.”
    • “The graphics are rough and it definitely lacks the conveniences of modern games.”
  • atmosphere306 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Thief 2" is widely praised for its immersive and richly detailed environments, combining elements of steampunk and dark fantasy to create a captivating experience. While some players feel it lacks the horror elements of its predecessor, many appreciate the game's intricate level design, excellent soundscapes, and the overall tension that enhances the stealth gameplay. Despite dated graphics, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of the stealth genre.

    • “From the moment you step into the shadows as Garrett, the master thief, you are greeted by beautifully designed levels that are rich in detail and atmosphere.”
    • “The score perfectly complements the game's gloomy atmosphere, enhancing the sense of immersion.”
    • “Thief 2 features excellent stealth gameplay, incredible atmosphere, large & explorable levels, and a main villain that you will thoroughly love to hate.”
    • “The atmosphere is considerably inferior because of the modern-looking architecture of most levels and how they toned down the paranormal elements of the first game.”
    • “This game was good, although it lacks the same atmosphere the game captured in Thief 1, mainly due to the annoying voice of Karras that seriously made me irritated for most of the time I encountered the dialogues, and that's the reason I won't most likely play this again for a long time.”
    • “Although this sequel lost its spooky atmosphere at the beginning, whereas monsters were always present since and throughout the first installment.”
  • music100 mentions

    The music in the game has received high praise for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the eerie and industrial soundscapes that enhance the overall tension and mood. While some players noted a lack of traditional musical elements, the ambient sound design and subtle audio cues effectively contribute to the game's unsettling atmosphere. Eric Brosius's soundtrack is particularly celebrated, with many considering it essential to the game's experience, making it a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.

    • “The music makes every moment worthwhile and can add so much tension...”
    • “Thief 2 is an absolutely incredible and immersive game with an amazing atmosphere, solid stealth gameplay, large levels with lots of different options and tools to reach your goals, great voice acting and writing, and an eerie soundtrack that suits the mood of the game perfectly.”
    • “And the game's soundtrack is simply amazing, with chilling sweeping synths and general dark tones, the game's soundtrack gives the player a sense of always being watched, of potentially being hunted down, which gives the game's world such a distinctive feeling of ambience and general eeriness.”
    • “The music is rather dull and does not adapt itself to changing situations too well.”
    • “No music, only sound effects and ambience.”
    • “Even in terms of story and music, I consider Thief II to be a downgrade.”
  • humor56 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, featuring a mix of witty NPC dialogue, amusing guard interactions, and Garrett's dry, cynical narration that adds levity to the otherwise dark atmosphere. Players highlight memorable moments, particularly in the "Life of the Party" level, where humorous encounters and glitches contribute to the overall comedic experience. While some may not find every joke appealing, the game's unique charm and funny AI interactions make it a recommended play for those who appreciate humor in gaming.

    • “That being said, I'm inclined to agree with the community regarding the level 'Life of the Party' being the highlight of the game, with its roof-hopping from one manor house to the next on the way to a towering mechanist fortress called 'Angelwatch.' There's a lot of funny moments in it involving ambient NPC dialogue.”
    • “It is pretty much my favorite thing to do in the game; it's utterly hilarious to hear two dozen angry guards yell their 'insults' at you while they fruitlessly chase after you.”
    • “The wonderful acerbic wit of Garrett's narration and the many humorous NPC dialogues that you can eavesdrop upon as you play through the game.”
  • replayability36 mentions

    The game offers exceptional replayability due to its expansive levels, multiple pathways, and diverse playstyles, allowing players to approach objectives in various ways. The inclusion of numerous fan-made missions and mods further enhances this replay value, making it an endlessly engaging experience. Players can enjoy a rich stealth gameplay experience across sprawling chapters, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same.

    • “The freedom to approach each situation in various ways adds a satisfying replayability factor, as no two players will experience the game the same way.”
    • “Endlessly replayable classic, especially with fan missions.”
    • “What made so many older games awesome was that some games had absolutely gargantuan levels, and in the Thief trilogy they had a dozen ways of being completed, increasing replayability, whereas games today tend to be so linear, with the exception of a rare few.”
    • “A comprehensive stealth system where you are a thief, not an assassin, with many routes you can take to complete each level, giving the game immense replay value.”
    • “The game itself had its own replay value, but the fans who made these missions and mods increased the value tenfold.”
  • grinding36 mentions

    Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious, particularly in certain missions that involve repetitive tasks, complex environments, and frustrating objectives. While some levels offer engaging storytelling and satisfying gameplay, many reviewers feel that the excessive difficulty and repetitive mechanics detract from the overall experience, especially in the final stages of the game. Overall, the grinding can feel artificially inflated, leading to a frustrating experience for players.

    • “The difficulty is challenging but not tedious.”
    • “Without doing that, I can see it being incredibly tedious to crawl throughout this massive, multi-layered level.”
    • “For me, this one was way too frustrating and tedious to complete.”
    • “And there are a handful of levels - particularly the final one - that are unnecessarily tedious or frustrating and should've been cut out.”
  • stability22 mentions

    The stability of the game is notably affected by numerous bugs and graphical glitches, largely attributed to its age and the nature of its Steam release. While players can enhance their experience with patches and mods, they should expect occasional issues, particularly with AI behavior and the dark engine's mechanics. Despite these flaws, many fans still find the game enjoyable, especially for its stealth gameplay and atmosphere.

    • “This version of the game is super buggy, and I’m not sure why.”
    • “Theif 2 is a fantastic stealth game, with breathtaking atmosphere, that is commonly bogged down by decade-old glitches and bugs.”
    • “I know most people love this game, but it is buggy, and way too dark to see anything to be worthwhile anymore.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a compelling narrative that evokes a range of feelings, from spookiness to heartfelt moments, though some reviewers note that the plot becomes somewhat heavy-handed towards the end. Players are encouraged to experience the first game to fully appreciate the emotional depth and tone of the sequel, which is described as a hidden gem from a more wholesome era of gaming. Despite technical issues, the game successfully immerses players in its atmosphere and character experiences.

    • “I would recommend playing the first iteration of this game before starting this one, as it gives you some background that is necessary in fully immersing yourself in this narrative, and helps you get a feel for the emotional tone of the setting.”
    • “It's genuinely riveting and has at times been spooky, heartfelt and sad, and even utterly shocking.”
    • “It is a hidden gem and you should play it not just because it is a masterpiece but because it is a relic from an era of gaming that was much more wholesome.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game suffers from significant optimization issues, with players reporting frequent stuttering that disrupts movement and overall gameplay experience. Despite these technical shortcomings, the voice performances remain a highlight.

    • “The game is stuttering and causing me a lot of grief as I try to move about.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Garrett's character development is highlighted as a significant improvement in this installment, providing a refreshing depth to his persona. While the game's visuals may not have aged well, the enhanced character growth stands out as a positive aspect.

    • “Garrett also actually has noticeable character development this time around, which was really great to see.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

90% average critic score

Buy Thief II: The Metal Age

Play time

46hMedian play time
43hAverage play time
20hMain story
36hCompletionist
35-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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