Thief: Deadly Shadows had to be the most fun I've had sneaking around. Fun-wise, I rank it side-by-side with anything from the Splinter Cell series. The graphics are beautiful in some areas, positively stunning in others, and the game play mechanics are extremely solid and very responsive. Even though I've played it on Xbox, I would be hard pressed to decipher this version from the PC. It's that good.
Although with this good, there has to be bad, right?
Loading time - Roughly about 1 minute, give or take a few seconds. 1 minute may not sound like too big of a deal, but when playing, it sure is an immersion killer.
AI? - Sitting back and watching some city folk walk around is like watching an old zombie movie: stiff and clumsy. Sometimes they walk into walls, and continue to walk, regardless of whatever is in their way, even though they're being physically blocked from going any further. Don't get me wrong, because for the most part, the NPC's in the game can be a bit challenging and (at times) insanely aware. I find most of the AI "stupidity" in places you wouldn't normally have objective-based missions.
Sound glitches - I may be the only person to ever experience this, but I'm letting everyone know just in case. One very annoying thing that happens (to me) is sometimes the sound will completely cut out during intense moments. For instance; once an enemy discovers me and draws their weapon to face off, it's like the game can't push all the sound action going on at the time. Given all the right circumstances, it's like somebody pushed the mute button. And sound is definitely a requirement as part of the game play. I have to re-load the entire game for the sound to return.
Visual irregularities - Light has a projected path that does not include seeping through solid walls. In certain areas, while hiding in some nook that's completely void of light, you'll still be able to see illumination on Garrett's body. That is, from the light source that's hanging in the opposing room, across the hallway, that you're not even in. Sounds ridiculous, but oddly enough, the light gem still maintains that you're completely hidden (as it should be). And if you play games a lot, then you're familiar with the term "Blue Hell". The place where graphics go to die. Well, the game gives you the opportunity to explore areas no human has any place being in the first place. Given that, you would think they would put extra effort into those neat quirks to avoid angle-based blue hell while rotating the camera at various degrees. While in one of these areas, the entire environment will simply disappear, and re-appear only when the camera angle is brought back to a certain point. Creepy....
If I like the game so much, why point out and stress the negatives? I point them out because other than those listed above, I can honestly recommend this game with a very high regard. It is, in fact, a system-seller for me. I wasn't generally interested in any game for the Xbox, aside from this one. And I'm glad I took a chance with it.
Understand that this is a STEALTH BASED game, not a shooter. Garrett has no business being involved in combat, unless it's absolutely, positively, without-a-doubt, necessary as a last resort. He is indeed weak, but I wouldn't think that any thief would be a brawler-type. After all, thieves like to be neither seen nor heard, and if they are, then they're in the wrong line of work.
