Thief™ II: The Metal Age
This is going to be a long one! As my name entitles, this is probably one of THE best stealth game ever made! I will go in depth why it is and why you should be playing it:
Let’s start off with a list. What makes a stealth game one of the greats? In my own personal opinion it is: Have engaging, functional, and consistent stealth mechanics. Provide the player with alternate routes and methods of completing an objective. have interesting, unique levels. Have said levels progressively provide harder challenges to overcome. little to no combat, and have an engaging story and setting that makes the player want to progress. Every stealth game I have ever played usually doesn’t have all of these things checked marked on the list. MGS has forced combat and has a questionably written story. The first two Splinter Cell games were far too linear and also forced combat at times. Not to mention the sub par stories. Conviction tries way too hard to un-check every thing on this list. Dishonored’s story is cliche and is WAY too easy any way you play it (Yes, even the non lethal no powers run is too easy). The list goes on. That’s why everyone’s favorite stealth games usually are Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, the Hitman series, Death to Spies, and other games that manage to check the checklist. What about Thief 2?
– Real player with 238.7 hrs in game
Read More: Best Classic Stealth Games.
Intro
Thief II The Metal Age is easily one of the best games of all time and the pinnacle of not only stealth in video games, but level design and story telling. I may be in the minority in saying that I prefer both the original and Deadly Shadows more, but goddamn if this isn’t a worthy successor in every way, continuing the series and building upon the world that you helped shape by the end of the last game.
The Great:
++The sound design in this game is phenomenal. The propergation engine, the voice acting, the ambient effects… it’s totally unique (to this day!), and hugely innovative in its connection to gameplay, etc. Everything is just at the highest standard possible, which is to say, totally unmatched.
– Real player with 237.4 hrs in game
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura… oh, this game…
In spite of my low ownership, I am more than familiar with this bizarre, wonderful masterpiece, a game I sometimes thought was a complete fever dream from the depths of my imagination, among a strange number of other games including an action game involving Skittles and a dark knight. I’m still not sure that one still exists, though.
Arcanum is NOT a fever dream, however, and does in fact exist and is a masterpiece of a forgotten era where computers had the ability to deal with the unique and antiquated graphical features on their own. Because Microsoft doesn’t know how to keep good features from previous operating systems, it is imperative that you look up a tutorial on how to play this game, and while on your way, pick up an unofficial patch and maybe a few mods; one of which being Virgil’s Debug Menu. You won’t regret it.
– Real player with 684.3 hrs in game
Read More: Best Classic Story Rich Games.
In my ongoing and likely futile effort to write a Steam review for every game in my library (#450 out of 612)… it’s time for Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magicka Obscura.
Arcanum is one of the finest CRPGs ever made, and arguably the most impressive product legendary (if somewhat infamous) developer Troika Games ever built. It’s a massive,, brilliantly open game in the vein of Fallout that offers players an unprecedented degree of freeom with regard to how they build their characters, how they play the game, and how they progress through the world. It’s difficult to overstate just how deeply engaging Arcanum can be—this one is a classic roleplaying game for very good reason.
– Real player with 124.4 hrs in game
Thief™ Gold
I can’t believe I played this game 20 years ago and it’s still a blast. Well, it’s my number one game, just look at my avatar.
Technology:
The way this game is meant to be played is with TFix + HDMod. I repeat !!!TFix!!! (not TGTool). I can safely say that now the game looks better than ever, even compared to its original release back in 98. The reason why is pretty simple - the hardware limitations at that time were quite significant. TFix patches the game with the unofficial New Dark Engine lifting the limitations imposed by the original Dark Engine. There are many improvements: support for higher resolution, the in-game objects have significantly more polygons, bugfixes, HD textures.
– Real player with 71.2 hrs in game
Read More: Best Classic Stealth Games.
It is amazing how as computing technology improves and new tools such as VR are introduced that consumers continue to pine for ‘better’ and ‘more immersive’ games, as though immersion is some ideal we may hope to one day achieve once the graphics are good enough and the gadgets we attach to our forehead become more effective. However, one need only look back to the late 90’s, when a developer known as Looking Glass studios was already forging the path for immersive simulators decades ahead of time.
– Real player with 61.2 hrs in game
Steel Empire
The war between your nation, the Republic of Silverhead and the Motorhead Empire has been fought for many years. The Empire has maintained superiority over you because it is a wealthy nation with many resources. The Republic is known for its brave warriors; now it is time to take the war to the Empire. Lead the Army south to liberate the city of Rahl and drive out the Empire once and for all. Time to choose and board your Airship Captain. You can choose a lighter, faster, less-armored plane or a heavier, slower, more-armored plane, depending on your preferences. Choose your level of difficulty; there are 4 to choose from. Now take to the skies Captain, and lead your nation to Victory.
– Real player with 5.3 hrs in game
-=The Good=-
Nice-sounding battle music
Upgraded visuals over Genesis version
Good control and hit detection
An extra sub-boss near the end
Detailed spritework
Cool Steampunk setting
Extra parallax scrolling added to some backgrounds
-=The Bad=-
Noticeable artifacts in movies
Lots of typos
Odd mix of sprites and non-sprite effects
Strange sprite outline issues
Some stuttering at times
-=The Details=-
Steel Empire was a game originally released on the SEGA Genesis back in 1992, when the influx of shmups for the system was dying down. It made a name for itself by being a well made game with a Steampunk setting that differed from a lot of the other shmups coming out at the time, along with a somewhat movie-like presentation. In time, the game was ported to the GameBoy Advance in 2004 and the DS in 2014. And this game is more or less a port of the DS version.
– Real player with 5.2 hrs in game
Thief: Deadly Shadows
I’m an unabashed long-time fan of the Thief series. I was excited to hear my favorite video games were getting a third installment. Then I played this…
The first time I played through this game, at every turn I sighed and thought bitterly about how such and such was different from this or that in the first two games. And almost every instance was different for the worse, not better. I finished the game with an unpleasant taste in my mouth. I’ve played it again before writing this review, this time deliberately putting the high expectation bar out of mind. The result has been a more enjoyable experience. It’s a shame but I suppose what I’m saying is that I enjoyed this game more when I lowered my expectations for it, ahaha. NOT RECOMMENDED.
– Real player with 91.2 hrs in game
I write this on the basis of not having played previous Thief games in the series. However, Thief: Deadly Shadows proved itself a firm favourite and true classic on my list (I owned the game on disc when it was first released but had to re-purchase on Steam so it was compatible with my current PC). It’s true that the graphics are now very obsolete compared to more modern titles - but it has been around for over ten years! - and I still have fond memories of exploring, stealing, sneaking, and eavesdropping.
– Real player with 79.1 hrs in game
The Chaos Engine
I’m not sure if I am missing a large issue with this re-issue of this classic game, but the low metascore and bad reviews are something I just can not relate to or agree with at all. The Chaos Engine is a fantastic game that has a rock solid design, it is also one of the first games I ever played on the Amiga and was thrilled to see a remastered version released on Steam. Playing this again for the first time in about 18 years was the ultimate nostalgia trip. This game was way ahead of it’s time, as was it’s music.
– Real player with 32.3 hrs in game
This is more a rant that a review so bear with me…
Chaos Engine year 1993. Reactions “This game is too hard whine whine whine”
Chaos Engine year 2013. Reactions “This game is too hard whine i want this whine i want that what a shame i have been a fan my whole life whine”.
I have not yet read any good points why this truly original HD remake game would suck. this game is rock solid in design. I can’t even name another game that would be like it and have the same level of thought used to design it. And dont even start on the graphics. they are bitmap brothers style graphics. Their trade mark. Whoever wants to mess with that needs to jump into an icy lake.
– Real player with 9.3 hrs in game
Steam Squad
I decided to write a review (though usually do not do), I liked the game, and here’s why:
Passing the game is not easy, missions of the first company are not very hard, but further became much more difficult. You can’t save during a mission, so you have to play carefully and cleverly (I’ve gone only 12 levels). Before the start of the mission you just in general terms imagine what awaits you, and already it is necessary to choose the squad on a mission (cool that the game offers total freedom in terms of units equipment), it is very exciting.
– Real player with 39.1 hrs in game
-Recommended Title-
Steam Squad is a “Steampunk” Turn Based Strategy game, currently available as early access (in Beta - currently v0.371b)
Whilst the game is based on “The Great War”, it’s historical content does not include the Entente and Central Powers forces per se, but the British and “Exotic Asian” (Han) forces instead, this dynamic is interesting - and refreshing and sets a very plausible scene.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=330512716
The main character in the story is a British Captain - Ken Whitehall, and his troop of “Gentlemen”, whom are battling the “Han”. The storyline follows Ken and his men, through different missions as they undertake the battle and stop the march of the Han.
– Real player with 19.8 hrs in game
Syberia II
I beat Syberia a year or two ago and while I really enjoyed it and knew that the journey continued in Syberia II, other games and life called me away. When I learned that Syberia 3 was in the works, a fire got lit underneath me and I finally played and finished Syberia 2 in preparation. I am so glad that I didn’t play Syberia 2 until 3 was announced because I think I would have some seriously unanswered questions, but lets start from the beginning.
Syberia II starts immediately after Syberia ends, so it is not so much a sequel as it is a continuation of the story. Now if you think that a game that has the story of a New York lawyer named Kate Walker going to Eastern Europe to wrap up a business deal and ends up instead helping an old man who is a genius with building automatons (NOT robots) go to the supposedly fictional island of Syberia where mammoths still live is boring, then move along. If however you think that that plot has possiblities you have to play it. I dare say it will be unlike any game you play. I know it stands out for me.
– Real player with 14.0 hrs in game
Классный, хардкорны квест, но уж очень сильно устарел. За него садился 3 раза, чтоб наконец с 3го пройти полностью. Покупать стоит только любителям ретро квестов, ибо удовольствие от игры трудно получить.
Графика. Начну с нее, так как игра двольно старая и визульная часть отстает даже к моменту выхода. Текстуры на фоне чень размыты и настроек в игре практически нет. Добится 1080p можно разными тулзовинами (спасибо Steam Community), но общее качество картинки остается в разрешении 480p.
Сюжет является прямым продолжение первой части - мы едем в Сибирь на поиски мамонтов. По ходу дела с нами происходят интересные ситуации, которые приходится разруливать решая разные головоломки. Добравшись до конца - просто смотрим ролик (который вроде как и о хорошем конце, но все не очень, т.к. ГГ ничего из этого не получает, кроме морального удовлетворения за помощь деду уйти на покой вместе с мамонтами). Никаких ответвлений или разных исходов, все что нас развлекает на пути - это гиперболизированные образы типичных русских, монахов, бандитов и разные ситуации с ними. Как я уже сказал, решать все надо в стиле квеста, и тут уже лучше рассказать о
– Real player with 13.8 hrs in game
Syberia
Review brought to you by:
TentacleBunny’s Cozy Cottage
Syberia is a pure classic and a cult of its era, with a large fan base that keeps it alive in our memories. It’s for good reason that despite all the years that passed by, this original 2002 Point & Click is still so loved and appreciated by players.
Kate Walker is the representative of a major American law firm, responsible for a contract that involves the sale of a family-owned spring-automaton toy factory. This is not a simple factory though, as it once was the most recognized factory in the world. Set in the small beautiful fictional town called Valadilène, the family that ran the Vorarlberg factory for centuries did it with passion and love, but everything dies, even the most precious toy.
– Real player with 27.0 hrs in game
Syberia is a tour-de-force in the point-and-click genre of the gaming world, maybe not just even within its own genre. The story is both intriguing and compelling, the graphics still look great and hold their details, and the characters are awesome, interesting, funny, and tragic.
This game shows off the artistic talent and genius of Benoit Sokal, a Beligian comic artist and the game developer for Syberia I and II. After my last time playing it, I began to realize the small details that make a game’s story great and its characters equally so. Our main protagonist, named Kate Walker, is an international lawyer from a law firm in New York…and her life there is less than satisfactory. Granted, these details are revealed through short phone calls with her doting, somewhat air-headed mother, her so-called “best friend” Olivia, her impatient, jaded boss, and her fiance, whom Kate discovers over the period of the game she is not compatible with. Good thing too, because her fiance is a total ***hole.
– Real player with 24.6 hrs in game
Riven: The Sequel to MYST
Riven is a sequel to Myst, an old school click adventure game that revolves solving intricate puzzles and exploring surreal worlds created from linking books.
First off let me tell you that Riven is not revised for modern hardware, as such, some feature set is very archaic. The save menu operates like a word document save menu. The resolution is stuck at a piddly 640x480 resolution, this makes playing the game on modern monitors an absolutely awful visual experience. To makes matter worst, the game cannot be set to windowed mode without some major .exe hex coding voodoo. That set aside, the game is still worth playing. After all with the limitation of Riven’s game engine, which is essentially one huge powerpoint slide, it’s not too strange that the game is limited in resolution. The game is a little over 3 gigabytes and it’s 33% of 1080p. Keep in mind that this game was created in 1997, which equates to a 5 CD game. Had this game release at 1080p, it would’ve been around 15 CD’s. Have fun switching and keeping track of that many disk while playing!
– Real player with 105.9 hrs in game
First of all, I recommend you beat this game WITHOUT looking up a walkthough, I will explain later in the review.
This is one of my favorite games of all time. This is one of the best (and one of the only) examples of a puzzle game done right. sure there are other puzzle games out there that are great like The Witness and… uh… well The Witness doesn’t even count because that is a more logic puzzle game and I consider that a different sub-genre. I honestly can’t find a good comparison to this game other than Myst 1 (and even that has major differences).
– Real player with 32.5 hrs in game