Thief: The Dark Project

 PC
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. Just Adventure
    100
    It's hard to find any fault when you have a fantastic story, unique gameplay, and good graphics and sound to back it up. It's difficult to even categorize it in any known genre.
  2. Yahoo!
    100
    Simply the most immersive, addictive game I have played in a long time.
  3. Cincinnati Enquirer
    100
    If you’re ready for a different kind of first-person shoo--, er, "sneaker," want to be thoroughly challenged, and don’t mind Eidos’ wacky trapezoidal boxes, pick up Thief: The Dark Project.
  5. Adrenaline Vault
    100
    This has become my favorite game of all time...If you're tired of wannabes, clones, and half-baked attempts at originality, play Thief: The Dark Project and get totally absorbed in the story, gameplay, and Garret himself.
  6. Game Revolution
    100
    In the end, what we have here is the best use of the first-person engine that I have ever encountered. In a world full of "Doom" clones, it's good to see that some designers are still thinking for themselves.
  7. GamePro
    100
    Not only is Thief an anti-shooter, it's also like an RPG without the trappings of levels, skills, and experience points. That's how it feels-again, as though I'm actually doing something.
  8. PC Gameworld
    96
    Many games claim to be the next generation of first person shooters. "Unreal" didn't do it, "Half-Life" didn't either. This is the Promised Land.
  9. GameSpot
    91
    Its emphasis on stealth, strategy, and ingenuity, coupled with its strong narrative structure and excellent mission design, adds up to a game that's stylish, serious, rewarding, and unique.
  10. PC Gamer
    90
    A completely original, utterly captivating riff on the first-person action game. [Apr 1999, p.114]
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  11. All Game Guide
    90
    The first rate story line as well as visual and audio effects make Thief quite an immersive gaming experience. It is a subtle yet captivating game that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
  12. Hot Games
    90
    Nice one, although it needs a gigantic monster of a machine to really play properly.
  13. Gamer's Pulse
    90
    If your favorite RPG character was the rogue, your favorite hero a thief, or your favorite game as a child hide-n-go-seek, without a moment's hesitation go buy this game.
  14. FiringSquad
    90
    Probably the only thing keeping Thief from 5 stars is a better graphics engine...The incredible sound engine, innovative design and game play lift Thief above all others as a single player adventure.
  15. Electric Playground
    90
    The audio is extremely well done because it is a major component of gameplay, not just presentation. I don't think I've ever spent as much time listening to a game as I did with this one.
  16. Computer Games Magazine
    90
    The kind of game that makes it hard to keep a grin off your face. You constantly feel like you're getting away with something you shouldn't.
  17. IGN
    89
    One of the most exciting first-person games to come out in years.
  18. Game Over Online
    88
    The textures in Thief are extremely well detailed and the inside of buildings looks very realistic and outside lights and particle effects of water sprouts (such as fountains) look excellent.
  19. Happy Puppy
    80
    You’ll find the gameplay tight, intense, suspenseful, and unique. It has already stolen my heart, take a risk and don’t overlook it, it may steal yours as well.

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PC Game of 1998
6
#6 Most Discussed PC Game of 1998
5
#5 Most Shared PC Game of 1998

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 456 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 405 out of 456
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 456
  3. Negative: 19 out of 456
  1. oliver1h
    Nov 15, 2012
    10
    I was lucky enough to play this game when it was released. Still one of the best game out there. This game had everything: charismatic mainI was lucky enough to play this game when it was released. Still one of the best game out there. This game had everything: charismatic main protagonist and villains (Garrett, Viktoria, the Trickster etc.), a great new engine (Dark Engine which featured new alpha blending, texture filtering and lighting techniques... all quiet revolutionary back than). Great game and level design (It was designed to be largely unscripted; events, instead of being pre-defined by designers, occur naturally.) Great gameplay (Thief focused on stealth and evasion from a first-person perspective, and not full frontal action.) Atmosphere (The game takes place in a metropolis called "the City" which has been noted to contain elements of fantasy, the Middle Ages and the Industrial Revolution.) Cutscenes (They were partly animated, partly made with live actors and motion capture technology). Even today the Thief series is the ultimate stealth game in gaming history. The stealth system was very new when the game was released. The player had to rely on the environment to avoid being detected. Shadows could be used to avoid notice; a monitor on the heads-up display (HUD) indicated the player character's visibility level. The player could lean, crouch, climb, swim and run, among other actions. Surfaces caused varying amounts of noise; for example, carpet is quiet and ceramic tiles are very loud. Enemies were reacting to these factors, and players could manipulate these element of gameplay to distract NPCs etc. Go play Thief:TDS than go and play the rest of the series.… Full Review »
  2. gracjanski
    Jun 27, 2020
    7
    Thief didnt age well in my opinion:
    The AI is very bad, sometimes it is even unrealistic and disturbs the immersion.
    The graphics engine is    Thief didnt age well in my opinion:
    The AI is very bad, sometimes it is even unrealistic and disturbs the immersion.
    The graphics engine is outdated, even with HD mods.
    The levels are big and complex, so you get lost often, what is frustrating. The map is not very helpful.
    The controlling is uncomfortable,if you search for an item in your inventory.

    But...the beginning of the game is great: perfect atmosphere and great setting. It is a great idea to play a thief exceptionally and not a hero again. in addition stealth games are interesting instead of the 38237rz32th shooter. Anyway I prefer Splinter Cell.    … Full Review »
  3. whitespider999
    Feb 21, 2012
    8
    What an incredible series. Thief was so different in it's time. And even now games are still catching up. With a sound system built into theWhat an incredible series. Thief was so different in it's time. And even now games are still catching up. With a sound system built into the entire that rivals modern games, an intriguing and dark story, and tense gameplay that changes the way you play games - thief is a hallmark of excellence.… Full Review »
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