Thief E3 gameplay footage and developer commentary
Square Enix showcased some excellent Thief gameplay at the E3 conference, and the following video contains the fullpresentation of the first-person stealth title by developer Eidos Montreal running on the PS4. The developers state how the gameplay can vary upto the player as you can decide to go stealthy and even non-lethal if you so desire. The footage starts off with a bit of backstory, as we see how riots have erupted in the city and how the main character Garrett attempts to infiltrate Northcrest Manor to steal a precious heirloom called The Heart of the Lion. The premises are well guarded as the soldiers aim to prevent a mob from breaching the area; a quick cinematic flyover gives an idea of the grounds to traverse. The initial aim is enter the manor, with an optional objective of pickpocketing the Captain of the guards.
The inventory shown contains different types of arrows such as a water one, which allows you to put out fires/torches, while a hook-like object is always available to climb not-too high walls. The developers emphasise how sticking to the shadows is much more rewarding, as this is where Garrett truly shines. A solider investigating the torch is knocked out by the thief; you can drag bodies to stash them somewhere where they won’t be noticed. Stealth is not only about not being visible, but also about staying quiet; crouching and walking on grass and the ground produces minimal sound compared to wading through water.
One of the new features in the game is called Focus, an ability seen in the Bottom-left of the HUD which can be used in multiple ways including to boost your aim while using a bow/arrow; the players uses this to takedown an enemy with a head shot, earning some experience points. Focus can also be used to spot hidden/useful objects, and pickpocket faster and more items simultaneously; it doesn’t regenerate automatically, but required items such as a poppy flower. Then there’s the swoop ability, which is essential is quickly and quietly moving short distances from cover to cover. The rope arrow is also back, and can be used to access otherwise unreachable areas.
The next item in the 33-minute long video is an interview of the developer, in which the latter talks about how the upcoming title is founded on the classic ideas of the previous games but also incorporates new features – some of which are mentioned above – in an attempt to attain a perfect blend of the two. He also reveals that players can return to their hideouts at the end of missions, and that there are numerous side jobs and other tasks to undertake in the various districts of the city. The clip concludes with an interview with John Koller, PlayStation VP of Hardware Marketing, who talks about the PS4’s features.
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