Things You Wish You Knew About Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow (Before Playing It)
I love the Thief franchise. I've been playing Thief games since the original Thief: The Dark Project was released in 1998. Heck, I even played this reboot/sequel to 2014's Thief (and honestly didn't mind it!). So, when I heard that Thief was coming back, I was beyond excited. And this time Thief takes a step into virtual reality with Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow and a new protagonist.
To better prepare potential thieves for Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow, I wanted to share some information about the franchise and the new game. It won't contain spoilers for the new game, but may contain a few minor spoilers for the franchise, just to help you get into the swing of things. Of course, there's so much amazing content and history in the Thief franchise that it's worth going back to the beginning and playing some of the now-classic games. In the meantime, find out everything you need to know about Thief so you can dive right into Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow.
Genre-defining franchise
The Thief franchise helped bring the concept of stealth to first-person games. In the original Thief: The Dark Project and all subsequent Thief games, the key to success was using darkness to stay hidden in the shadows and avoid loud noises. While nothing prevents the thief player from running around shooting arrows and swinging a sword, the end result usually results in a quick death. Stealth is critical. Approach every moment with the thought: “How can I get where I want to go without being seen or heard?” this is really the only way to play Thief games. And Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow fully embodies these concepts.
All Thief games feature some sort of UI device that gives players information about whether they are hidden in the shadows or not. In the original games, this was an on-screen gem that glowed brightly if you were in the light, dark if you were in the shadows, and could not be seen by various enemies. In Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow, it has evolved into a special gem on our new protagonist's gauntlet. Ultimately, you'll want to stay in the shadows for as long as possible, and the gem on your gauntlet will be key to ensuring you're protected from the darkness.
Sound is another important factor in Thief games. Each surface makes its own sound. Moving along the carpet at high speed will most likely go unnoticed by patrolling guards. But even just walking on metal gratings will cause a metallic clanging noise that is sure to attract attention. This idea returns in Thief VR, but with more sound-producing surfaces, such as broken glass bottles. Proceed with caution.
Tools of the trade
Fortunately, there are many tools available to would-be thieves. Blackjack is a baton-like tool that will knock out unsuspecting guards. Lockpicks will give you access to locked doors and chests. And in your trusty bow and arrow, there are many different types of arrows to help you on your journey. Water arrows extinguish torches, creating new shadows. Rope arrows will give you access to new areas.
In the previous version of Thief VR, selecting which arrow you use was conveniently done by holding a bow and pressing one of the controller buttons to change arrow types. Lockpicking has also received an update and requires you to momentarily hold two lockpicks in certain positions. Although lockpicking may seem simple, it is a lot of fun while playing.
Garrett, master thief
The main character of the first three Thief games was a master thief named Garrett, brilliantly voiced by Stephen Russell. In Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow, you take on the role of a new thief, Magpie. However, in a unique plot twist, the legendary Garrett is sent on his journey thanks to his mechanical eye. Hearing Steven Russell reprise his role as Garrett was a real treat and long overdue.
It is worth noting that the game 4th Thief, Thief (2014)The story takes place hundreds of years after the original trilogy, and also after Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow. So the Garrett you play as in this game is a different Garrett. This is a kind of reboot and quasi-sequel. The game has some minor references to the original trilogy and is worth playing, but playing as a different Garrett with a different voice was a bit jarring.
Availability
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow is a physical VR game. You'll have to look around to survey the area, retrieve and collect loot, draw your bow and shoot arrows, manually pick locks and, best of all, take out guards with blackjack. All these movements will be performed several times in each level. Although you can do this while sitting, you will find that it is much easier if you are standing. Of course, if you do sit, you will need a seat without armrests, otherwise they will get in the way. The game can be quite dark, but once you acquire Garrett, you also have the special ability to find clues throughout the level that will help you figure out the next steps.
You'll be crawling, walking and running through the levels – so there's a lot of movement, but the turning can be adjusted between sharp turns and smooth turns. There are some extra tweaks to the corners too – but if you're prone to motion sickness, keep this in mind. Thief VR does a great job of immersing you in the role of a thief, but the effort can get tiring. Breaks will definitely be needed. Luckily, there's a generous autosave system.
New Gameplay Elements
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow brings a number of new additions to the Thief franchise. This gives the franchise a welcome refresh while staying true to its roots. One of these additions are new perks that you will receive for completing certain tasks in each level. These perks improve Magpie's abilities and make the thief's life less difficult. This could include making it easier to carry bodies or starting a mission with a certain number of water arrows. And because you can choose perks as they come, Thief VR feels like your own personal experience.
The game also encourages players to focus on a play style and rewards players for sticking to it. For example, complete levels undetected or collect all available loot. These are not easy tasks. But they definitely add an extra element of replay value.
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadows – an excellent revival of the cult Thief franchise. With the return of Stephen Russell as Garrett, fans of the original will feel right at home. Thief VR respects the legacy of the Thief franchise, but continues to evolve it with new abilities and perks. The levels may not be as expansive as those in the first two Thief games, but the more focused approach seems appropriate for VR. And let's be honest: there are few things more satisfying than knocking out a security guard with blackjack. If you're almost ready to dive into Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow, be sure to check it out our review.
