Why I liked Thief II

Here's why I liked Thief II:

- The plot caught me and never let me go. It inspired me to play my best on every level. Furthermore, the short video cut scenes and narration add to the overall brooding atmosphere of the game. There are several main characters (their fates hinged on you), and even the regular Joe guards have personality.

- The sound effects are incredible. Forget about reviewers who say the graphics aren't top notch; this game is about atmosphere and your actions, guiding by great sound effects. Really, this game is more about what you hear than what you see. Half the time you'll be hiding in dark corners with your heart pounding. You won't be staring at eye candy. Definitely wear headphones or turn up the volume really loud.

- This game is long. Even on normal difficulty, I found myself saving the game dozens of times on some levels. It's fun to sit down at it knowing there are new twists and challenges coming your way. Plan to be frustrated on some levels just because you miss some obvious things.

Here's what I didn't like about Thief II:

- Rendering on some of the graphics scenes was slow on my P2-450/TNT system. The last level in particular caused stuttering. A TNT2 or higher video card would probably eliminate this. In any case, turn out the lights in your room.

- Hand-to-hand fighting can be very awkward. Then again the manual says if you've alerted more than two guards, you're more or less doomed anyway.
The main point is not to be seen or heard.

- Sometimes the dark and moody atmosphere gets a little dreary. Take it easy and don't play for eight hours straight. But hey, you're a thief, right?

Conclusion: This game is and will remain a classic. Buy it and buy Thief I before it disappears from the shelves forever. Also check out System Shock 2 if you want more of the same qualities, but in a different settings. Don't forget to apply the patch to Thief II before you start playing! It's 33mb. http://www.thief-thecircle.com/media/patches/