Since its release in 1998, the Thief stealth series has helped define the genre, maintaining prominence with several games spanning nearly three decades. Steven Gallagher (Creative Director at Eidos-Montréal) and I are here to give PlayStation Blog readers a first look at the next entry in the series, Thief VR: Shadow Legacy.
Thief VR will debut on PlayStation VR 2 on PlayStation 5 on December 4, and the game is available for pre-order now on PlayStation Store. We’re also sharing the latest gameplay trailer recorded on PS VR2. This trailer shows how Thief VR gives you the opportunity to step into the shoes of the Master Thief and embody what makes the series unique, in a compelling modern take from developer Maze Theory and publisher Vertigo Games, with support from OG Thief creators Eidos-Montréal.
It takes a thief to plan a thief
Every great Thief game comes with an array of tools and challenges that naturally encourage you to avoid stealth combat, multiple solutions to each problem, and requiring careful attention to your surroundings using all of your senses. It may be challenging at first, but putting in the time can make it incredibly rewarding. The levels are quite open and non-linear to support player agency – a trademark of the immersive simulator genre. Letting players do what they want rather than what they are told, Steven says, is fundamental to allowing their own unique narrative to emerge.
The operate of shadowy shadows to move through a darker plot, a powerful, oppressive atmosphere, and a touch of desiccated wit are hallmarks of Thief’s storytelling – and each of them is consistent with an immersive VR simulation. “The sense of presence that VR provides makes the experience even more intense and immersive,” says Steven. “The direct ability to naturally use your head to watch your back while your hands open locks by touch is as real as being in the city.”
Darkness is the only ally of a lone thief. PS VR2 OLED lenses feature stronger, more natural contrast, giving you a competitive advantage in the shade. Next-generation audio integration helps players listen carefully for dangers. There’s a sense of palpable anticipation and intimacy that comes from sneaking around in the shadowy in VR – peeking around corners – before slipping through the window with your real head and hands.
It feels like venerable times…
Thief VR combines classic stealth gameplay with next-gen immersion. Players take on the role of an emerging thief named Magpie, living in a dystopian, steampunk fantasy world known as the City. As a Magpie, they will be encouraged to operate a variety of tools, keen observation and creativity to stealthily remain undetected by guard patrols while infiltrating noble estates to steal old artifacts (and more?), under the watchful eye of a familiar thief called Garret.
Thief VR is made by fans for fans. Familiar ears will recognize the iconic Stephen Russell as Garrett, but there are plenty of other connections as well. For example, from a gameplay perspective, the stealth mechanics and immersive gameplay of Thief: The Dark Project (1998) and Thief II: The Metal Age (2000) were the main inspirations for the gameplay pillars of Thief VR.
Steven and I connect Thief titles across centuries and console generations. Since joining Eidos-Montréal in 2008, his experience working on animation, cinematography and ultimately narrative design for Thief (2014) has been invaluable as a consultant to the Vertigo and Maze Theory brands. He also kept the story of VR Thief a secret.
“At the end of Thief (2014), Eidos-Montréal tried to create his own playable VR demo as part of Sony’s Project Morpheus, the first version of PlayStation VR,” Steven reveals. “Unfortunately, we didn’t have much experience in VR development at the time, so overall the product was a bit difficult to play.”
Since great video game storytelling is the result of player and character feeling as one, VR was and still is a natural choice for the series. We’re especially excited to have him lend a hand bring Thief VR to delicate, using the latest technology on PlayStation VR2.
We won’t leave without what we came here for
It is not necessary to have previous experience as a Thief to feel like one yourself by playing Thief VR. Everyone can become their own, fully present Master Thief in a world created almost 30 years ago. VR unlocked a modern level of palpable tension that Thief games are known for. We can’t wait to see PS VR2 players slip in and out of tense situations without getting caught, starting December 4.
Pre-orders are available now and a 10% discount will be available for a circumscribed time.
