Gameplay of "Thief VR" revealed: How to play the new edition of the classic game
The Thief series is back: this time it's sneaking, lurking and stealing in virtual reality. A new gameplay trailer shows what this looks like.
Vertigo Games is realising the VR version of the stealth classic "Thief" together with Maze Theory and is now showing detailed gameplay material for the first time.
(Image: Vertigo Games)
Vertigo Games, Maze Theory and Eidos-Montréal have released the first detailed gameplay video for "Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow". The title is scheduled for release in 2025 for PlayStation VR2, Meta Quest and PC VR and brings the stealth genre back to the dark alleyways of "The City" – in virtual reality for the first time. At a preview event in London, host Dan Maher presented a fresh trailer as well as a commented gameplay demo with Nick Witsel, Principal Game Designer at VR studio Vertigo Games.
Sneak, steal, disappear
The plot of "Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow" does not pick up directly from one of the previous instalments, but tells its own story with new characters. Protagonist Magpie, whose parents were killed by Baron Northcrest, meets the legendary master thief Garrett during the game. Together they get caught up in a conspiracy surrounding a mysterious artefact that they are supposed to steal from Ravencourt Manor. The mission shown there begins with an exploration of the surroundings using a mechanical eye that makes enemies and clues visible like a scanner.
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The VR realisation relies on classic Thief elements: Stealth, sound control and alternative solutions. In contrast to other genre representatives such as "Assassin's Creed Nexus VR", killing is not an option here. Although a guard is sent to the land of dreams with a truncheon, he does not stay there forever and can also be woken up again by colleagues. In addition, some helmets prevent silent elimination.
However, as each mission offers several ways to reach the objective, stealth fans can look forward to creative solutions. Various tools, including water arrows to extinguish light sources, rope arrows to cross obstacles and lock picks to open locked doors, help with the realisation.
Audio, haptics, and alternative routes
According to Witsel, the studio has adapted the interaction with the environment to VR. For example, players can smother candles with their fingers or blow them out via the VR goggles' microphone, and throw objects lying around as distraction manoeuvres. To increase immersion, the developers have largely dispensed with the display of UI elements. Only a display on the right hand shows how visible you currently are.
In addition to visibility, the perception of sounds is also important in "Thief VR". Footsteps on carpets are quieter than on stone, and the position of guards can be determined by listening carefully. Picking locks is solved by a mini-game in which the hands have to rotate at a certain angle. If desired, the displays disappear here too, so players have to rely on the sounds and haptic feedback in the controllers.
Return of a genre icon
"Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow" is the first realisation of the series for virtual reality and was announced at this year's Summer Game Fest in June. The title is being developed by Vertigo Games, the studio behind the VR hits Arizona Sunshine 2 and Metro Awakening, and Maze Theory.
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Both studios are to work closely with Eidos-Montréal, who already realised the 2014 reboot. However, the new version is set to return to the roots of the series, whose first instalments played a key role in shaping the stealth genre with their non-linear design and strong atmosphere.
(joe)
