Retro Gems: Thief II: The Metal Age

I am not exactly what you'd call the biggest fan of stealth games. Although I respect them for what they are, and I admire people who have the patience to experience the genre to its fullest, I've only finished a few stealth games. Fortunately, one of them is Thief II: The Metal Age. The sequel to a game that "pioneered an entire genre."

To be honest, I enjoyed every second of The Metal Age. The attention to detail left me dumbfounded on countless occasions. I can confidently state that very few games have managed to replicate the atmosphere and said attention to detail, which is what makes Thief II playable to this day.

It may be frustratingly difficult at times. It may be far from what we consider a game with astonishing graphics today. But if you want to see what a true stealth game looks like, give Thief II a try. And don't be afraid to use a walkthrough if needed (although I'd encourage you to try playing it without one - it's extremely rewarding).

Why you should play it

• The stealth genre, perfected.
• Offers an unforgettable challenge if you're up for it.
• World is dark and incredibly atmospheric.
• Level design that encourages replayability.
• Very impressive AI (remember, the game came out in 2000).
• Doesn't hold your hand at all.
• You can get it for cheap on Steam and GOG.

What might put you off

• May get increasingly frustrating towards the end.
• Unless you consider yourself the super-patient type, don't bother playing it.
• Some bugs and glitches that may occasionally affect the gameplay.

Plays similarly to

Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, *Thief 4 , Dishonored, Styx: Master of Shadows.

*Thief 4, also known as Thief (2014 video game) is considered a reboot for the series. Still, fans of the previous three Thief games claim it is inferior in most aspects.

We recommend the Glorious XXL extended gaming mousepad for games like Thief.