Others say...

"Great Game, Doesn't require a hard core system."
I was suprised to find that there was a thief 3. Although older, this game is absolutely a must buy. Doom3 and FEAR are great games, but the system requirements can be a bummer to those with less than top of the line systems. Thief 3 is not only fun, but it is beautifully made. The graphics are top notch and the missions are engaging.
If you have an older system, then this game is not only well worth the money, but I believe you will be thoroughly happy with your purchase.
If you are new to the thief series here's a run down:
You are a thief, originally part of an order of "monks" that observe the world, but don't actually interact with it. They are the "Wathers" You grew tired of their training and used the skills of staying "unobserved" to become the cities greatest thief. There are two other main groups in the city, "The Hammerites" and the "Pagans". Both are religeous orders that strive to convert the city inhabitants to their religion. These two orders HATE each other, but more importantly because of your vocation (and maybe a few items of theirs that you may have "aquired" ) they really hate you!
You go about the city "liberating" things of value, and occasionaly come across "legends" and "Mysteries" that might be profitable if you figure them out.
In this version of thief three there is a terrible calamity coming to the city. The Pagans, Hammerites, and Watchers all have their own beliefs of how the catastrophy can be avoided. Each group wants you to help them solve the problem "Their" way, which generally involves messing with the other groups.
Hide, sneak, and mug your way to the dramatic conclusion. This is one really great game. I say buy it!

"Fun, Scary, and Hilarious"
If you liked Splinter Cell, you'll like this game.

I had so much fun with this game that I have already played it through about nine times. It simply doesn't get old. The little skits that some of the civilians play out as you are sneaking through the shadows are a nice touch.

I love how stupidly innocent the wimpy little civilians are. Whining about the guards, making comments about your appearance, and chatting mindlessly with one another.

Some people said it was kind of stupid to have ragdoll physics in this game. I think otherwise. It is too much fun to knock out a guard and watch as his body preforms yoga moves never thought possible. My favorite is when you whack an annoying little nobleman on the head and watch as he performs a staged death until the last two seconds, where his arm flops around into unnatural positions.

The Shalebridge cradle is without doubt the scariest gaming experience, especially when you know where the developers are coming from with the asylum treatments and all (Pychologists actually performed those treatments!). People are tired of walking through a building with a gun in front of them, only to be killed by a creature that couldn't be much larger than your fist. Lets move on to suspense and ambient noises. I don't want to be killed by a barnacle.

So, all in all, buy the game. Its been labeled as a "First Person Looter" and a "Sneak 'em up", which are wonderful comments.

Its not as serious as Splinter Cell, and the little acts are very benign ,which makes it so much fun, I cannot begin to describe how much satisfaction you will get out of this game. Listen to me. I kan spel kurrektlee.

"Not at all what I expected, but great anyway"
The reason this game is rated mature isn't because of violence or excess blood like it says on the back of the box. The game, instead, is scary. At least, scary to me, since this is my first stealth game. I've played Halo, Serious Sam, Half-Life, and all those things, and this game is definetly different; and not at all in a bad way, I'm almost finished with it, and it still has the draw that it did when I just installed it.

At times, you wander around in abandoned ships, prisons, and asylums, listening to eery muffled screams, moans, distant heartbeats, and fighting undead enemies. The "OLD GRAY LADY", herself, is terryfying to behold during a cutscene. Not intolerable, by any means, just be prepared. Unlike the other games previously mentioned, stealth is definetly the wisest choice here. Be sure to CAREFULLY examine the area you're about to enter and enter with the utmost caution. Playing like this THIEF is a FPS is a definite way to die.

Now, despite any misapprehensions you might be having right now, knock it off. This really is a great game, and it's not all just doom and gloom, there's more than enough action, adventure, and humor thrown in. Just remember, be patient, it may take a long time to get seemingly nowhere, but that's just how this game works: after all, you're a thief, and you have all night, yes? I'd recommend this game to anyone over 16.

Now, the technical stuff. When I first installed this game, the picture was halting and jerky. I soon found out that the game's resolution was set up too high, and I switched it to 640 by 480. My monitor is set higher than that, but my computer isn't exactly steller, either. It's a Windows XP, and other than that minor early hassle the game runs perfectly now, and has never had a glitch or crash. I've had endless frustrations with games that will just as soon slag one's hard drive as they will run. But THIEF isn't like that at all.

"Correction"
The "Very Scary Mission" Review is mine. I didnt play it on the pc but on XBOX. Still i may plan to enter a third time, my nerves where racking so badly the last time i braved the place!

"Very Scary Mission!"
im only 12 and im about to beat it for the third time. the only thing that i hate in this game is mission 9 when you have to go into the haunted Shalebrige Cradle. I saw more than i wanted the second time inside, there are unatural things in there. mofunzone.com has a game manual for the pc version but there both the same and it describes the unatural things there as Puppets. The tormented souls traped by the Cradle for eternety, until it collapses and the Puppets run amuck only to be cut down by the City Watch. i had a very freaky dream that i was Garret and doing the mission i went to the place i thought was best not to go. Shalebrige was an insane asylum and after or befeore (i think before)it was an orphanage, when the city district Audale is available you must speak with Inspector Drept.

Garret peeks into the window.

(large gust of wind and footsteps approche as the camera focuses on Drept)

Drept(face buried in papers)- This place hath noting of value for thee to steal.

Garret(inside office)- Acually Im more interested in those papers of yours... if they can tell me about a crone that talks to statues.

Drept(away from papers)- THOU HATH SEEN THE HAG?!?!

Garret- Not just seen she tried to kill me, but I hear you have been tracking her for years.

Drept- Yea,I hath followed her trail but it hath not been clear. I hath doutbted that her crimes where mine own imaginings. But that thou hath seen her as well...



Drept(speaking nervously and almost scared sounding)- Twas in mine boyhood in the orpahnage known as the Shalebrige Cradle didst i spy her.

I played a hiding game and mine friend sought me... And then a hag, a bent and evil appairation, came form the darkness near enough to touch, mine friend didst scream, but i was a child, and afraid...

(Laurly and Gamall disappear,piture of the Cradle growing dark and haunted)

Drept(still scared or nervous)- The orphanage grew a dark and haunted place, and none doth enter.

(Camera on Drept and Garret again)

Drept- When i came to mine manhood, and twas saved by the Order of the Hammer i sought the hag again.



Drept(sounding like he's about to have a heart attack)- the hag doth wear death about her as a cloak.Some who met her doth vanish. Others perish with bloody work upon their bodies. there are hints of creatures made of stone, and a hag, a bent, old woman. Ever old but growing no older, in a span that hath taken be from my boyhodd to mine own age!

Garret- Can you tell me where to find her?

Drept(nearly dead of fear)- She doth seek her victims now in Auldale, but twas in shalebrige that her murders didst begin. Seekest thou there upon her trail. Tis the only place I hath spied her for certain but i dare never go there.

Garret- Thats a good place to start looking, i have no interest in being the latest in her string of murders...

(Garret becomes invisible upon entering the shadows as he takes his leave)

WARNING: IF YOU ARE FAINT OF HEART HAVE A DEFIBULATOR HANDY UPON ENTERING THE SHALEBRIGE CRADLE.