I´ve been watching development of this game since it´s official announcement and even though I was among those more hopeful, now I am doubtful. After what I read on the official forums plus confirmed details (hammerites/zombies gone, complete change of art style, rope arrow gone, Stephen Russell has not even been asked (!) if he wants to participate, Eric Brosius ditto...) about the game makes me uneasy.

All in all, at a current state I won´t be buying the game, I´d rather wait for a sale.
And I´ve been really looking forward to this game before :(

No Hammerites or even Mechanist style stuff?

That goofy supernatural stuff isn't edgy enough for this generation.

Well Thief 2 had less 'supernatural' stuff overall, compared to the first game. If it was more thief 2 like with more human enemies and security to deal with it wouldn't bother me. Although I do like the challenge of the supernatural zombie levels.

That is why I'm worried. Deus Ex: Human Revolution was piss easy.

But Deus Ex: Human Revolution as much better than the second game, and closer to the first... Even if it was still somewhat simplified from the first.

I was just thinking the new actor sounds kinda like a cross between the Keeper training Garret in Thief I trainer level, trying to sound like Garrett....

Thief is dead. Replay Thief 1 and 2, enjoy some of the excellent mods, and forget about this new "Thief".

I called it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tAZg2NR_qY

I'm really saddened by this god awful gameplay.........Builder be praised, this game is awful

I love the supernatural atmosphere it gives to the first Thief (I'm currently playing it) but only as part of the story, gameplay it doesn't make much sense. First, you're a thief and secondly, you've no magic or otherwise anti-supernatural stuff. Use stealth against supernatural creatures that may have unknown or better senses just don't fly with me. I also hate zombies.

As for the new game, I'm looking forward to it. They're going to use UE3 engine so you know some hardcore fan(s) will end up modding it making it similar to Thief 1 and Thief 2, sort of like Minimalist Project for the 3rd game.

Technically the supernatural stuff in the early games reacts just like the living. The only difference you can't knock them out. But you can still sneak past them, as any good thief should do. Shadows are your friend. Remember hammer haunts can be killed in one hit with a good backstab. They won't even know you are there if you keep to the shadows. Avoid sleeping zombies, don't get too close they can't even bother you. Keep some holy water on supply if you know you are going into a zombie infested area. Even ghosts can be destroyed using fire arrows IIRC (keep hidden if you are going to snipe them). Water arrows will take out the fire elementals (again snipe from the shadows).

Also you can knock out all living creatures in Thief 1. Burricks will just call nearby enemies as they fall, after being knocked out (make sure you knock them out in the dark so you can sneak away). You can't hide their bodies so it will agitate nearby enemies if they are discovered. Same goes with the mantises/bugmen, easy to knock out, it is a silent knock out, but you can't move their bodies (so try to knock them out in the dark if you can, to make it harder for their bodies to be discovered).

Keep mindful of the surfaces you are walking on, and change your walking speed/sneaking to compensate.

If you have to kill some enemies, remember that sniping from the shadows, when the enemies don't know you are there will do more damage than shooting when they know where you are. Giant spiders come to mind.

There is a possibility that new operating systems, faster computers, and updates like NewDark) has broken some of the sneaking, and increased sound sensitivity of the enemeis in Thief 1. But monsters, and undead should react similarly to all other living as far as sneaking past them. They do not have supernatural night vision.

In Thief 2 you'll encounter human guards and cyborgs with neck protection and large helmets, that can't be knocked out by normal means as well. But sneaking past them works exactly the same. Note: gas arrows are your friend if you want to knock them out. OF course robots, you'll need to use water arrows to take them out silently.

Here is a better gameplay video. At least describing what new stuff they are adding into the new game.... You can hear the horrible new 'Garret' voice...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHGJ33Co_cw

I do like the fact that the classic rope arrow is back. They did open up the options of how you enter buildings. You can take a basement approach or use rope arrow and enter into the attic for example.

The stupid 'focus' thing can be turned off, and is completely optional.

Otherwise the gameplay looks kinda like a cross between Deus Ex 3, and Dishonored...

Now now, no need to be petty. I'd prefer to appreciate the new game for what it is rather than blanket myself in nostalgia based on what I would like the game to be.

Nobody is obliging you to do otherwise. Eidos can't, however, very well expect or demand that anybody should follow your example; they opted to make a 'reboot'/semi-sequel, and they're going to be judged accordingly.

I had hoped that they wouldn't be using Garrett just to create a split between the original games and the new one. It really doesn't make sense to me to name these games after the old when so much is changed.

Are the legal departments too lazy to sign for new names for these things or is it for stuff like we are engaging in here publicity by old fans complaining about it that they don't simply make a new series.

All I know is that had they announced a stealth game I'd have been interested, when they announced a new Thief I groaned.