Thief was an under appreciated revolution when it was released. Some of the best first person games that fall outside the traditional run'n'gun model being released today, including Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Hitman, all share some elements that were introduce with Thief. I suspect that Thief didn't get the reception it deserved because its barely Quake 1 level of graphics were overshadowed by the likes of Unreal. Thief is not a pretty game. The textures all seem to be a shade of brown or grey, the models are very angular, and about the only effects you'll see are the occasional use of particles and animated water textures. And yet, the game has its own beauty. The levels all have a moody atmosphere, which really sucks you in as you sneak through the shadows. Turn off the lights, turn up the speakers, and your pulse will quicken when you hear a guards footsteps. It is a game that requires patience, both to play the game and to configure its bizarre default key bindings, but once you get into it, you'll be rewarded with a clever and engrossing experience well worth the price of a cup of coffee.
