Created by Looking Glass Studios and released in 1998, Thief: The Dark Project was one of the very first stealth video games. Released the same year as another iconic stealth classic, Metal Gear Solid, the game put emphasis on evasion and stealth using a detailed light and sound system. Placed into the boots of the gruff and surly professional thief Garrett, players were forced to closely monitor what surfaces they walked on and how far into the light they ventured in order to avoid attention.
Looking Glass released a sequel in 2000, Thief II: The Metal Age, and after the studio closed, the trilogy was finished by Ion Storm with 2004's Thief: Deadly Shadows. A reboot, simply titled Thief, was released in 2014, but this was incredibly divisive. As one of the most mechanically interesting stealth games in history, which also possesses one of the most beautifully designed worlds in gaming, the classic Thief trilogy deserves a modern reimagining.
The first two Thief titles utilize the Dark Engine, which was designed specifically by Looking Glass for the creation of Thief. The engine allowed for the programming of advanced (for its time) artificial intelligence, allowing the games to contain uniquely intelligent and aware guards to challenge players. However, two decades later, the original Thief games are sub-par in terms of graphics and animations. The excellent art design of the world is lost on the low-polygon rendering of the Dark Engine, leaving some levels feeling inadequate. Enemies are incredibly stiff, and this has a tangible effect on gameplay because it is often difficult to tell when and why a guard has spotted you.
Recreating Thief's gameplay and world using a modern engine could make for a fantastic and unique experience. Many modern games, particularly Arkane Studios' Dishonored series, have taken heavy influence from Thief and continued the trilogy's legacy. Still, Thief's gameplay and world-building is unique and has never been completely emulated in any other game. The immersive atmosphere of every level, the tension of slowly creeping across a loud marble hallway and Garrett's fascinating story would still succeed if released today.Plus, considering voice actor Stephen Russell voiced Corvo Attano in Dishonored 2, it also seems likely that he would be willing to reprise the iconic voice of Garrett.
While the core stealth gameplay of Thief should stay the same, there are many quality-of-life features that could be added in a remake. A mission select screen would allow players to revisit levels without having to load up an old save file. In-game bonuses, such as concept art or weapon skins, could be added as rewards for completing specific tasks, like completing a mission without being seen or collecting every valuable in a level. Thief: Deadly Shadows in particular could benefit from modern hardware with expanded levels. Most of the game's levels were separated into sections that made players sit through lengthy loading screens, but a modern remake could combine each level into one cohesive area.
The Thief trilogy remains among the most beloved and influential stealth games in history. These titles not only created unique and complex stealth gameplay, but also crafted an immersive and fascinating fantasy world to explore. Modern technology and hardware could bring these games into the current era of gaming with an engine that fully captures the trilogy's art direction and tone. By preserving Thief's gameplay and translating it into the modern day, the trilogy could reach a whole new generation of gamers.