Thick As Thieves wants you to stay hidden, even if a public square fight looks tempting

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As a die-hard fan, I can confidently say that the most alluring riches have an uncanny knack for igniting the most ruthless competitive instincts in thieves. Only one cunning crook will snatch the loot, while the rest will walk away empty-handed. If they’re fortunate enough to evade capture, of course. Thick As Thieves, a masterpiece from Warren Spector’s OtherSide Entertainment, elevates multiplayer excitement to new heights within the realm of grand larceny. Recently at Summer Game Fest, Shacknews and I couldn’t resist the thrill of attempting a major heist – it’s the perfect finale to our coverage of that action-packed weekend!

In this engaging demonstration, I, as an enthusiastic fan, stepped into the shoes of Samantha Stetler, our Lead Producer. For this captivating session, she joined forces with three fellow players in a thrilling multiplayer match. Although the game is designed to accommodate up to four cunning thieves, all vying for the same prize. The intriguing Thick As Thieves was unveiled at The Game Awards 2024 and offers a PvPvE experience that’s nothing short of a larceny extravaganza in the roaring ’20s.

As a member of the prestigious Thieves Guild, we were all after the same valuable loot each night. The one who managed to snatch it would earn the Guild’s admiration. If a little betrayal was necessary along the way, the Guild wouldn’t bat an eye.

Each adventure begins in a hideout belonging to a thief, where a map is displayed on the wall. To uncover what the Guild intends to acquire, thieves should venture out onto the streets and sneak towards a nearby telephone booth. Inside, they’ll find a telegraph that provides their objective. In this scenario, the hint for the treasure’s location was found at a neighboring manor, but Thick As Thieves allows room for creativity when it comes to gathering information, sometimes requiring breaking and entering. When attempting to break through a locked window, mini-games involving lockpicking may appear. However, thieves must remain vigilant as they explore, as being detected in restricted areas will result in a bystander summoning a guard.

In addition to being safeguarded by human guards, valuable possessions can also be protected by various traps. Stetler attempted to infiltrate a manor through its skylight, but found an electrical trap blocking his path. This necessitated locating a nearby control panel and disabling it before proceeding further. At a later point, a fairy thief was employed to steal the guard’s key, as the story unfolds in Thick As Thieves, where magic coexists with the ordinary world, resulting in unique items and powers that subtly blend elements of fantasy and the supernatural.

Traps can protect valuable objects, just like guards. Stetler tried to break into a manor through the skylight, but he encountered an electric trap. To continue, he had to find a control panel and turn it off first. Later on, they used a fairy pickpocket to steal the guard’s key. In this story, magic is mixed with everyday life, so you’ll see some special powers and items that have a touch of fantasy.

Initially, we thought the final spot was a locked library, but upon arrival, the door was mysteriously open. This hinted that someone else had visited before us. In this game, red footprints indicate other players’ movements and can help predict where they might go next. Remember, this two-way trail of clues means you should be careful not to leave your own footprint trail, lest you reveal your position easily.

Following a skirmish over the shared loot that featured poisoned arrows, the countdown to extraction started. The objective here is to make it to the extraction spot since the Guild isn’t fussed about who gets the treasure, making it a common source of heated conflicts. Nonetheless, it’s crucial for players to be mindful of their battle locations. Engaging in fights in public areas can draw law enforcement, resulting in everyone getting apprehended. This was evident when Stetler and another thief had a scuffle right in the heart of a bustling square. The distinction between private and public spaces is marked by an icon in the lower corner, so players should always be aware of their current location. A successful extraction brings in money and reputation, whereas being caught or knocked out results in nothing gained.

In the game between heists, players need to strategize extensively, choosing the tools that work best for each specific job and considering which skills align with their current character class. During this demo, three classes were showcased: The Spider, who moves around using ziplines; The Chameleon, capable of blending in with any NPC; and The Hood, who enjoys combat advantages and an additional respawn opportunity. It is worth mentioning that leveling up in Thick As Thieves doesn’t boost stats but instead grants access to new tools and theft-related options. The developers aim for this game to be about making optimal use of your available tools rather than relying on power upgrades.

Looking at Thick As Thieves, its moment-by-moment gameplay seems engaging, and the concept of four expert crooks vying against each other promises entertainment. As we delve deeper into this game, we’re eager to discover more about its additional equipment and skills. For now, it’s a title that has piqued our curiosity. Mark your calendars for 2026 as Thick As Thieves will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

The sneak peek you see here is from an initial stage of the game, which was played during a personal, in-house demonstration at Summer Game Fest: Play Days. Keep in mind that the finished item may still undergo changes.

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2025-06-24 23:27