Thief Archives

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Marathon fully unveils all seven of its Runners, and I’ll take the one with the grappling hook and loot-stealing drone, please

The author initially lost interest in Marathon due to its challenges and competition from Arc Raiders, but recent updates, including enhanced visuals and the introduction of Runner Shells, have rekindled their enthusiasm. The Runner Shells are highly customizable, offering more flexibility than traditional hero selections in other games. Various Runner Shells, such as Destroyer, Assassin, Recon, Vandal, Triage, and Thief, have unique abilities inspired by Destiny, with Thief particularly appealing for its loot-gathering capabilities. The author expresses optimism about Marathon's potential and intends to engage with the game at launch.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Life sims are in a slump and the only way out is becoming strategy games again

The life simulation genre is experiencing stagnation, with fans disappointed by the cancellation of Life By You in 2024, the postponement of Paralives, and the lackluster impact of Inzoi. The Sims 4 is facing persistent save corruption issues, leading to uncertainty about Project Rene, and many players are expressing boredom and a desire for more challenging gameplay. The shift in gameplay focus from unpredictability and drama in earlier games like The Sims 2 to a more accommodating approach in The Sims 4 has resulted in a less engaging experience. Players are seeking a return to strategic gameplay that includes meaningful consequences and unexpected events. The current state of The Sims 4 resembles a Creative Mode with low stakes, which does not align with the desires of the community for deeper, more challenging life simulations.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Over 1000 Classic PC Games Are Dirt Cheap On GOG Right Now

GOG has launched its Winter Classics Promo, offering over 1,000 vintage PC games at discounts of up to 95%. The promotion started on January 6 and will run until January 20. Games are free of digital rights management (DRM), allowing for easy download and play. Notable titles included in the sale are Theme Hospital, Fallout 3 GOTY Edition, Fallout New Vegas, Dungeon Keeper GOLD, Roller Coaster Tycoon, Sim City 2000, Thief Gold, and many others.

AppWizard

January 4, 2026

‘Happy Gloom Year!’: The new Gloomwood update is out, and it includes the game’s ‘largest, most vertical open area’ yet

Gloomwood, an immersive simulation by New Blood, is currently in early access and features a blend of stealth and action. The latest update, the Hightown Update, introduces the game's largest and most intricate environment, along with new gameplay mechanics. This update includes a new revolver enhanced with a rifle stock and scope, designed for combat against tough enemies. The update also features the most sophisticated enemy forces and gothic environments. Gloomwood is available for purchase on Steam.

BetaBeacon

December 25, 2025

Android Central’s Best of 2025: XR/VR headsets, smart glasses, and games

The Xreal One Pro XR glasses feature a new optics stack that makes them slimmer and widens the field of view. They also include a dedicated X1 chip for spatial tracking, a first for XR glasses.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

Dishonored co-creator says it was ‘a shock’ when Microsoft closed Arkane Austin after Redfall’s release: ‘We were working on something really cool’

Arkane Austin has closed, a decision that has impacted the gaming community, particularly fans of its legacy. The studio was known for innovative titles like Dishonored (2012) and Prey (2017). Former director Harvey Smith expressed sadness over the closure, especially for newer team members. He reflected on the studio's efforts to improve Redfall post-launch and acknowledged Microsoft's support in finalizing a significant patch. Smith hinted at unfulfilled projects, including a potential Blade Runner game and a shelved Thief game. The closure reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry, marking a decline in immersive sims since the 2010s, although there are upcoming titles that may revive interest in the genre.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

First-Person Shooter Now Free for Epic Games Store Users for 24 Hours

Blood West, a first-person shooter developed by Hyperstrange and New Blood Interactive, is available for free on the Epic Games Store for the next 24 hours as part of a holiday promotion. The game, which typically costs .99, has received an 80 score on Metacritic and an 88% approval rating from over 3,200 user reviews. While the base game is free, any downloadable content (DLC) is not included in this offer. Blood West features a blend of shooting and stealth mechanics, where players assume the role of the Undead Gunslinger in a desolate wasteland.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

Jonathan Blow’s new game has the most ‘Jonathan Blow’s new game’ pitch imaginable: A ‘game design supercollider’ that takes 4 puzzle games and jams them together into a 500-hour saga

Jonathan Blow announced his new game, Order of the Sinking Star, at The Game Awards, which has been in development for a decade and features over 1,000 puzzles and more than 500 hours of gameplay. The game includes an expansive overworld with six unique realms, each offering distinct puzzles and mechanics. Players will encounter various characters with unique abilities that influence puzzle-solving, such as a thief who pulls blocks and a wizard who can teleport. The game allows unlimited undos and encourages exploration while providing a philosophical experience for players.

AppWizard

December 12, 2025

Ten years in the making, Jonathan Blow’s new game breaks all the rules of gaming’s greatest puzzle

Jonathan Blow is developing a new game titled Order of the Sinking Star, which has evolved from a modest engine test for his programming language, Jai, into a full-fledged Sokoban-style puzzle game. The game combines elements from four lesser-known freeware puzzle games and features multiple worlds, each with distinct realms and mechanics. Players will navigate challenges involving various characters, each with unique abilities that enhance gameplay. The narrative follows a deposed queen in a fantastical setting, with gameplay focused on exploration and puzzle-solving. Blow's design philosophy emphasizes the interaction of game mechanics and player agency, diverging from traditional storytelling methods. He is collaborating with a publisher for the first time to address the challenges of a saturated market.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

We owe Skyrim’s beloved Stealth Archer to one of the designers of an all-time classic PC stealth game, who wrote Todd Howard ‘a big document of stealth in 20 different games’

Stealth mechanics in role-playing games have been popular among players for decades, with games like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Cyberpunk offering immersive experiences. The Stealth Archer playstyle in Skyrim has gained a significant following, leading to numerous guides and discussions online. Emil Pagliarulo, Bethesda's design director, has a background in stealth games, having started his career at Looking Glass Studios, known for titles like Thief. He conducted an analysis of stealth mechanics in 20 different games upon joining Bethesda. Oblivion, released in 2006, introduced important stealth mechanics such as consistent sound and line-of-sight, enhancing the stealth experience compared to previous games. Pagliarulo distinguishes between Thief, which focuses solely on stealth simulation, and Bethesda's games, which offer a broader range of gameplay systems. He emphasizes the freedom players have to shape their characters' identities through stealth gameplay, expressing pride in the evolution of stealth mechanics at Bethesda.