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Thief: The Dark Project Remastered has been announced by retro specialists Nightdive Studios and publishers Eidos-Montréal and Atari. It will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Play Anywhere, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, in addition to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, this winter. Thief: The Drak Project Remastered has been described as “a modern revival of the groundbreaking 1998 classic”.
Considered an early foundation of “pure stealth” gameplay, Thief stood out in an era dominated by combat-heavy first-person games. Instead of open confrontation, it rewards a slower, more deliberate approach – using light and sound to stay hidden or misdirect enemies, and when required, ferocious moments of violence that stay hidden in the shadows. Described by its developers as a “first-person sneaker,” the title is widely regarded as the pioneering 3D stealth experience or “immersive sim.”
“Thief didn’t just introduce stealth mechanics; it defined them,” said Stephen Kick, CEO at Nightdive Studios. “With this remaster, we’ve preserved the tension and intelligence of the original while enhancing it for modern players, ensuring that its legacy continues to influence how stealth games are played today.”
Thief notably emphasizes player agency over scripted scenarios, giving players the freedom to navigate the world and tackle challenges in their own way, using the tools available to them to stay hidden. The NPCs in Thief are also responsive to the environment: instead of following routines, they interact with visual and auditory cues, react and investigate, and communicate with each other.
“Few games have had an impact as enduring as Thief,” said Patrice Baig, General Manager at Eidos-Montréal. “It set a standard for immersion and atmospheric storytelling that still resonates today. This remaster ensures a new generation can experience what made it so influential, and we’re proud to see it treated with such care.”
In Thief: The Dark Project Remastered, players once again step into the boots of Garrett, an orphan rescued from the streets by the Keepers, a secretive, ancient order dedicated to maintaining balance in the world, and trained to become a Master Thief. Now an adult, the rebellious Garrett has left the order and now moves through a world of corruption and conspiracy, stealing from the wealthy for personal gain. Despite his cynical outlook and dark wit, as he uncovers hidden agendas among those grasping for power, his instinct is to act for the greater good.
Key features:
Advanced NPC AI: A dynamic visibility system and sound simulation allow both players and enemies to detect movement realistically; NPCs will dynamically adapt to sounds the player makes, investigate, and even raise alarms
Keep to the Shadows: Experience one of the first games to use light and sound as core gameplay mechanics; use fire arrows to extinguish torches and moss arrows to dampen loud surfaces
Stealth-Based Combat: Strike unseen from the shadows using Garrett’s blackjack to incapacitate enemies from behind or specialized gas mines and arrows to take them down from range
Misdirection: Flashbombs will temporarily blind and disorient enemies, and Noisemaker arrows will distract and draw away guards
Tools of a Master Thief: amass a full array of specialized tools, including lockpicks, remote cameras, and even rope arrows to access out-of-reach locations
