Daniel writes: Like Invisible War before it, Deadly Shadows is something of a controversial game. Hardcore fans of the series denounce it as heresy, and refuse to acknowledge it as a genuine sequel. “It’s dumbed down for stupid console gamers. The levels are too small, and there isn’t rope arrows, and also the loot glints.”
The Reticule team come together to share their thoughts and memories of the legendary Shalebridge Cradle level from Thief Deadly Shadows.
In a podcast with Wassup Conversations, Jordan Thomas, director and the writer of BioShock 2 reveals his initial ideas for a new rapture and how they were shut down by 2K.
"My first proposal was about a little sister, it was playing as a little sister and it was much more horror-oriented pace and about vulnerability, closer to Thief frankly, but I was told no, we want it to be our Gears of War, this need to be a big shooter franchise with an emphasis on the shooter element, and so what I think of the protagonist of a shooter as is a big lumbering sort of porthole on a stick with guns sticking out in front like you’re almost a vehicle."
And he also wanted it to be above the sea or in space. What a wasted opportunity.
It's surprising the game turned out to be good with this guy at the helm. The combat mechanics were actually the biggest improvement in the sequel as much as he wouldn't want to hear that, everything else was inferior.
Chalgyr's Game Room writes:
I first came across Kieron Gillen’s insightful and brilliant five-page analysis of the atmospheric Robbing the Cradle level from Thief: Deadly Shadows. Since then, it has enabled me to play more games and pay deep attention (as well as appreciation) to the aesthetics and details of level design. Robbing the Cradle is considered one of the scariest levels in video games. In a game where stealth and steampunk is king, this level comes out of nowhere and completely catches the player off-guard, with what its survival horror feel, jump-scares and tense atmosphere. The level quickly became a fine example of excellent level design and as of 2015, it is one of the only two to have its own Wikipedia page (the other being Green Hill Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog). One of the primary designers of the level, Jordan Thomas, went on to create the equally unforgettable Fort Frolic chapter from Bioshock.
