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Jan 22, 2004
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Title: Retrieval of the Soul (version 1.1)
Author: Istvan Varga
Contact info: istvan_v@mailbox.hu
Date of release: Jan 22, 2004

Description:

My first attempt at level editing, a simple mansion mission where you need to
steal 'The Mystic's Soul', which - after taking from the 'Bonehoard' and
selling it - is now in a nobleman's collection of valuable antiquities.
The story takes place between the events of Thief 1 and Thief 2; at this time
the Mechanists were not widely known yet, although some of their earlier
inventions - such as simple security devices - were already in use by a few
nobles who could afford buying them. This job should be an useful training
for a similar quest later in time, stealing the Lost City treasures from
Bram Gervaisius' larger and well guarded mansion.

Well, as you can see, the 'story' is quite simple, and you should not expect
really fancy architecture (this is a newbie mission after all), however, the
gameplay is reasonably challenging and fun (at least I find so, your mileage
may vary), so it might be worth giving a try ...

Briefing: no

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* Play Information *

Game: Thief 2: The Metal Age version 1.18
Mission Title: Retrieval of the Soul
File name: miss23.mis
Difficulty Settings: yes
Equipment store: yes
Map / automap: yes / no
New graphics: yes (mostly from Thief 1)
New sounds: yes (from Thief 1)
EAX support: yes
Multi language support: no

Briefing: no

Difficulty level info: Normal, Hard, Expert

Notes:

The "no (or max. 5) knockout" objectives on Hard and Expert limit the use of
the blackjack only. Gas arrows and mines do not count as knockouts, and will
not fail the mission.

Blackjacking was made more difficult; you need to hit the head of an enemy
for a successful knockout. Also, blackjacking guards from the front with the
'lean forward' trick is now very difficult, if possible at all.
Finally, it is not possible to blackjack sleepers.

* Construction *

Base: From scratch.
Build Time: A few hundred hours, or so.

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* Loading information *

This mission can be played with DarkLoader.

* Changes in version 1.1 *

* turrets in attic should now open correctly even if player enters
the room by sneaking very slowly and sticking to the left wall;
still not sure if there are more ways of exploiting the engine
to bypass the trigger mechanism
Note: there may be a similar problem in the kitchen: when the player
enters the room, a dinner bell should sound, and one of the servants
should start patrolling, pick up the tray, and leave the kitchen;
if that does not happen, try leaving and entering the kitchen again
(moving faster may help, particularly on fast machines).
* another change to attic turrets: vision cones have been adjusted to
reduce the risk of shooting at player even with the visibility gem
being completely dark; they still shoot at very close range, but
this 'night vision' is now limited to a slightly shorter distance
* tweaked the vision and hearing of some guards for improved and more
challenging gameplay
* the guard in the NE corner of the game room has his purse on the
right side so that it is easier to notice now
* the goblets in dining room are now loot instead of junk; also
changed the value of some loot items in various places. The total
amount of loot is still 1400, but it is distributed differently.
* extended crypt areas in basement - more places to explore, and more
game play
* on Expert difficulty one of the wooden boards barring the entrance
to spider room is removed, so it is now possible to enter - by
crouching - without breaking boards. This improves support for
'ghost' playing style.
* in basement room under kitchen the material type of noisy junk
items (canister and pan) placed in footlockers has been changed
from metal to ceramic. Not as realistic, but makes it possible to
throw the items away without alerting the guard more than level 1,
and improves support for 'ghost' playing style.
* improved the hearing and vision of zombie in secret crypt - should
be more challenging to avoid now.
* tweaked patrol routes to reduce problems related to pathfinding and AIs
getting stuck on the top of objects. There are still a few places where
the AI can get confused, such as the double doors on the first and second
floor, where guards tend to unexpectedly turn back for a moment - following
them in bright light can be dangerous.
* made it possible to climb back to the courtyard from outside the outer walls
* gamesys fixes: skulls and ribcages no longer need to be 'used'
twice in order to throw them
* minor changes to voice schemas

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* Copyright *

This level is (c) by Istvan Varga , 2003, 2004

Distribution of this level is allowed as long as it is free and the package is kept intact. You may not include this level to any map pack without my permission. No one may edit and re-distribute this mission without my express permission.

This level was not made and is not supported by Looking Glass Studios or Eidos Interactive.