Outside of a VR game that launched last year, it looks like the Thief series is on ice for now. So what’s the next best thing? It might be a spiritual successor in the form of Thick as Thieves from veteran producer and Deus Ex creator Warren Spector’s studio, OtherSide Entertainment. A single-player and co-op game that’s all about the art of the steal, it’s one of several new titles launching in early access next month, and it’ll cost just $5 to get in on the ground floor.
Set in an alternate timeline and taking place in the city of Kilcairn, Thick as Thieves will offer an introductory campaign set across two dynamic replayable maps when it launches on May 20. The game will feature 16 missions and six pieces of gear to collect, and OtherSide is aiming to develop additional content based on player feedback.
Billed as a stealth-action game where magic and technology have begun to collide, players will aim to join the Thieves Guild by taking part in high-stakes heists. Each of the two maps features a mix of hazards, ranging from steampunk surveillance systems to ghostly security guards haunting the corridors. Solo play is an option, but with a partner in crime, players can coordinate their efforts to distract and take down guards. Once you’ve gotten your loot and have successfully escaped, you can cash in and purchase new gear for your next burglary.
When it was originally revealed, Thick as Thieves focused on PvPvE gameplay and pitted thieves against the world and each other. Earlier this year, OtherSide confirmed that it was switching things up as it believed that players would have more fun playing as allies instead. The studio says that the shift to two-player co-op and single-player allowed it to strengthen the moment-to-moment action of Thick as Thieves.
The PC requirements are also quite modest, allowing the game to run on a wide range of systems.
Thick as Thieves PC requirements
Minimum
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4570 CPU @ 3.2GHz
- Memory: 12GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
- DirectX version 12
- Storage: 10GB available space (SSD required)
Recommended
- OS: Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Core i7-8700 CPU @ 3.2GHz
- Memory: 16GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 2070 8GB
- DirectX version 12
- Storage: 10GB (SSD required)
If pilfering a highly guarded constable’s station isn’t your cup of tea, there are several other early access games to check out in May. Dead as Disco has rhythmic combat, Alabaster Dawn looks like a love letter to classic JRPGs, and Paralives looks set to offer a cozy life-sim experience.