\n — @adurdin is thinking aloud

A completely dark carpeted room: sheer bliss!

“After the light, the second most important aesthetic character in the game is the floor. Of how many games could you write that sentence? You’re always acutely aware of what you’re standing on. Tiled, stone floors make up most of the streets and buildings you encounter, loudly registering your clip-clop footsteps.… But then, there it is: carpet. Sweet, blessed carpet. On carpet Garrett can run, jump and be merry, producing nothing more than a soft scuffing. Sneaking up on the enemy is a cinch, picking their pockets and being long gone before they’ve a clue you were ever there. Oh, heavens, a completely dark carpeted room: sheer bliss.”

John Walker eloquently captures the character and the genius of Thief: The Dark Project in this retrospective written last year for Eurogamer. Every time I play Thief or Thief II, they jump right back to the top of my favourite games list.