OtherSide Entertainment's upcoming game is a four-player PvPvE immersive sim that feels like a multiplayer version of Thief or Dishonored. Titled Thick As Thieves, the game's first trailer was revealed during The Game Awards, showcasing its intense competitive heist gameplay and four unique playable characters.
In Thick As Thieves, players take on the role of one of four thieves, each with distinct playstyles and backstories. These characters embark on missions in a city set in an alternate history of early modern northern UK, where technology and magic coexist. Various factions control different areas of the city, and players must choose which faction their thief will align with. Despite being a multiplayer game, Thick As Thieves is a living world that reacts to players' choices, ensuring a dynamic narrative experience.
"No two missions are ever the same," said lead designer David McDonough during a preview event before The Game Awards. Co-founder Warren Spector added that the game is designed to capture the essence of playing Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), but with a faster pace than the genre's usual slow-burn approach. Spector noted that while games like Dishonored or Deus Ex encourage methodical problem-solving, Thick As Thieves pushes players to make quick, strategic decisions under pressure.
Spector also emphasized that Thick As Thieves is not a game you "play and finish." Instead, it aims to replicate the feeling of an ongoing D&D campaign. Unlike traditional D&D, which is heavily combat-focused, Thick As Thieves is "fundamentally not about fighting," though combat and takedowns are part of the gameplay. Skilled players can complete missions without being detected or causing a stir.
During the preview event, attendees were shown an exclusive gameplay video of Thick As Thieves, highlighting a mission from start to finish. The blend of technology and magic in the game closely resembles Dishonored, while the intense player-versus-player dynamics evoke the excitement of games like Deathloop or Hood: Outlaws & Legends. In the mission, a thief attempted to steal an artifact from a mansion, navigating challenges from both the environment and other players. The thief's resourcefulness, such as re-locking a safe to deceive rivals and checking for hidden opponents, showcased the game's strategic depth.
As someone who struggles with intense PvP moments, I'm curious to see how I'll fare in Thick As Thieves, where three other players are constantly trying to disrupt my plans. However, I'm eager to learn more about the game's narrative elements. How does a multiplayer world evolve based on player choices? How does the story unfold in this dynamic setting?
OtherSide Entertainment has plenty of time to address these questions, as Thick As Thieves is set to release on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC in 2026. The game will support cross-play at launch.
Source link: https://www.gamespot.com
