Ok I have recently aqcuired a $20 gift certificate for Future Shop. I browsed for a bit and realized you can’t get much for $20. I went by the bargain bin and found Thief and Deux Ex for $14.99 each. Of course I ran into a dilemma, I’ve heard good things about both. And while I was debating I was told they were closing and I had to get going (really!). So, I’m leaving it up to you dopers to make the choice for me. Which should I get? Which did you like more?
I’m disapointed. Thought this thread would be about some strange event – was it an an ordinary theft, or… an act of God!?
Do you have a good net connection? If so, forget both of those.
Spend the extra 5 bucks and buy yourself a copy of Counter-Strike. You can then download Day of Defeat for free. Its like getting 2 (great) games for 1.
Both Deus Ex and Thief are great games. Go buy them both.
If you really have to decide go with Deus Ex.
Half-life(Counterstrike is a mod for it) is a great game as well. If you like multiplayer I would go with it. Currently the only games I even play are natural selection(another mod for half-life and star control 2.
Star control 2 you should download because it is free.
If you’re gonna get Half-Life then I would highly reccomend downloading the Natural Selection mod. It’s a genrebreaking game (mixes First Person Shooter and Real Time Strategy) and is damn fun to play.
Ignore those heathens. Get Thief.
Depends on what you like. I’ve played both through several times.
Deus Ex has a neat story line, lots of things to do, rpg-like upgrades (both skill and cybernetic), computer hacking, neato weapons…but isn’t particularly challenging. Sure, you can sneak around, but it’s too easy to just go on a killing rampage. Plus, the enemy AI is downright stupid and forgetful. Set off an alarm and the guards will forget you’re there after 30 seconds if you go hide. Once you get upgraded enough, you’ll be unstoppable. Still a damn fun game though.
Thief has slightly worse graphics (IMHO), but a really great gritty medieval atmosphere. There is no rpg-like element to the game, though. The character you start with is exactly like the character you have at the end of the game. You get access to cooler equipment later on, but that’s it. The game is also heavily stacked against you. You are weak, weak, weak in hand to hand combat. The enemy AI is ruthless and will hunt you down and kill you if you make a mistake. You get very good at hiding very quickly. Alternately, if the gameplay is not your cup of tea, you’ll get frustrated and stop playing very quckly. 
So, if you like playing games methodically, soaking in the atmosphere and having the feeling of outwitting the computer, go for Thief. If you like action and character building more, go for Deus Ex. I like both, personally.
My personal preference is for DX. There’s just as much hiding, sneaking, climbing, and there are rocket launchers and flamethrowers for when you get caught.
Thief is the greatest game ever. It puts the fear in atmosphere. Unlike robertliguori, I liked it because there are no rocket launchers or flamethrowers. It’s just you, your wits, and little else.
Besides, I don’t know about DX, but with Thief there are dozens of fan-made missions available, some of them as good as the originals, that can extend your playing time many times over.
Deus Ex, no question.
I can’t say enough good things about it. It is increadably immersive. The storyline is interesting, but more importantly, it is well intergrated into the gameplay. You have an increadable amount of freedom in the game and every problem has quite a few different solutions, and they often have different outcomes. Theif is great fun, but like so many games it still feels like you are just going through the motions of a pre-written story. In Deus Ex, you really start to feel like you are the character. You start caring about things in the game other than just trying to beat it. Deus Ex will get into your head.
Given the choice between the two, I’d pick Deus Ex.
While I did like Thief, I felt that it was too dang short (and the final couple of levels drove me bonkers, but maybe that’s just me). Granted, I hadn’t thought about looking into fan-made levels as Spoonbender has suggested, so ymmv. DX, however, has a single-player campaign that lasts and lasts. My brother and I still make UNATCO jokes.
Thief has no multiplayer, and Deus Ex has a deathmatch mode that was tacked on in a patch due to complaints from players and is quite bad.
However, if you get a chance, get System Shock 2. It’s by the makers of Thief, has an incredible atmosphere, and customizable characters - and the multiplayer is co-op!
No it isn’t. It was made in Australia(:D) using the same engine. It was published by Looking Glass though.
Was it really? I’ll shut my mouth then. But you cannot deny its greatness!
I’m not, I’m bragging. It’s Australian! 
When each game came out, I had to make the same decision. Downloaded the demos and ended up preferring Deus Ex. Thief may be a good game, but I have no regrets getting DX. In fact, it’s probably my favorite single player game ever. Definitely the most immersive video game world I’ve ever seen.
OK, I ended up with Thief. I’m on the second level and I’m going insane… Can you kill those zombie things? ARGH!
However I enjoy the dark creepy nature of it. I have yet to get bored of finding ways to sneak up on guards and club them. And hand to hand is weak, super weak. Its annoying even. But it makes you more driven to find a soultion that doesn’t cause a drawn out battle. So in other words I like it.
I’ve also found a friend with Deus Ex so I’ll try the game too, don’t you worry. If I like it enough I’ll pop down and buy it as well and from what you all have said I think I will. Thanks for your opinions.
Oh, and about Counter Strike. I played it for the first time just after I had checked out the two games at Future Shop. Kind of an odd coincidence doncha think? Anyways, I liked it but I’ll hold off on buying it. Simply because if I did buy it, I’d never do anything but play it ;).
You probably figured this out already but the zombies are vulnerable to holy water. You can arm your water arrows with them.
Yeap, thanks. Nothing like the sound of zombies exploding to end the day ;).
Oh, and welcome to the boards!
Also, Zombies are slow enough that you can just avoid them most of the time.
… wait for Down in the Bonehoard!
So 'fess up, Wearia, did you still have clean underwear after your very first encounter with the living dead?
This game, played at night, alone, with a decent sound system, is still the most immersive game I’ve ever played. Possibly tied for first by the original Aliens vs Predator. I found m’self awfully uncomfortable sitting with my back to a dark room after playing both of these for more than about 1/2 hour, or so. Very different gameplay styles, but (at least for the Marine part of AvP) very similar sense of paranoia comes on you quick. Boring, they ain’t.
And ban the cats/dogs/ferrets from the room, if not the house, while you do this. Trust me.
Downloadable fan-made missions for Thief and the sequel make for some serious replayability, so to speak. If anyone following all this is interested (and unable to track some down on your own) the site to google for is (IIRC) The Circle of Shadow and Stone. All your downloading wants in one spot.
[sub]Lost the URL a while back, but I’m pretty sure I’ve got it backed up someplace 'round here.[/sub]
System Shock 2 was also most enjoyable, specifically the way your character is “customizable” as far as upgrading of skills/stats. Not yet played Deus Ex, though it sounds as if I may have to track it down, soon.
Oh, yeah, slortar? One could argue that the character you start Thief with is not exactly the same character you end with.
[sub]Sorry, I’m a geek. Couldn’t resist. But I’ll say no more for fear of spoiling what was, for me, one of the most surprising “plot twists” in any game.[/sub]
