Nupraptor on 18/8/2005 at 05:44

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While we're on the subject: I notice null mentioned "House of Leaves" as one of his inspirations for the level. I hadn't read it the first time I played TDS, but now that I have, I can clearly see the parallels. And what an excellent book to base it on, as well.

I'm replaying the game once again and let me tell you - my earlier impressions about the Cradle losing its scare-factor on repeat playthroughs? Yeah, those vanish if you haven't played it for a while. It's not nearly as bad as the first time, but it certainly is tense. No other level in the game makes me avoid being seen quite so fervently, even now when I know exactly how to handle the puppets.

Fish-face on 21/8/2005 at 17:01

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Actually, there were secret passageways, mostly reachable with the climbing gloves. Unfortunately, IMO they were all quite weak, feeling very "placed;" something the developers had inserted, rather than the owners of the building had ordered.

Holywhippet on 12/9/2005 at 01:14

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The inmate zombies in the cradle are finite in number. I think the amount changes based on the difficultly level but once they go down they stay down - and each inmate is bound to a certain location. AFAIK they will patrol that area (prescripted) unless disturbed - much like an other AI in the game.

For killing them, the simplest method is to drop a holy water puddle, stand behind it and attract their attention. As soon as they enter it they are dead. One trick I tried is using oil, when they trip over I used a fire arrow to set it on fire - I was hoping to set them ablaze but it barely does anything to them.

C-nith on 3/4/2006 at 06:17

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I've been playing the Thief series ever since the first game, and I've absolutely loved them! (Even though I don't think Thief 3 works too well, being created both for Xbox and PC at the same time... a bit clumsy gameplay, too big fonts and the code is probably not optimized for the PC either). I remember playing through Thief 1, over and over and over again. I simply couldn't get enough of it :D

Even though this praise is long over due, I felt that I just had to comment on the lvl that has impressed me the most, in all the time I've been a nutty gamer (13 years of hardcore gaming so far :tsktsk:). Even though its been about 1½ years since I last played Thief "3", the memory of The Shalebridge Cradle still sends shivers down my spine! It's hard to remember details after all this time, but some still remain.

Like me not wanting to get up from the cellar cuz it felt too creepy. I too snuck around like a coward dog, and I remember cursing the metal stairs for making so much bloody noise, when there was this dreadful... something something out there, ready to do unspeakable things to me. I too would sit in the shadows for minutes at a time, just trying to pick out any small noise that would reveal the whereabouts of my enemy. Surely there had to be something lurking out there.
As I approached the attic, my heart pounded ever faster. When I heard the loud banging noise, I ran away, far far away, and waited for this unknown entity that was going to come down and end my life. Nothing came and I crept slowly up towards the attic again with a pounding heart. I hardly dared to open the door, and when I did open it, I immediately ran down again, expecting some big hulky beast hot on my tail... but nothing.

The next thing I remember, is being at the front desk (I believe), sitting very still watching shadows move by. It was the shadows of the staff I think. Finally I caught my first glimpse of something that was "alive", and my blood froze to ice. It was as if my built up tension and fears were released all at once in this moment, when I saw one of the puppets.

As with most others that have posted here, I couldn't wait to get out of the lvl, cuz it was just too much to bare. Thief isn't like most other first person games, where you're a human tank that can annihilate anything that is unfortunate enough to cross your path. You're quite vulnerable if you don't get the first jump on things, and that really comes to its right in this awesome level! The way the enemies chase you down, when they spot you, is as if it was taken out of a nightmare. Also the sense that the cradle is aware of your presence is so damn creepy! It's as if it's saying "Oh, but you're not getting out of here :ebil:"

I've only played this level once, but it has left quite an impression. I wish any gamer out there could get the same experience, because it really is a shining jewel, considering the thousands of game level's I've played through, in different games. I'm currently playing through Thief 3 again, just for the sake of trying, and possibly recording, my way through the Cradle again :eek: A sense of dread already fills me, when I think of it :D I think I'm gonna have a hard time walking down into that cellar again, let alone face that ominous Cradle facade :wot: The surreal loneliness, somehow reminds me a bit of the ancient game "The 7th guest". A creepy allknowing entity lurks, and you can't quite make out, how far you have to go to get out of the situation.

Again: Awesome job to Null and the others who helped make this level. You should really feel proud for achieving something this special!

Hmm... another mission that was also a bit creepy springs to mind. It's the one where you sneak about in a house, where the husband has just died, and the widow is crying. It has such a sad atmosphere about it, and it felt a bit creepy as well. Paintings stared at you etc. The hag was also a creepy lady I remember.

I also remember the undead hammerites from, mainly Thief 1... my god they were creepy with their madened curses. They seemed to be the tanks of Thief 1.

theBlackman on 3/4/2006 at 19:17

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Drop or throw the bottle down, or at the beastie.

DEAD< DEAD< DEAD. If hit directly, permanent bye bye. If walks into middle of puddle, permanent bye bye. If just the edge, may survive.