McTaffer on 28/12/2018 at 21:55
This was a great mission, but for the fact that there was essentially no story. I think it could have been significantly improved if even a couple of the frobinert books/scrolls had something on them; just enough information to get players more invested. The fact that the mansion is so well designed provides a certain level of investment on its own, but a little bit more story could make this mission a true classic.
The opera glasses near the start are cleverly hidden, so props for that.
Also, vfig has already pointed this out, but those fireplace grates really need fixing once you're allowed to put out a patch. A frobinert tag is all they need, but it will make a big difference in immersion.
<Username> on 9/1/2019 at 15:28
When I read the mission was only going to take about an hour, I decided to ironman it on my first attempt. No saving at all.
This was the most fun I had with a mission in this contest so far! :thumb: I was constantly on edge, knowing one or two mistakes could end my run. I actually got caught once - by a guard on the ground floor I hadn't heard and who opened a door right as I was crouching in beside it. Woah, that adrenaline rush as I jumped to my feet and took out my sword as he was charging at me, screaming bloody murder. It has been a while since I was this tense during a playthrough. Often fan missions are so long, difficult and filled with deadly traps you have no choice but to save often. Shadow Play managed to be both challenging and doable.
Finished on Normal in 1 hour and 13 minutes with 2063 of 2910 total loot.
smithpd on 14/1/2019 at 15:11
This is a beautiful and fun mission. Thank you!
I finished it on Expert, ghosting, with 2311 of 2910 loot. The loot was tough. I went through it twice, taking 2:45.
Near the beginning and end, there an open window with pipes below. I could not find a way to get up there. Please spoil me.
Twist on 14/1/2019 at 18:05
Quote Posted by smithpd
Near the beginning and end, there an open window with pipes below. I could not find a way to get up there. Please spoil me.
Go to the top of the stairs there, then turn and look back towards the open window. Now look closely at the walls near you. Depending on your gamma setting it might be hard to see, but there are ledges on either side of this area (notice the two different wall textures). At the top of the stairs the ledge is about eye-height. Just mantle up to the right-side ledge and make your way to the window.
smithpd on 14/1/2019 at 19:05
Thanks, Twist. That was pretty obvious if you know what to look for. Loot is now 2346.
Mat99 on 14/1/2019 at 22:50
WOW, what a beautiful mansion's mission :) Level design is just outstanding. Interesting things in almost every corridor and room in the mansion :) Outside also very well crafted and as Establishment says: "roof provided a splendid view" ;D LOL :)) Superb work man! I thought that nothing would surprise me after playing the other contest's missions, but as usual - next mission, next surprises in a good way ;)
Took me about 2h and 17min with zero blackjacks/zero kills. Found 2909/2910 of loot ;DD Probably one, very last, single coin of gold is my challenge now ;) Of course don't tell me where it may be (not in the fountain ;P) but to confirm - I have: 1624 of gold now. Does full loot describes: 1625? As for loot - it's not super, extremely hard, it's just Demanding (by uppercase "D"). You need to watch, look, think, observe, and then about 90% should be yours easily.
Not even one single spider in a place where it should be? :| And also I was expecting something to blown up... didn't find what it might be :(
Wormrat on 5/2/2019 at 03:27
Expert, 43 minutes, 2195/2910 loot. A straightforward mansion robbery, but never boring and with zero fluff. I ghosted because 1) the readme suggested a short mission, so I figured it wouldn't be tedious, and 2) because it seemed like it would help me appreciate the room connections and guard placement. And it did! Guards on the upper floors are particularly well-placed, and there are lots of tempting spots to use water/moss arrows, but without many to spare. Good design IMO. I need to replay it, but this time knocking everyone out and scouring the place for more loot.
Renault on 10/2/2019 at 07:15
This was a great mission, I really loved the simplicity and elegance of it. When's the last time anyone played a mission with effectively zero readables? Just straight thieving and sneaking here, pretty awesome. I was able to ghost it and not use any equipment, and even though it was difficult it wasn't frustrating or annoying. Well done. Finished in about an hour but really didn't want it to end.
Nightwalker on 13/2/2019 at 21:41
I've just finished this one and it was a lot of fun to explore! I just wish there had been a story line as that would have been the icing on the cake. Thanks very much for this little gem. :thumb:
DirkBogan on 22/2/2019 at 05:21
Replaying this mission, I think I've realised one key element that I find so engaging about this FM as regards the atmosphere -- it looks and feels the way I fondly remember Thief TDP with rose-tinted glasses, rather than the way it actually is with all its OldDark/1998 limitations. I remember the OMs with the thick shadows, angles and ornamentation that Shadow Play actually has... when I replay them, these features are conspicuously absent.
For this reason alone, capturing the nostalgia and remembered magic of TDP without being constraint by its dated reality, this FM is definitely my pick for best of the contest. I think it most precisely captures the criteria of the contest as I envisioned it. If this FM gets penalised in the vote for its lack of an explicit narrative, it will be an absolute crime -- I found it more evocative than nearly every other submission, an it achieved this without a single piece of clunky exposition. Bravo, Schlock.