Thief Simulator 2 Xbox Review 7/10 "Out on the nick, again!" 🦸 @ULTGames #IndieGames #IndieGameDev #GameDev

The Thief Simulator games have been on my radar for a few years now. I played the original on Switch, and - whilst it was a flawed game - there was a bizarre moreish-ness and sense of fun to just, well… going out on the nick, quite frankly. 

This is a game made by one individual which is very commendable, but – as with a lot of 3D open-world titles made by incredibly small teams - also falls into the usual issues of overreaching its grasp in some areas - much like the Autobahn Police Simulator series does. 

However, games such as these often stand out for me and become real pleasures to play.

Yes, they may not be smooth, tight or polished experiences - but there’s a vision, charm and idiosyncrasy that makes these sorts of games a very memorable experience that more often than not resonate with me as a player.

Thief Simulator 2 on PS5 | First 20 Minutes Of Gameplay 🕵️ @ULTGames #IndieGame #GameDev #IndieGameDev

Rich begins his career in burglary by playing Thief Simulator 2 on PS5. This game plunges you into the shadowy world of professional thievery. 

This first-person stealth simulation game lets you experience the life of a master thief. 

Starting with petty thefts, you gradually gain skills and tools to tackle more complex and lucrative heists. 

The game features two expansive locations, including residential areas and high-security places like banks and resorts.

You'll need to observe, plan, and execute your heists while avoiding detection. Use a variety of tools, from crowbars to high-tech gadgets, to bypass security systems. The game offers both a story mode and a free mode, providing around 20 hours of gameplay.

Can you outsmart the law and become the ultimate thief?

Ready to test your stealth skills? 🎮🕵️‍♂️

Thief Simulator 2 | Preview 🦸‍♂️ @ThiefSimulator #IndieGames #GameDev

The next release in the ‘Thief’ (not that one) series, Thief Simulator 2 follows PlayWay S.A. 2018’s Thief Simulator and – my personal favourite - 2022’s American Theft ‘80s.

This 2023 entry sees you again returning to popping into various locations – uninvited - and going out on the nick. Whilst the game does not yet have a solid release date beyond 2023 (PlayWay S.A.’s release schedule is intense), it builds on the illicit thrills of the previous two entries by including various abilities, items and environmental hazards such as police officers, sleep gas, traffic spikes, ATM hacking, drones, dynamite and weather factors such as rain – to hide the thief’s movements.

The series has previously given me a lot of tension-fuelled thrills, and I’m especially a fan of the way in which the games aren’t afraid to have fun with themselves. As far as I’m concerned, this is an underdog series of games that always manages to deliver idiosyncratic fun with a touch of craziness, and I’m looking forward to diving into this next chapter!