Thief

The gameplay focuses on stealth, using shadows to stay hidden. Garrett can take on guards in combat, but stealth is his preferred method. He uses contextual button presses to dodge attacks and place blackjack hits at the right moments. The system rewards careful observation of guard patrols, timing your movements carefully to avoid detection.

Throughout the game, you'll find loot by exploring the city, completing side missions, or visiting shops. Side missions reward valuable equipment and unique items hidden within paintings, books, or safes. You'll need to use a new mechanic, "switching" switches, to access these secrets. The lockpicking minigame requires finding the sweet spot by moving the lockpick around.

Between missions, Garrett can find additional loot, and optional side missions offer lucrative opportunities for quick burglaries or self-contained missions. Visiting shops allows you to stock up on equipment, such as arrows, food items, or smoke bombs. You can also purchase one-time upgrades or special abilities, like a swoop move or focus.

The game features several difficulty modes, including options to disable certain mechanics or increase the challenge. The PlayStation 4 version uses the DualShock 4's light bar to emphasize the effect of being in the shadows or exposed to light.

Besides the main campaign, there is a challenge mode that reuses mission areas with special objectives. The goal is to achieve high scores on leaderboards by completing these challenges within time limits.