Thief

Garrett can engage in combat with guards, but his primary method of dealing with them is through stealth. He must observe guard patrols, wait for a good moment to strike, perform a takedown, and drag the body into darkness before someone sees it. The takedown system is context-based, requiring a specific button press.

Unlike previous games, there is no loot requirement to complete missions, but Garrett can still steal valuable items that are converted into gold. He can also find hidden items by using a new mechanic: Garrett grabs an object and slowly moves his hand until he feels a hidden switch. The lockpicking minigame requires finding the sweet spot by moving the lockpick around.

Between missions, Garrett can find loot in the city by exploring, but taking on optional side missions is more lucrative. These missions reward Garrett with valuable items and equipment to interact with the environment. He also has two magical abilities: The Swoop move allows him to quickly move forward, while Focus slows down time and provides useful perks.

The game features difficulty modes that can be changed at any time during a new game. Players can also disable various interface-related options, such as loot glow or prompts when approaching interactive items. There is also a challenge mode that re-uses mission areas with special objectives, adding a leaderboard high-score element.

One notable feature of the PlayStation 4 version is the use of the DualShock 4 gamepad's light bar to emphasize the effect of being in the shadow or exposed to light.