Let me begin by stating: It is not unreasonable to compare this game to Thief Simulator. It should be considered a sequel/prequel to Thief Sim. And that's why this game feels mediocre - it feels like an open beta for Thief Sim 2, not an actual game to stand on it's own.

Besides a few gameplay tweaks and a new town, this is just a re-hash of Thief Sim, but worse in some ways. With every minor improvement, a feature that made the OG Thief Simulator was removed. Let me explain: Blatant examples of this involve the tools, vehicle thefts, and the hideout/"real estate" system.

The 1980's setting serves as an excuse to avoid having high tech gadgets and security systems from Thief Simulator. That's fine, a lot of those puzzles were pretty annoying, anyways. But - in AT80 there are a variety of properties to buy, and vehicles to steal - features that the Dev's have been making a big deal about - and what can you do with them? Well, nothing, really. Basic features from the first game such as placing objects for decoration, and vehicle storage/workshops are not available. Why?

Just browse the Discussions for this game, and you will come across many conversations inquiring about basic features that the audience from the first Thief Sim have come to expect which are simply missing, or dysfunctional in this game. Features that have been trickled out over the past year as "updates" are copy-pasted from the original game. It just doesn't have the kind of support or attitude toward actual development that one would expect.

With the official Thief Simulator 2 game slated to release Summer of 2023, a cynic could say this release suspiciously serves as a live test-bed for the "Thief Sim" franchise, and at worse is: 1) a cash grab, and 2) experimentation on the loyal following for a more action-oriented style of gameplay, while neglecting some of the unique aspects that made the first Thief Simulator game actually great.

It kinda makes you wonder... Did I get robbed buying this game? Well, overall, I don't think so, if you buy it on sale. If you're a hardcore kleptomaniac in need of a fix, it's an alright joint to plunder for less than $10. But I can't recommend it over Thief Simulator, and I'm certainly not giving any benefit of doubt to Playaway or their future releases. I just hope that whoever makes Thief Simulator 2 takes note and does something more substantial.

Let me begin by stating: It is not unreasonable to compare this game to Thief Simulator. It should be considered a sequel/prequel to Thief Sim. And that's why this game feels mediocre - it feels like an open beta for Thief Sim 2, not an actual game to stand on it's own. Besides a few gameplay tweaks and a new town, this is just a re-hash of Thief Sim, but worse in some ways. With every minor improvement, a feature that made the OG Thief Simulator was removed. Let me explain: Blatant examples of this involve the tools, vehicle thefts, and the hideout/"real estate" system. The 1980's setting serves as an excuse to avoid having high tech gadgets and security systems from Thief Simulator. That's fine, a lot of those puzzles were pretty annoying, anyways. But - in AT80 there are a variety of properties to buy, and vehicles to steal - features that the Dev's have been making a big deal about - and what can you do with them? Well, nothing, really. Basic features from the first game such as placing objects for decoration, and vehicle storage/workshops are not available. Why? Just browse the Discussions for this game, and you will come across many conversations inquiring about basic features that the audience from the first Thief Sim have come to expect which are simply missing, or dysfunctional in this game. Features that have been trickled out over the past year as "updates" are copy-pasted from the original game. It just doesn't have the kind of support or attitude toward actual development that one would expect. With the official Thief Simulator 2 game slated to release Summer of 2023, a cynic could say this release suspiciously serves as a live test-bed for the "Thief Sim" franchise, and at worse is: 1) a cash grab, and 2) experimentation on the loyal following for a more action-oriented style of gameplay, while neglecting some of the unique aspects that made the first Thief Simulator game actually great. It kinda makes you wonder... Did I get robbed buying this game? Well, overall, I don't think so, if you buy it on sale. If you're a hardcore kleptomaniac in need of a fix, it's an alright joint to plunder for less than $10. But I can't recommend it over Thief Simulator, and I'm certainly not giving any benefit of doubt to Playaway or their future releases. I just hope that whoever makes Thief Simulator 2 takes note and does something more substantial.