History YMMV / ThiefDeadlyShadows

* FridgeBrilliance: [[spoiler:During the end-game apocalypse when you're weaving between Gamall, City watchmen, Hammerites, Pagans and Gamall's stone servants, this troper noticed that it took 4 hits from a Pagan mage to kill a statue, while it only took 2 hits from a Hammerite mage. And why is that? Because the Pagans are focused entirely on nature, their magic would work best on plants and trees. Hell, to enter Gamall's lair you need to find an amulet to destroy some roots that are blocking a door. Pagans are entirely about nature, and the Hammerites are entirely about stoneworking and building. If there's anything the Hammers understand far better than the Pagans, it's stone. Not only do they know how to shape it and craft it, they know all too well how to break it.]]

And there's not enough context to know whether they collected it before or after she died.

* FridgeHorror: The Cradle is full of plenty of regular horror, but then a ghost named [[CreepyChild Lauryl]] asks you to find and dispose of a vial of her own blood. Okay, fine, Lauryl is trapped in this place and needs a -- wait, why would the staff even ''have'' that?! Even worse: [[{{Squick}} it's still warm]].

** FridgeLogic: You have to remove every trace of Lauryl from the Cradle before her soul can be free (any artifacts left behind help the building to 'remember' her). Why don't you have to remove or destroy her portrait?

* FridgeHorror: The Cradle is full of plenty of regular horror, but then a ghost named [[CreepyChild Lauryl]] asks you to find [[spoiler:a vial of her own blood that was collected when she was alive]], to help her escape. Okay, fine, Lauryl is trapped in this place and needs a - wait, why would the staff have been [[spoiler:collecting ''blood'']] from the orphans?! Even worse: [[{{Squick}} it's still warm]].
** One of the Cradle's patients was [[spoiler: a MadArtist admitted for killing his models if they wouldn't keep still while he was painting them.]] Not only is there a portrait of [[CreepyChild Lauryl]] in the attic, but you can find [[spoiler: Lauryl's ''[[{{Squick}} nightgown]]'' hidden inside the brick wall of his cell.]]

* GameBreaker[=/=]LordBritishPostulate : The last part has you sneaking past the [[HumanoidAbomination monstrous form]] of the BigBad several times to set in place various items. She is 100% invincible... but enough oil flasks thrown to create a large slick WILL [[NarmCharm make her slip, fall, and apparently become unconscious]] (if you lure her to slip on the slick). [[CrowningMomentOfFunny Oops!]] Though that's not actual unconsciousness; she breaks her neck, but since she can't die she just lies there blinking and occasionally going invisible but otherwise immobilized. This bug-related trick can be pulled off on an inclined part of the street in Auldale, or even better, you can do this at the docks and make her ''fall into the ocean''.

* CompleteMonster: [[TheCorrupter The Hag]], [[BigBad Gamall]], is a legendary SerialKiller and [[WouldHurtAChild murderer of children]] who has been killing [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld for centuries]], [[GenuineHumanHide ripping the skin off her victims and wearing it as her own]] to [[ImmortalityImmorality maintain her immortality]]; this also allows her to take the forms of her victims. A former member of the Keepers, Gamall desires to destroy the organization as well as to learn all of its secrets on glyph magic. In order to re-infiltrate the Keepers and gain their knowledge, Gamall murders a little girl named Lauryl to take her appearance. Once inside, she studies under Interpreter Caduca, eventually murdering the woman so she could be promoted to her teacher’s position. When Gamall’s {{glamour fail|ure}}s in front of the Keepers, she slaughters several of them in a rage, despite most of them fleeing from her. She later kills and steals the skin of Garret’s long-time friend [[spoiler:Artemus]] and then strangles [[spoiler:First Keeper Orland]] to death after the latter [[RedemptionEqualsDeath tries to redeem himself]]. Unlike other {{Big Bad}}s, Gamall [[ItsAllAboutMe acts purely out of self-interest]].

* FridgeHorror: The Cradle is full of plenty of regular horror, but then a ghost asks you to find [[spoiler:a vial of her own blood that was collected when she was alive]], to help her escape. Okay, fine, ghost is trapped in this place and needs a - wait, why would the staff have been [[spoiler:collecting ''blood'']] from the orphans?! Even worse: [[{{Squick}} it's still warm]].

* GoodBadBugs: You can, without warning, start to crouch-float all around if you try to jump or interact with certain objects. Up to the player to ultimately decide if this is hilarious or ''downright annoying'' during stealth-based missions. Fortunately, [[GameBreakingBug there's a way to escape the otherwise game-breaking glitch]], simply equip and un-equip your bow and arrow, until Garret stops hovering.

* SceneryGorn: The atmosphere and lighting effects of some of the levels, including the sinister ambiance, ''is just gorgeously immersive''. Fairly close to state-of-the-art for its time. In fact, many gamers have drawn attention to it, pondering if [[{{Creator/FrictionalGames}} Frictional Games]] used ''Deadly Shadows'' as inspiration for their critically acclaimed survival horror ''[[{{VideoGame/AmnesiaTheDarkDescent}} Amnesia: The Dark Descent]]''.

* VindicatedByHistory: For some time, ''Deadly Shadows'' was generally perceived as the weakest of the series by the fanbase due to simplified gameplay elements, various unpatched bugs, and levels cut into sections due to console limitations. Over a decade later, the immensely negative fan reaction towards [[VideoGame/Thief2014 the reboot]], the digital re-release of the series on Steam and GOG.com, and fan modifications like [[http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143659 Thief 3 Gold]] and [[http://www.moddb.com/mods/thief-3-sneaky-upgrade Sneaky Upgrade]] fixing many of the issues fans had with the game have given it a new appreciation.

* HellIsThatNoise:
** The bizarre ambiance of the Cradle makes ''VideoGame/ThiefTheDarkProject'''s Maw feel downright comfortable.
** The [[spoiler:statue "golems"]], ''especially'' when they find you.
--> '''CRUSH AND KILL AND CRUSH AND KILL AND SMASH AND KILL AND SMASH...!!!'''

* CharacterDerailment: One of the bigger problems the game has is [[OutOfCharacterMoment Garret's eagerness to aid the Keepers]] and his overall faction status, i.e, his current standing with the religious organisations of the Hammers and Pagans. If it wasn't made transparently clear - the master thief of the first two games ''cares nothing for all three cults.'' The latter two are nothing personal, their wrath at being burgled is merely collateral damage that comes with the profession. Yet Deadly Shadows will have you play errand boy to try and keep within their good favor. [[BrokenBase Some fans liked this idea, others hated it]], feeling Garret should only concern himself with his trade - his reputation in the Thieves Guild and his fellow criminals.

* CompleteMonster: [[TheCorrupter The Hag]], [[BigBad Gamall]], is a legendary SerialKiller and [[WouldHurtAChild murderer of children]] who has been killing [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld for centuries]], [[GenuineHumanHide ripping the skin off her victims and wearing it as her own]] to [[ImmortalityImmorality maintain her immortality]]; this also allows her to take the forms of her victims. A former member of the Keepers, Gamall desires to destroy the organization as well as to learn all of its secrets on glyph magic. In order to re-infiltrate the Keepers and gain their knowledge, Gamall murders a little girl named Lauryl to take her appearance. Once inside, she studies under Interpreter Caduca, eventually murdering the woman so she could be promoted to her teacher’s position. When Gamall’s {{glamour fail|ure}}s in front of the Keepers, she slaughters several of them in a rage, despite most of them fleeing from her. She later kills and steals the skin of Garret’s long-time friend [[spoiler:Artemus]] and then strangles [[spoiler:First Keeper Orland]] to death after the latter [[RedemptionEqualsDeath tries to redeem himself]]. Unlike the previous {{Big Bad}}s of the series, who were a WellIntentionedExtremist and KnightTemplar, Gamall [[ItsAllAboutMe acts purely out of self-interest]].

* SceneryGorn: The atmosphere and lighting effects of some of the levels, including the sinister ambiance, ''is just gorgeously immersive''. Fairly close to state-of-the-art for its time. In fact, many gamers have drawn attention to it, pondering if Frictional Games used Deadly Shadows as inspiration for their critically acclaimed survival horror ''[[{{VideoGame/AmnesiaTheDarkDescent}} Amnesia: The Dark Descent]]''.

* CharacterDerailment: One of the bigger problems the game has is [[OutOfCharacterMoment Garret's eagerness to aid the Keepers]] and his overall faction status, i.e, his current standing with the religious organisations of the Hammers and Pagans. If it wasn't made transparently clear - master thief of the first two games ''cares nothing for all three cults.'' The latter two are nothing personal, their wrath at being burgled is merely collateral damage that comes with the profession. Yet Deadly Shadows will have you play errand boy to try and keep within their good favor. [[BrokenBase Some fans liked this idea, others hated it]], feeling Garret should only concern himself with his trade - his reputation in the Thieves Guild and his fellow criminals.

* CompleteMonster: [[TheCorrupter The Hag]], [[BigBad Gamall]], is a legendary SerialKiller and [[WouldHutAChild murderer of children]] who has been killing [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld for centuries]], [[GenuineHumanHide ripping the skin off her victims and wearing it as her own]] to [[ImmortalityImmorality maintain her immortality]]; this also allows her to take the forms of her victims. A former member of the Keepers, Gamall desires to destroy the organization as well as to learn all of its secrets on glyph magic. In order to re-infiltrate the Keepers and gain their knowledge, Gamall murders a little girl named Lauryl to take her appearance. Once inside, she studies under Interpreter Caduca, eventually murdering the woman so she could be promoted to her teacher’s position. When Gamall’s {{glamour fail|ure}}s in front of the Keepers, she slaughters several of them in a rage, despite most of them fleeing from her. She later kills and steals the skin of Garret’s long-time friend [[spoiler:Artemus]] and then strangles [[spoiler:First Keeper Orland]] to death after the latter [[RedemptionEqualsDeath tries to redeem himself]]. Unlike the previous {{Big Bad}}s of the series, who were a WellIntentionedExtremist and KnightTemplar, Gamall [[ItsAllAboutMe acts purely out of self-interest]], to make herself invulnerable.

* CompleteMonster: The Hag, Gamall, is a legendary {{serial killer}} and murderer of children. Gamall has been killing for centuries, ripping the skin off her victims and wearing them as her own to [[ImmortalityImmorality maintain her immortality]]. This also allows her to take the forms of her victims. A former member of the Keepers, Gamall desires to destroy the organization as well as to learn all of its secrets on glyph magic. In order to re-infiltrate the Keepers and gain their knowledge, Gamall murders a little girl named Lauryl to take her appearance. Once inside, she studies under Interpreter Caduca, eventually murdering the woman so she could be promoted to her teacher’s position. When Gamall’s {{glamour fail|ure}}s in front of the Keepers, she slaughters several of them in a rage, despite most of them fleeing from her. She later kills and steals the skin of Garret’s long-time friend [[spoiler:Artemus]] and then strangles [[spoiler:First Keeper Orland]] to death after the latter [[RedemptionEqualsDeath tries to redeem himself]]. Unlike the previous {{Big Bad}}s of the series, who were a WellIntentionedExtremist and KnightTemplar, Gamall acts purely out of self-interest, to make herself invulnerable.

** The [[spoiler:golems]], ''especially'' when they find you. '''CRUSH AND KILL AND CRUSH AND KILL AND SMASH AND KILL AND SMASH...!!!'''

* GameBreaker[=/=]LordBritishPostulate : The last part has you sneaking past the BigBad several times to set in place various items. She is 100% invincible... but enough oil flasks WILL [[NarmCharm make her slip, fall, and become unconscious]]. [[CrowningMomentOfFunny Oops!]]
** That's not unconsciousness; she breaks her neck, but since she can't die she just lies there blinking and occasionally going invisible but otherwise immobilized.
** Even better, do this at the docks and you can make her fall into the ocean.

** The golems, ''especially'' when they find you. '''CRUSH AND KILL AND CRUSH AND KILL AND SMASH AND KILL AND SMASH...!!!'''

* NightmareFuel: The first time you come across a zombie. What you see and hear is an odd, loudly snoring person that lies on the ground. You are most likely confused by this and want to know what the hell is that thing. Thus, you try to get closer. As soon as you do, the "person" ''gets up in a millisecond and jumps at you.''