Welcome to the Into Indie Games beginner’s tips and tricks guide for Thick As Thieves.
Thick As Thieves is a stealth-based game where you play as a thief and have to complete both a contract and a mission. You can successfully exfil without completing the contract, but doing that will not clear the area, so you will eventually have to complete the contract as well.
However, each playthrough is different as the game randomizes item locations and spawn points every single time. Even the clues are randomized. Because of that, assistance may be required for some players, and that is exactly why we have put together this ultimate beginner’s tips and tricks guide for Thick As Thieves.
You can learn more about the game on its Steam Page.
Table of contents
Stealth Is King
It goes without saying that stealth is an important factor in the game. However, it is not just important. It is absolutely necessary. You simply cannot play the game properly without using stealth. There are many traps, and the enemy AI is smart too. The guards can notice you from far away. So, staying in the darkness and moving stealthily is the best way to play.
Also, if you rush too much, you may trigger traps that will slow your character down while the machinery starts shooting at you. Because of that, you must stay stealthy at all times with only a few exceptions here and there. Just stay aware of your surroundings, pay attention to enemy movement, and you will be good to go.
Map Is Your Best Friend
I am the type of gamer who barely uses the map in most games. Sometimes that works without any issues, but in games like Thick As Thieves, it simply will not work, and I learned that the hard way. The areas can get really confusing, and in order to find the destination for the items mentioned in the clues, you will constantly have to navigate using the map.
Using the map to move around is extremely important. You can explore the area without using it much, but going to a specific place will definitely require you to rely on the map. So make sure you check the map every now and then so you do not get lost and frustrated while exploring the different sections of the level.
Look For The Clues
As you are exploring the areas, you will notice a magnifying glass icon appearing on the screen. Never ignore that icon because it will help you find the items you are looking for. For example, finding the gems in the Guildhall can be extremely tricky, and you can get frustrated very easily while searching for them blindly.
So, to get hints about their whereabouts, you need to find the clues first. Sometimes the gems will be in a named location, and sometimes they will simply be hidden in a random area where you would never think about looking. Instead of wasting time searching everywhere, focus on finding the clues on the screen. Once you find them, use those hints to guide yourself toward the objective locations.
Everything Is Randomized
In this game, if you fail a run, return to the hideout, or fail to complete the contract and start the mission again, almost everything will be randomized. It is completely useless to check the exact same areas for the same items. That is because those places may not even contain a clue anymore, and may not even contain another key item.
Even the clues themselves are randomized, so you will have to do some exploration during every single run. This is exactly why looking up walkthroughs can sometimes waste your time. That is because your experience is going to be completely different from someone else’s playthrough. Even your spawn points are going to change. So, it is far better to use your map, search carefully, and locate the clues first before committing to a route.
There Is A Timer
In this game, there is going to be a timer constantly ticking down just to add a sense of urgency and pressure. However, at the beginning, the difficulty will not trouble you too much. That said, if you spend most of your time looting instead of completing the mission or the contract, you may quickly find yourself in trouble.
If you have not completed any of the objectives and there is very little time remaining, you are far more likely to lose the run. So, in situations like that, it is usually better to exfil and escape with the loot you already have. Then you can simply replay the mission later and focus entirely on the remaining tasks. The developers added the timer mainly because players would otherwise try to clear everything in one run instead of focusing on one objective at a time and replaying for the others.
Playing With Friends Via Co-Op Is Better
As this is a stealth-based game with a timer constantly pressuring you, it is generally better to play with a friend. This way, you will be able to complete both objectives much more easily. You will also be able to stack up a decent amount of loot during the run. That said, if you are playing with a friend, do not just stay together the entire time.
Instead, you should explore different areas and search for clues separately. This way, you can find the items you are looking for more easily and much more efficiently. Try this approach once, and you will quickly realize how effective it can be to play with a friend rather than handling everything solo. That said, playing solo is not impossible either. There are definitely more challenges involved, but the game is still very manageable and completely doable even for solo players.
That is pretty much it for the beginner’s tips and tricks guide for Thick As Thieves. Try to stay calm, patient, and stealthy most of the time, and you will be good to go. This game constantly tests your patience because of the time limit and pressure. However, do not let that bother you too much. Take your time, learn the enemy patterns, understand the layouts, and you will steadily improve with every run.
For more articles on other indie games, please check out the links below:
- Vampire Crawlers – 6 Advanced Tips & Tricks
- Masters of Albion Walkthrough Hub
- Bylina Walkthrough – The Wondrous Eldritch Castle
- Mouse P.I. for Hire Walkthrough Hub
- REPLACED Complete Walkthrough
Obaid Ur Rehman is a lifelong gaming enthusiast with a deep passion for writing about video games. While he enjoys all genres, he specializes in RPGs and Soulslike titles. After tackling some of the toughest bosses, he often unwinds with a cozy game to relax. Outside of gaming, Obaid enjoys watching anime, bingeing TV series, or staying active at the gym.
