These Thieving Hearts

While I don't personally have an issue playing a gender-locked MC, I know that some people hate it. I don't think that is a good reason to avoid a story that sounds interesting to you, nor do I think it should be given a negative review because of it. Some people have clearly been spoiled a little too much and feel some sense of entitlement because of it, I suppose. Alas, that aside, that isn't why I disliked These Thieving Hearts. Being an avid fan of interactive fiction I'm constantly on the lookout for something new, something exciting, something different (there is only so much high school drama and/or 'you've just learnt of the supernatural world - ah scawy' a person can handle). I say this to imply that I believe my standards are higher than the average person. Sadly These Thieving Hearts didn't resonate with me how I hoped it would. The story starts with our MC arriving at his new client's house to be briefed, although vaguely, on the potential job. They call it 'The Thieves Demise'. It is basically a legend for the thief community and is said to be the hardest trials any thief will have to encounter. Managing to get even one of the items on the list will shower that person with recognition (as much as one can receive in a job done in the shadows at least). Upon agreeing you are sent off to meet your team, some of whom you already know and have worked with previously. A short debriefing later that, once again, offers next to no insight and you are being sent off to claim the first item, which is apparently in a vault in some random rich guy's house. An item that is supposed to be nearly impossible to steal... is just there... in some guy's house. And granted, it is as easy to steal as it sounds. Arriving at your destination, most of the interactions will be descriptions of the location, hardly anything in detail, and then you are given options. Play to your strengths via your stats will grant you a way forward and this will repeat for another few steps before you claim your prize. Fail your stat check at any point and one of your teammates will pick up your slack before the same outcome occurs. None of this makes for an exciting read. It isn't thrilling, it isn't nail-biting and it isn't inspired. However, I carried on reading anyway with the hope that things would pick up a bit on the second mission. They did not. After retrieving the first item from the thieves demise list you and your team are stuffed into a private jet to your next location. Yet again, the details about the item are vague at best. The very same night you are sent out to hunt down the second object. This time to a place that had been sunk underwater and harbours a few 'deadly' traps. Yet again, play to your strengths and walk through the whole place as if it were a calming stroll through the park on a tranquil day. Honestly, at this point, I wondered what the point was of having a team. Doing things correctly basically sees you conquering these so-called 'tough trials' on your own. Both of these missions were over in a span of a few pages. Retiring for the night was the most pointless thing I have ever read. It was already established that you and your team would be staying at a hotel that night, and yet, for some reason, filler text about a lightning storm grounding your plane was added. You get the option to speak to one of your teammates that night, barely exchanging much dialogue before going to sleep. This would have been a great opportunity to get to know who you are working with. Just because the MC knows two of the three other members, we as readers know nothing. Heck, it would have been a great time to explain why the MC is so sought after for this job and why everyone claims him to be the best since this information has failed to be provided to us so far. By this point, chapter four is about to start and I've had enough. Each chapter is so short and feels rushed and unfulfilling. Most other stories are still establishing key points, introducing characters and setting up the world by this word count. I did not feel immersed, excited, or willing to continue from here. I'm sure this will be to some people's tastes, it was just not for me.

I should have played a demo or read the summary before purchasing, so that's on me and I wish I could give this review a more neutral recommendation rather than a flat yes or no. This game wasn't quite what I was expecting. I'm used to all of the Choice games I've played before giving me a lot of open options for the MC you get to play as. Gender and sexuality specifically, I'm used to being able to customize. That is not the case with this game. You don't get to choose the gender or sexuality of your character. I also found some of the character dialogue options to be annoying as well but I was already frustrated by the time I got to that point I had already decided I didn't like the game. Maybe the things that bothered me won't bother others and they'll be able to enjoy the game.

Woohoohoo! I was wary of the story at first and then... It slowly coaxed me with interesting things, actual humorous lines and lots of THIEVING with MAGIC!!! How can you not?! Well okay... I know this is Male X Male and that's not what everybody likes. That's okay. If you really need to hear it: You can skip lewd scenes by picking the right option OR... Just don't read it. But yes. There is no male/female choice of MC and you will have love interests only as males. Which is... So really freaking damn awesome!!! The stuff is so hot- Oh, oh right. Moving on. ^^ (I am not sorry!) The story kept my interest. I especially liked that they let you pick if your character is a history buff/techie or a magic user (and others). Let's face it. If magic is involved? You are using that sheet for everything. I also think the best parts were where the author was really crafty with the way magic was implemented. How things worked and the artifacts! I actually have to say "kudos!" to them on these parts! Love interests... Hmm... Okay well. Everyone has their own persona and skills. A [i]diverse[/i] set of characters if you will... And I didn't really get attached/tunnel vision for any of them. (They are into other guys anyway, so...) Not that that's a bad thing. It means that I can read and pick any LI to enjoy. I went with Cesar on my first playthrough... Because charming and thief? With a silver tongue that says funny/flirty things? Yes please! But the best... THE BEST character that I really enjoyed was............! The God of Thieves himself. Yeap. Not a love interest. Don't hope for it. Nope nope! Well then. The story may not have been on par with shows like "Leverage" or "White Collar", but it sure as hell had its own unique flavor in the mix. I commend you and look forward to getting to know the other character's stories in time! Thank you!!! :D :) =3

raven de hart never misses

Очень ждала выхода этого текстового квеста и не разочаровалась. Автор следует той же формуле, что и в прошлой своей работе: общий фэнтезийный сюжет, немного приключений и много горячей романтики. Мужики красивые (Сезар мой любимчик), гг ловко дурит людей будучи профессиональным вором, можно колдунствовать и даже скорешиться с богом :)

being an avid reader of interactive fiction for years, i can rate this one a solid 7 out of 10. while i did find some of the story predictable and cliche, i do appreciate and enjoyed some aspects. the characters are fun to interact with and the romance did not feel too forced--- at least from my experience with cesar and ivan. the choices you make does feel like it affects the story and has consequences or can be rewarding. i do however don't think that this game has that too much of replayability worth unless you want to see how the romance would go with the other guys or just curious what would happen if you did this and that. compared to Breached and Thieves' Gambit, a bit underwhelming but was definitely saved by the unique implementation of magic and interesting characters. would definitely recommend for the gays and for those who are into thieving/heist plot.

i enjoyed this a lot! my only sorrow is that i cannot kiss god