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Thief 2 Remastered should be Thief 2 Gold
The article argues that a future remaster of *Thief II: The Metal Age* should be released as *Thief II Gold*, adding restored or newly developed content rather than offering only upgraded graphics and modern technical features. Its central point is that the cancelled Gold edition could give the sequel the expanded treatment its predecessor received, making the remaster a more meaningful preservation project for fans.
It places this proposal in the context of Nightdive Studios’ announced remaster of the original *Thief: The Dark Project*, which is based on the expanded *Thief Gold* version and is expected to include modern improvements. *Thief II* is widely regarded as a landmark stealth game, but its planned Gold edition was abandoned after Looking Glass Studios closed in 2000, leaving the idea of additional missions and refinements unrealised.
In short
- A *Thief II* remaster should revive the cancelled Gold edition.
- The article favours restored content over a simple graphical upgrade.
- Looking Glass’s studio closure halted the original *Thief II Gold* plans.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The original Thief received a Gold edition with expanded content, establishing a precedent for how Looking Glass Studios' classics should be enhanced. Given that Thief II was equally accomplished and influential, a Gold edition would provide fans with the expanded experience that was originally conceived before the studio's closure. This approach transforms a remaster from a mere technical refresh into a meaningful preservation effort that honours the developer's incomplete vision and gives the game the comprehensive treatment befitting its legacy.
The case against
Thief II: The Metal Age stands as a complete, acclaimed masterpiece that requires no editorial expansion to justify its status. A faithful remaster that updates graphics and modernises technical features respects the original developers' finished work without imposing new content that diverges from their established design vision. Simply calling it Gold would misrepresent its nature, as it would not be the originally planned expansion but rather a contemporary addition; a scrupulously accurate remaster honours the game's integrity more than an enhanced edition that risks diluting its authentic character.
Explained simply
Thief II: The Metal Age is a stealth game released in 2000, in which players use shadows, sound and tools to avoid enemies. It was made by Looking Glass Studios, which closed the same year.
The first game in the series later received an expanded edition called Thief Gold, with extra missions and changes. A planned Gold edition of Thief II was cancelled, so its additional content was never released.
Nightdive Studios has announced a remaster of the first Thief, based on Thief Gold, bringing renewed attention to how older games can be preserved and updated. A remaster can improve a game’s presentation and compatibility with modern systems; adding missions or other content would also affect what version of the game players experience.