Thief 2 SV Contest FM: "Escape Hammer Hill" (July 7, 2010)

[PotatoGuy]

Just finished this one, and had a lot of fun. This surely is the best mission you made so far, darthslair, I liked all the little touches. Original escape from your cell, some quite original objectives - definetily worth a replay!

One thing I didn't understand though - Why could Basso just walk out the door when he got another prisoner's clothes?

[darthsLair]

Basso can :Walk out of prison because he is wearing Kary Grant III Clothes , and the former was due to be released. A bulletin was posted by the Warden to inform the Guards of his release, and basically not to interfere with his departure. Basso brought his own keys, so he already had access to all of the prison, including the Foyer Gate. Garrett just had to bring his keys to him, and the disguise, and Basso would do the rest. In Basso's Nature as a Character in The first mission in TMA, he freely walks in to the mansion to free Jennivere, once a path was cleared.
I also depicted his free release, as a different way, other than the usual..clear the path type method.

Glad you enjoyed it !Basso Objective on Hard and Expert Only:
In my rush to submit my contest entry to Jason by midnite of the dead line, I failed to change the Read me, so that folks playing on Easy are playing on a difficulty when Garrett was not yet aware of Basso's arrest and imprisonment for Murder, Hence no "Letter from Jenny" The Easy difficulty would just lead to a greater Challenge on Hard and Expert where the Story Line fits the game play. I think most Taffers here play on Hard and Expert anyway to get the full benefit, but I do apologize for anyone who has played this thinking that they were to help Basso escape on the Easy Difficulty.
The Revised editon is in Shale Bridge at this time, but wont be release until the 1st part of August. The Revised edition will have some terrain issues fixed, along with added game materials. More Voice Outs from Garrett, to help tell the unfolding story, and a couple of Conversations Between Hammerites, and One between Garrett and Basso.
2- days before I scheduled beta-testing, and had beta testers waitng on the 19th I had 2 major Computer Crashes. Leading to the death of my game building computer, and Losing hundreds of files I was to use to finish it.
I was able to borrow a puter to finish it, but it has been hectic, and a hundred hours of refinement to be able to submit it for this contest.

[Fuod]

WOW!

So many different ways to go, this one will get replayed countless times. Kind of short game play, but easily made it as one of my all time favorite missions. I ended up about 850 short, so guess I better get back in there.

Thank you!

[canetoad]

Still playing, but really enjoying this one darthslair. Very inventive. I've dumped nearly everything moveable ontoBasso's bed. His cell is so crowded he can't turn around.

I'm having trouble with the Warden's medallion...hint?

[PotatoGuy]

I'm having trouble with the Warden's medallion...hint?

Better check the sewer first...

[shadows]

Hmm, I am virtually finished but I can't find the uniform for Basso so he and I can leave. I've checked Cell 18 and can't find a uniform, so stumped.. Outright answer please, thanks!

Good mission BTW, I noticed the WANTED posters, haha.

[PotatoGuy]

shadows - better borrow something from cell 18

[shadows]

shadows - better borrow something from cell 18

I must have missed something then, cause I checked there and no uniform...

[darthsLair]

Disguise:In Cell no. 18, Kary Grant III will be sitting on his Bunk. Look below the Cell window on the floor. When you go to release Basso in Cell no. 3, just highligt the bed with the Disguise showing in inventory and hit your control buton on your keyboard, and the same with Basso's Key Ring.

Read:Jenny's Letter to Garrett in Cell 11 (Garretts Cell) on his bunk to obtain the Release Basso objective. It also gives her instructions on placing the Disguise and Key Ring.

The Release Basso Objective is not in Normal Difficulty. Just Hard and Expert. It will be implemented in the Revised edition which is in Beta Testing now.


Thanks everyone, I am glad you are enjoying it, and getting through it okay.

[dreamer]

Shadows, you need to trigger the disguse showing up (I had this problem too). You need to read a notice in one of the rooms near the front gate.

Darthslair, great FM just what i've been craving, thanks!

[Fuod]

I didn't even see the lead pipe my first two times through, it almost seems too easy now.

[SneakyJack]

I didn't even see the lead pipe my first two times through, it almost seems too easy now.

Where is this?

Edit: Nevermind, its in the

spoiler:

utility closet down the ladder from the roof.

Brilliant mission and probably the only prison mission I've ever happily completed. They normally aren't for me, but the way you set everything up and the missions design kept it flowing - and early access to a blackjack replacement rather than needing to ghost the whole mission allowed for all playstyles. From the initial way you break out of your cell to the way you chose the lighting placement I knew I was in for a mission by someone that appreciates gameplay details. I also thank you for keeping lockpicking complexity (I think all the locks were only one stage at least on the lower difficulty) to a minimum, that is very much appreciated. Nothing breaks the flow of a mission faster than a ton of multi stage long wait lockpicking.

Really great stuff, thank you. I'll be giving this one another shot on Expert when I get the time!

[darthsLair]

Thankyou SneakyJack, Glad you enjoyed it. According to the 12 beta testers, The Ghosters had no problems on Hard, or Expert. I am a Ghoster too, but I concentrate on Game Play. The lockpicking stage is all 1.1.1. as I dont like long picking sequences either. Some may say I used too many Light control Switch mechanisms, but not all lights can be controlled on purpose to encourage sneak ability and ghost ability. I purposely laid everything out simple, strait forward, with nothing hidden that doesn't have a clue to it, or anything that is not visible if in direct line of sight. I didn't want a complex style this time around, as it takes away from the escape experience.

Thankyou dreamer, Glad you are enjoying it.

[Cardia]

Congratulations on the release of this mission Rod

This was a very enjoyable mission, you know how to make a very captivating gameplay

[SlyFoxx]

Just finished...Expert.

What a lovely bit of stuff!

I missed about 120 of the loot but that's OK. Left the place dark, open and everybody with a lump on the skull. Ever since Cragescleft I have little tolerance for Hammerite prisons and their guards!

[darthsLair]

Thankyou Pedro, I really tried hard to make it enjoyable.

Thankyou Sly, Your voice of Garrett Rocks Big Time ! I think even better than the original.

a little secret spoiler: When ghosting, it is not necessary to enter all of the cells to obtain alittle loot. Use the ledge that goes around the building and frob the loot that way. If you move crouched and slow in between the window sills , the Hammers wont notice. The main cells required to enter are 3,4,6,11,18 and of coarse 2 if you like Dew Drop.

[Swiz]

I got a bit stuck with the "Dead Ringer" objective as I thought Malcolm McGee's corpse was a better match than anyone in the cells!

[gnartsch]

Nice Alcatraz-feeling, very tense !
Too bad I found the lead-pipe as I was done already with all objectives.
Oh well, with ghosting the fun did last longer.
But maybe I use the lead-pipe on the guards in some sort of 'interrogation' about where the last 125g in loot are that I am short to the total.

[Dawggon]

This is a unique, fun mission. Worth a replay, imho. I ghosted it successfully, and, surprise, it's the only way to play. Loved everything about it.

Congratulations darth!

[darthsLair]

@gnartsch, Wow, you have good perception. I originally based it on Alcatraz, and did alittle research on it. However, I didn't have the room to build it the way of Alcatraz because of the Size Restrictions. I am also a fan of "Alcatraz the Movie" Starring Clint Eastwood. When I discovered that I really couldn't duplicate it on a small scale, and still have enough room for Garrett to move about in it, I settled with the Idea based on one of my earlier versions of a TG fm " Gold in Fort Knocks"

I love the Hammerite Theme, as they are certainly unique, and with the Release of the Hammerite Developement Kit, Escape Hammer Hill became possible for me to conceive. I also have been through Thief the Metal Age at least 5 times from start to finish, but have always been hung on the Nostalgia of The Dark Project, as this was my introduction to the thief world of " Garrett".

I am currently working on a Revision of this fm, but it wont see release until after the Contest. It is currently in beta testing now, and speaking of which....
Thankyou Dawggon, as this would not be as good if it werent for your great beta testing skills, your keen eyes for detail, and your ghosting ability. My hat is off to you, and the other 11 Testers.


@swiz, Ahh, you just gave me an idea ! Thanks !

[MrMunkeepants]

I never found the map... maybe that's why I got so turned around?
this was a very good prison break FM, congratulations on its release!
one thing to keep in mind for the Revised version is that locks and switches on the inside edges of a doorway can get a player stuck - I got snagged on a few, and while it didn't ruin the game it was annoying.

[gnartsch]

I never found the map... maybe that's why I got so turned around?

There are enough clues in the mission. Recall the name Finnigan ? Find him !

[<Username>]

Playing an Ironman of this is quite tense. On the first try, I got to the makeshift lockpicks. Unfortunately, a Hammerite heard me when I climbed back into the shaft connecting the third level with the roof. After they raised the alarm, I managed to survive for a little longer, but eventually I got caught in a dead end and was clobbered to death.

Having a blast so far!

EDIT: Second try, similar outcome, only this time I accidentally killed myself by touching the stove outside of my cell when I had to shields remaining. My problem here is I am unable to mantle back into the shaft connecting the third level with the roof. How do I get back inside it after picking up the makeshift lockpicks and the makeshift blackjack?

SECOND EDIT: Third time is the charm. Managed to sneak my way through Hammer Hill. Got about half of the loot.

[gnartsch]

How do I get back inside it after picking up the makeshift lockpicks and the makeshift blackjack?

I would crouch in front of the shaft, carefully drop a crate and jump on it and crouch in.
Timing is essential off course.

[<Username>]

Thanks for the tip, but I already tried that. I got halfway into the shaft and then I was is stuck. Jumping or leaning didn't help getting unstuck.