Previous Next

This RPG is great for parties, not necessarily because it's a good game but because it's so difficult to say properly. Have a couple of shandies and get your guests to utter the title without resorting to saying 'Keef the Feef'. It's great fun. I tried it at the last party I held and everyone had so much fun they had to go home early to recover.

In this novel game you're a compulsive feef, er, thief, who's recently been banished from your home town. The priests there tried to educate you in the traditional ways of their elders, but you decided to adopt their teachings to suit your own, less-than-lawful exploits. Even now, you remember the words of the town council as they exiled you, "Admit it Keef, the ways of the priest shall forever remain foreign to you (although you steal things religiously). You're a natural nicker, a brilliant burglar, a perfect pilferer, you'll thrive as a thief... but not in this town."

As the game begins, you find yourself in a dense jungle, just outside the city of Same Mercon, owning just a few gold pieces. Now, for a street-wise dude like yourself increasing your wealth, or just survival, would be no problem. But your destiny is more of a challenge - you're intended to become God-King of Tri-City!

Your first move is to explore Same Mercon, where you swiftly discover information costs money. Encouragement, if any was needed, to take a gander round the back streets of the city, where rows of empty houses are just waiting to be burgled. But take care, for guards patrol these streets and they won't take kindly to your kleptomania. To avoid capture, pop in and out of houses while the guards are elsehwere. If there's any booty worth plundering, the steal option lights up. However, it's not just a case of pinch 'n run, as you may set off a trap or fumble while in mid nick and 'sustain a rather nasty owie' (Don't ask me!). I died trying to nick a booby-trapped teapot!

The way to progress is to constantly save your position and begin by stealing easy pickings such as a dirk from the weapons store, to build up your thieving skills. Combat is a major feature of Keef and it makes sense not to indulge in too much fighting at the outset of your quest as most enemies are merciless and well armed; you need to be the same to survive.

Screen area is split in two, with a graphic of what you se or what you're doing situated above an option panel. Options consist of Talk, Look, Search, Cast and so on which change to suit your current situation. There are, in fact, three main types of screen: the movement/manipulation screen where most everyday interacton takes place with other characters and objects, the combat screen where you basically turn to face your foe and attack with the most appropriate weapon in your possession (magic if it's needed), and the magic-creating screen where you mix ingredients to make spells. All the screens are neatly laid out (although I found the graphic style odd) and user friendly; enabling you to use mouse, keys or a combination of both.

Keef founders slightly because of its 'high difficulty factor' and 'high learning curve' (EA terminology). Sudden deaths abound and the game logic is frustrating (why should I fumble and hurt myself when trying to nick a necklace from an empty house?). Combat is confusing and unfair to begin with (although you can adjust the number and ferocity of enemies), making the urge to continue initially weak; just when I thought I might be getting somewhere (by cruising the streets and diving in houses for a quick pilfer). I noticed my hit indidicator turning red. Obviously food and rest were needed, so off I strolled to the nearest hostelry only to be beaten up by a mad dog and a drunk... for no apparent reason. I had no chance. As I've said before, *save repeatedly*!

As in real life (Is there any such thing?) you need to get enough sleep, keep your stamina up, and stay sober (?) to survive, while aiming to increase your strength, speed, constitution and so on. Objects are never in the same place as the last game, and your character's attributes change with each new game. If you don't like what you're given, start again. Try to get high thieving skills, high hit points, and as much luck as possible.

Keef The Thief certainly takes a lot of getting used to (and only being able to save one game position is odd) but if you're prepared to play 'n save you'll slowly progress and eventually become addicted.