Project Shadowglass is a one-man indie project from Starhelm Studios headed by lead developer Dominick John. Anyone who has spent time with immersive sims from the ‘90s will immediately know what this is about when you see the trailer: someone is finally making a spiritual successor to the Thief series.

The game is using a unique art style that John describes as 3D pixels and says it’s something he’s been working on for years. He’s hesitant to divulge how he’s doing it because he doesn’t want to ruin the magic and mystery of the game so early in its development. He only says that he’s using the Godot engine, that no AI is being used, and someday he’ll reveal all the tricks he’s using to achieve the 3D pixel look he’s been chasing for so long. He also says that while Project Shadowglass is a stealth game, it will also have swords and action in it as well. He refers to it as a role-playing game and mentions System Shock, so it looks like there might be some extra mechanics and systems in play that we never saw in the Thief games.

Given that the Thief IP is currently owned by the Embracer Group, it’s unlikely we’ll be getting a new game anytime soon, but this is where ambitious indies come in. When a corporation takes over and paralyzes a much-loved IP, a small developer like Starhelm Studios can swoop in, resurrect the spirit of that series, and continue its legacy.

Project Shadowglass is still early in development, but will be coming to both PC and consoles. Check out the announcement trailer and demo below:

Project Shadowglass is a love letter to classic immersive FPS stealth sims such as Thief, Deus Ex, and System Shock, built with unique 3D pixel art technology.

You play a struggling thief, mysteriously tasked by an anonymous source to “acquire” ancient artifacts hidden across the realm. To succeed, you will need to rely on your wits and tools of the trade to pull off seemingly impossible heists.

By day, you will plan and prepare from your humble flat in the slums. Spend the gold you’ve acquired on new tools and items, upgrade your hidden workshop, acquire intel, and case your next target location.

By night, you must move and act unseen if you wish to succeed. You are no warrior. You’re alone, vulnerable, outmatched, and outnumbered. Every person has a name, and a memory. One false misstep could mean fleeing for your life, hiding for days, or engaging in terrifying melee combat that leaves marks remembered by all.

Gameplay:

– Navigate using light and sound: hide in the darkness, study patrol routes, and choose quiet surfaces over loud ones

– Manipulate the environment: douse torches, create distractions, use surroundings to your advantage

– Infiltrate secure areas: pick locks, pickpocket keys, and climb to forbidden places to gain the upper hand

– Deal with threats: knock out guards, hide bodies and evidence, or risk deadly blade-to-blade combat

– Complete the heist: gain access, steal treasures, and escape

Features:

– Multiple approaches and solutions with a sandbox design philosophy

– Unique rendering technology creates nostalgic pixel art in full 3D space

– A reputation that follows you. Get caught and security heightens based on severity

– Become known as a murderer and citizens flee on sight

– Acquire your own research before a heist. YOU choose when to act, where, and how

– Get apprehended alive, and you’ll need to break yourself out of jail

The Story:

In a lush, dark, and oppressive seaside kingdom, the richest nobles have fallen in line with a new king promising them more. The poor grow poorer, the rich grow richer. The claustrophobic city has been building more walls to keep them out from where they don’t belong. Higher towers to not hear them, smell them, but always keep an eye on them. But they didn’t account for you.

Progression:

Everything is earned. This is not a power fantasy. You are no hero with powers. Instead, you must rely solely on improving your own planning and skill. Leverage knowledge to your advantage. Your tools and mind are your ultimate weapons. You can sloppily wield a broadsword if it comes to that, but a master thief is as a ghost. Feel the reward of your own skills improving. As you acquire intel and lore, it assists you in seeing new methods and approaches, and secrets hidden in plain sight to use to your advantage. Learn recipes and components to prepare new effects and expand your workshop.

Challenges You’ll Face:

– Guards armed to the teeth

– Magical security systems with complex codes to crack

– Imposing heights that mean instant death should you take the wrong step

– The front door is the quickest way in, but the loudest

– Traps set for unsuspecting thieves

– Enemies will make use of lights and torches if they suspect something (or someone) is hiding in the darkness

Development Status:

Currently in early development, this is the first game leveraging a new 3d technology approach to deliver nostalgic pixelated graphics in smooth, full 360 freedom. The graphics you see in all videos and screenshots are captured in-engine real-time.

Now in early development. Wishlist and follow for the latest updates!

[Steam]