Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves Review (no fat)

by SCEA Platform: PS2 Genre: Platformer	ESRB Rating: Everyone Release: 2005-09-26	Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves Features: A sequel to the action adventure Sly series Intense storyline Multiplayer for up to two players Includes online multiplayer system
	Egamer's Rating: 9 / 10. Reviewed on: 2005-12-01

Game Description

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves picks up nicely where the action in Sly 2 deftly left off. Therefore, a fan of the franchise will be very pleased to see the release of this solidly crafted third installment in the series.

At the front of the gaming action, we learn that a menacing Dr. M is attempting to crack into a vault that contains all of Sly’s family treasures. In order to accomplish this task, Dr. M has built a formidable fortress all around the valuable vault. Naturally, the ingenious Sly (the gamer at the helm) vows to defeat Dr. M and regain his family’s wealth.

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves Gameplay

If a gamer has taken up a previous entry in the franchise, he will immediately see that Sly’s former sidekicks have been sidelined in Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves. Thus, it is up to Sly to gather together a new group of compatriots to defeat Dr. M, and recapture the valuable property locked away in the vault.

What is interesting about Sly 3 is the fact that the characters you assemble to assist Sly in his adventures each take on different roles on the different levels of play. Therefore, each has some differing abilities and talents as you progress through the game, making it important for you to contemplate how you will use each friend as you move onward.

Adding spice to the adventure is the fact that the levels included within the overall playing scheme occur in many different locations around the world. As Sly, you will find yourself everywhere from the high seas fighting of nasty pirates to snow covered mountains in China -- and numerous other exciting and challenging vistas in between.

Each level of play has a different objective that must be accomplished. An experienced gamer likely will find these levels easy to master. Additionally, once an objective is completed, you have the ability to return to the “safe house” to purchase different pieces of equipment and to obtain various upgrades (by cashing in on coins you have earned around town) to assist you in the quest for the vault.

As Sly (who is the scion of a family of thieves) you obtain money by picking coins off the bodies of the enemies you have killed and by pick-pocketing guards (you can obtain a significantly larger share of dough through those). Indeed, collecting money is a major element of the game so that you will have the cash necessary to upgrade your tools and to move forward towards the fortress, Dr. M, the vault and success.

Throughout each level of play, there are a significant number of so-called “mini-games” -- side adventures that add an interesting element to the general concept of the game. Mini-games were to be found in the last installment in the franchise (Sly 2), but are far more prevalent in this edition.

The storyline is portrayed in depth and in abundance in Sly 3. If you like simpler plots, you might find the storyline intrusive, but the storyline does not impede the action of the game itself.

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves Visuals and Graphics

One of the new twists found in Sly 3 is the fact that you are provided with a pair of 3-D glasses if you desire to play the game in 3-D mode. The visuals and graphics associated with the 3-D version are anything but compelling. Indeed, you very well may find the 3-D mode of play irritating and disappointing.

Most gamers will be best served avoiding the 3-D mode all together. The graphics and visuals in the “regular” mode of play are more than satisfying and interesting.

Overall, the graphics and visuals are smartly constructed and move forward without jerks or other unwanted distortions and interruptions.

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves Sound Quality

The audio quality, special effects and attendant soundtrack are all well done. The special effects neatly fit into the action on the screen and are believable and add a touch of realism to the action and to the play.

While not outstanding, the soundtrack and background themes certainly are most appropriate to the action at hand and to the game generally.

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves Summary

From the plotline to the graphics to the audio elements generally, Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves is a well put together and an exciting venture that would prove a good choice for action adventure gamers.

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves Cost

Sly 3 currently retails for $39.99US at the time of writing.