Thick as Thieves

Story and setting

Thick as Thieves is set in Kilcairn, a fictional Scottish city in an alternate-history version of the 1910s. It is a place where early technology, magic and industrial expansion overlap, creating a setting of gas lamps, rooftops, guarded mansions and supernatural security.

You join the Thieves’ Guild as a newly recruited thief and take contracts to steal valuable heirlooms while uncovering the secrets of Kilcairn’s Constabulary and noble families. The released campaign is presented as an introduction to the wider setting rather than a complete account of the city’s story.

How it plays

This is a first-person stealth game about observation, improvisation and choosing the right approach. You can sneak through streets and buildings, climb across rooftops, pick locks, bypass security, distract guards and escape with your loot. If a plan goes wrong, the game supports a more direct approach, but staying hidden is usually the safer option.

The launch version includes two thieves, the Spider and the Chameleon, each with different abilities, alongside six pieces of unique gear. Gadgets include Slithersap for short-circuiting security lights, smoke bombs for breaking line of sight and a Pickpocket Fairy that can trigger switches from a distance. Missions change their guard arrangements and security layouts as difficulty rises from Novice to Master Thief, giving the two maps some replay value.

There are three mission types and 16 contracts in the introductory campaign. You can play alone or invite one other player for online co-op. The game does not include the competitive PvPvE mode shown when it was first announced.

Trailers and development changes

The announcement trailer shown at The Game Awards on 12 December 2024 presented Thick as Thieves as a thief-versus-thief PvPvE game. It showed rival burglars competing for valuable targets while dealing with guards, traps and the hazards of Kilcairn. PlayStation’s accompanying announcement described high-stakes stealth duels between master thieves, but that multiplayer direction was later abandoned.

On 2 April 2026, OtherSide confirmed that development had shifted to single-player and two-player co-op. The Triple-i Initiative trailer on 9 April revealed the 20 May PC release date and showed the revised stealth-action format. A developer walkthrough released on 29 April focused on Kilcairn, shifting guard patterns, cutting lights and using gadgets such as smoke bombs and Slithersap. The launch trailer followed on 20 May, presenting the version that shipped on Steam, including its short-session heists and solo or co-operative play.

Platforms, editions and UK price

The game is available now on PC through Steam. The Epic Games Store lists a Windows version as coming soon. PS5 and Xbox Series X|S were announced in 2024, and both platforms still have store listings, but neither has a confirmed release date. The publisher’s current FAQ says its focus is the PC version and that it will share console news when available.

The standard Steam version launched in the UK at £4.99. No UK console price, physical release, deluxe edition or retailer pre-order has been announced. The game is rated PEGI 12, with moderate violence, sexual innuendo and mild swearing listed on the UK Xbox store page.

Current status and what remains unconfirmed

Thick as Thieves launched as an introductory campaign with the intention of expanding its story and setting. That plan has since changed. OtherSide said in July 2026 that there would be no further content updates, while the 19 August technical update was described as the final planned update. The team has instead focused on keeping the existing game playable, including peer-to-peer co-op so it can continue operating if dedicated servers are switched off.

For a British player, the practical position is straightforward: the £4.99 PC game is available now, while the console versions remain undated. There is no confirmed release window or price for PS5, Xbox Series X|S or the Epic Games Store version, and no announcement of inclusion with Game Pass or PlayStation Plus.

Should you buy it?

Thick as Thieves makes sense as a small, inexpensive stealth game for solo players or pairs who enjoy repeating missions to learn guard routes and improve their runs. Its four-hour introductory campaign is supported by changing layouts, multiple tools and two playable thieves, but it is not the expansive multiplayer game suggested by the original reveal.

At £4.99, the Steam release is priced like a compact sampler rather than a full-scale campaign. Buy it for the existing stealth systems and co-op, not on the expectation that the promised wider world, competitive mode or future episodes will arrive.