20 Video Game Sidequests Better Than The Main Campaign
19. Bank Heist - Thief
Though 2014's Thief received mixed reviews, it would've fared better if the creative team put as much effort into the base game as they did with the DLC, The Bank Heist.
Echoing the bank mission from Thief II, this quest places our protagonist within Stonemarket First bank, with every corridor and office presenting new risks and opportunities. The building feels imposing and alive, with guards patrolling unpredictable routes and security systems humming with quiet menace.
Players are presented with numerous paths to complete their task, including ventilation shafts, upper balconies, or more overt approaches. Rooms interconnect in clever ways, rewarding exploration with shortcuts, hidden loot, and storytelling fragments that deepen the city’s lore. The freedom to experiment with tools and techniques encourages imaginative problem-solving, making success feel earned.
The tension is through the roof, since the slightest miscalculation or misstep can end everything in an instant. The facility is so deathly quiet, it's sure to get your pulse racing, since the slightest noise can alert the authorities.
In summary, The Bank Heist is impeccably crafted because it distills everything that makes Thief compelling into one tightly focused level.