Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Amiga, Apple IIGS, DOS
- Developers: Naughty Dog
- Publishers: Electronic Arts
Keef the Thief: A Boy and His Lockpick (1989): A Humorous Parody RPG
Released in 1989 for the Apple IIGS, Keef the Thief: A Boy and His Lockpick is a unique and humorous parody role-playing game (RPG) developed by Naughty Dog, the studio behind the Jak and Daxter and Uncharted series. The game follows the adventures of Keef, a young thief with a knack for getting into trouble.
Development and Reception
Keef the Thief was originally conceived as a more traditional sword and sorcery RPG. However, during development, Naughty Dog’s Andy Gavin began adding sarcastic and humorous text as placeholders for the final dialogue. Electronic Arts (EA), the game’s publisher, was so impressed with the humor that they decided to make the entire game a comedy.
This decision proved to be a double-edged sword. While the game’s humor was praised by critics, it also alienated some traditional RPG fans who were expecting a more serious experience. As a result, Keef the Thief sold poorly, despite its critical acclaim.
Gameplay
Keef the Thief is a turn-based RPG in which the player controls Keef as he explores a variety of dungeons and towns. The game’s combat system is simple but effective, and the puzzles are often clever and challenging.
What sets Keef the Thief apart from other RPGs is its humor. The game is filled with witty dialogue, absurd situations, and pop culture references. For example, one of the game’s dungeons is a giant pinball machine, and another is a parody of the movie The Wizard of Oz.
Characters
Keef is a charming and resourceful protagonist. He is always getting into trouble, but he always manages to find a way out. He is joined on his adventure by a cast of colorful characters, including a talking cat, a dwarven blacksmith, and a beautiful princess.
Legacy
Despite its commercial failure, Keef the Thief has become a cult classic among retro gamers. The game’s humor and originality have stood the test of time, and it remains a beloved example of the parody RPG genre.
Review
Keef the Thief is a unique and humorous RPG that is sure to appeal to fans of the genre. The game’s clever puzzles, witty dialogue, and charming characters make it a worthwhile experience for any gamer.
Score: 8/10
System: Apple IIGS
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: 1989
Genre: Role-playing game
Perspective: First-person
Input: Keyboard, mouse
Media: Floppy disk
Number of players: 1
ESRB rating: Everyone
Here are some additional details and trivia about Keef the Thief:
The game’s title is a reference to the 1960s British crime film “The Thief.”
The game’s music was composed by Mark Morgan, who would later go on to compose the music for the Fallout series.
Keef the Thief was one of the first games to use a point-and-click interface.
The game’s manual is written in a humorous style, and it includes several puzzles that the player must solve in order to progress.
Keef the Thief was originally going to be released for the Commodore 64, but the project was eventually canceled.
In 2015, Keef the Thief was released on GOG.com, making it available to a new generation of gamers.
Keef the Thief is a unique and charming RPG that is sure to appeal to fans of the genre. Its humor, clever puzzles, and memorable characters make it a worthwhile experience for any gamer.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
