So, Iris is a mission that I remember taking a gander at when it came out, and I was amazed cuz back then we had TDM 2.1, a major version with new support for Volumetric Lights, the other mission was Hazard Pay. Both of these missions, the best I remember is...I've got a new amazing PC, I wanted to try it already, but first I had to tweak it a bit and test it out, which I'm glad I did because I noticed it had issues with the RAM BIOS, an easy fix though.
And now finally after about 2 years later, I could give Iris a try. I have only two regrets and it's the same as in "Seeking Lady Leicester", the disgustingly annoying severe dry eye and the fact it's not cold enough in my place EVEN FOR THIS BLOODY MONTH.
I actually regret that so much, but either way, I have 0 regrets in playing this mission and enjoying it so much that I had a non-obligatory compromise on one of the days I was playing it.
This mission just has everything I love about TDM, Wellingtoncrab set himself to experiment with what he got and the idea was to make a sandbox-ish city you can explore, with a "quarantined quarter" also to explore. Both places are unique, beautiful in their way, you can even see some history between both.
The volumetric lights, the custom colour adjustment, the use of somewhat glowy blue fog to indicate windows you can get into, the "bipolarity" (heh, you know what I mean) of the NPCs...There's just way too much to talk about!
There are so many things I remember and a lot of them are so perfectly fit with Thief, my top favourite are the "Surprise Scary" parts, which I will mention in spoilers:
Red Rook is such a beautiful place despite the fact it's originally a fortress, there are so many places to visit. Sure, most of them are of low class, derelict and so on, but hey, 451 Courtyard sure is nice! Also it's ironic how the combination lock for the Courtyard is very straightforward, I've basically already mentioned just four paragraphs back
I have some peculiar questions though, be mindful that I haven't yet read the many collectible books in this mission, I will do so today in the night, but for now...
I have also indeed finished the mission, but I am not satisfied, I think there is more to it. I have got all the 4 secrets after I've got back home with all missions done, now I am trying to do everything, such as burglaring Percy and Calvin.
There are some hints I would like you to give me:
Absolutely wonderful mission where I will get to play it again, just to read all the books I've collected so I learn the story better, as well as hopefully find all the secrets, mementons and so on.
I rate it 5/5, it's PERFECT. It also seems to be Wellingtoncrab's first mission, first time, you did excellent, my friend!
I really absolutely hope to see more missions from you, as great as these, the one where it's set in daytime was actually fantastic despite being short.
The Dark Mod is just a miracle that keeps giving, I always do this and I will do it now again; I would like to give big thanks to everyone involved in this game, the graphics, the level editing, the improvements, the new shaders, the lore, the story, the voice acting, even all the mundane things that can be done! TDM is truly a worthy spiritual successor of what a "miracle" by itself Thief was.
Thank you, past and present, as well as present and future. Thank you for making Wellingtoncrab make such an amazing mission, same for everyone who made "Seeking Lady Leicester".