The beginning of this mission is better than I remember. Still, I'm glad it isn't emblematic of the whole thing. This most basic type of stealth gameplay doesn't match the ambition of Thief.

When you reach the mansion after this tailing section, the mission truly begins. This mission plays similarly to Bafford's Manor, except guards are more numerous, more alert, and there's an alarm system that guards can activate once they notice you. The alarm cannot be turned off, and keeps the guards alert. It's pretty easy to trigger. Fortunately, the guards aren't always close enough to be affected by its noise.

When considering the layout, I prefer Bafford's Manor. Bafford's place just feels a bit more cozy, has less random empty rooms strewn about the building, and feels a bit more logically laid out. I guess Ramirez just doesn't care as much about interior design. His library and personal rooms look pretty nice, though.

The higher amount of guards, addition of guard towers and a bit more complicated mansion layout does improve the gameplay compared to Bafford's, however. This mission feels a lot more tense from start to finish. Meeting with the mansion's owner himself is also a big plus. The context of this mission is better, too. Ramirez is a lot more involved with running the city, compared to the lesser noble Bafford. This means the readables actually flesh out the world more.

Overall, I think this mission is just as good as Bafford's Manor, but they both stand out for different reasons. The developers certainly succeeded in making you excited for the return to the world of the living, after Bonehoard. Unfortunately, the next mission might put a dent in your excitement...