A hidden gem released in 2006, during a time when the golden days of Thief: The Dark Project modding had already passed. It was still a while before authors like Melan, BBB, and Vlad Midnight would begin a slow resurgence of fan missions designed in the classical T1 style. This mission, medium in size, takes us on a familiar journey. The objectives couldn't be more traditional: the rent is due, and it's time to head out for a nighttime stroll through the city, stealing anything that shines or holds even a hint of value.

The map takes us through a variety of locations. We explore apartments and shops. There is a tavern, complete with a bar full of drunks, which has become something of a classic trope in earlier missions. The mission also includes a Hammerite church, followed by a descent into tombs for a bit of tomb raiding. The variety of locations makes it feel like we are in a real city rather than just a collection of disconnected spaces.

There are some thoughtful visual novelties. A few characters have custom skins, which helps distinguish them from the usual NPC crowd. Certain lamps have flies buzzing around them - another lovely touch. There are also some custom ambient tracks; notably, the Hammerite temple features Buddhist chants. While totally unexpected, the choice actually blends surprisingly well with the scene (there is a partially visible but inaccessible area with some Hammerites praying in the pews) and does not feel out of place.

On the technical side, there are a few issues. Roombrushing could have been better in several places, which slightly affects immersion. Sound propagation is inconsistent, and in some areas, footsteps or ambient noise cut off abruptly. The lockpicking times in this mission are absurdly long, sometimes to the point of frustration. Still, these issues don’t seriously detract from the overall experience.

Despite its rough edges, I enjoyed playing Out for a Walk. It’s familiar in the best way - rooted in classic ideas, but with enough personal touches to make it stand out. Recommended.

Atmosphere: +15 points
Gameplay: +20 points
Story: +10 points
Originality Bonus: +5 points
Classic Experience Bonus: +10 points
Cinematic Bonus: N/A
Audio Bonus: +5 points
Debut FM Bonus: N/A
1999 FM: N/A
Classic Era FM (1999-2003): N/A
Laziness Penalty: N/A
Bugs Penalty: -5 points
AI Content Penalty: N/A
New Dark Penalty: N/A

Total Score: 60/100 or 6/10