Despite being an immersive multiplayer stealth game at its core, the playable characters from the newly revealedThick as Thievesseem to take more after some of Marvel’s heroes and villains, like those seen recently inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2. As part of its announcement during 2024’s The Game Awards,Thick as Thievesshowcased key details ranging from stealth-based gameplay to multiplayer functionality. However, the game’s small if not diverse roster of playable characters seemingly offers players more than different gameplay styles, as each appears to have been influenced by several different Marvel characters.
While it’s more than likely that developer Otherside Entertainment took moreinspiration from theThiefseries forThick as Thievesthan it did the likes ofMarvel’s Rivals orSpider-Man 2, there is a potential overlap between its playable characters and those owned by Marvel. For instance, even though only three playable characters have been named so far, all three seem to share some likeness, at least in name, to various Marvel heroes and villains. Yet these names and potential Marvel parallels could give players some insight into what to expect fromThick as Thievesand its three playable characters.
Exploring Thick as Thieves' Confirmed Playable Characters
ThoughThick as Thieves' scope is already ambitious, with its Steam page outlining the game’s living world, PvPvE gameplay, and evolving stories, its playable characters provide another layer to the game judging by its trailer.The characters revealed forThick as Thievesso far include the Hood, the Spider, and the Chameleon, each of whom appears to have their own unique features or gimmicks for players to experiment with during gameplay. But based on what’s known about these characters fromThick as Thieves' trailer, players may already be able to get an idea of what to expect by comparing them to various Marvel characters.
Comparing Thick as Thieves' The Hood to Marvel Villains and Antiheroes
Both Marvel andThick as Thievesboth have a character known as The Hood, though the former’s villain is a mystically enhanced criminal with abilities such as invisibility, levitation, and firearm proficiency. WhileThick as Thievesmay take place in an alternate history, the game’s more grounded approach to gameplay might instead liken its Hood to other Marvel characters in line with its cat burglary gameplay, such as the antiheroine Black Cat. However, based onThick as Thieves' announcement trailer, the Hood wields a baton or club, which could suggest the character will cater to more aggressive players than those preferring to avoid confrontation.
Comparing Thick as Thieves' The Spider to Marvel’s Spider-Man and Venom
Similarly, Marvel’s Black Cat is often paired alongside Spider-Man as an enemy, ally, and even love interest and segues perfectly toThick as Thieves’next character from its trailer: the Spider. Based on the name and possible parallels to Marvel’s most well-known wall-crawler,Thick as Thieves' Spider may provide a similar gameplay gimmick with potential abilities to climb walls, ceilings, and more. But unlike the hero Spider-Man, the better comparison forThick as Thieves' Spider could be Venom, who has recently been avillain in games like Marvel’sRivalsorSpider-Man 2and an antihero in Sony’sVenomfilm trilogy.
Comparing Thick as Thieves' The Chameleon to Marvel’s Own Chameleon
Finally, in the same vein,Thick as Thieves' last confirmed character, the Chameleon, shares his name with another Marvel villain who is often part of Spider-Man’s rogues gallery.Marvel’s Chameleon as seen inKraventhe Hunteris best known for the ability to transform or impersonate other people, an ability which could tie intoThick as Thieves' version of the character based on its stealth gameplay. If the Hood allows players to play aggressively while the Spider lets players avoid confrontation by climbing away,Thick as Thieves' Chameleon could borrow the same ability from Marvel and have players hide in plain sight disguised as other characters.
