Arsene Lupin - Once a Thief is a single-player adventure-puzzle game set in the early 20th century. Players follow the early life and exploits of the gentleman thief Arsene Lupin through stories adapted from Maurice Leblanc's original tales. The experience centers on switching between Lupin carrying out thefts and Detective Ganimard investigating those same events.
Gameplay
The core loop combines exploration of detailed environments with puzzle solving and narrative progression. As Lupin, the focus falls on moving through varied locations, using disguises to avoid detection, and completing tasks that advance the heists. Puzzles often involve interacting with objects and characters in ways that reflect the thief's clever methods.
Switching to Ganimard shifts the emphasis to investigation. This includes examining crime scenes for clues, questioning individuals, building timelines from gathered information, and linking evidence to form conclusions. The dual viewpoints create a back-and-forth structure where actions taken in one role influence understanding of the other.
Visuals draw from classic book illustrations that animate during key sequences. Characters appear in a stylized yet grounded manner consistent with the period setting. Audio supports the tone through a jazz-influenced soundtrack that underscores the lighthearted criminal elements.
Game Modes
The game operates entirely in a single-player format without multiplayer components. Progression follows a linear narrative path broken into chapters that alternate between Lupin's escapades and Ganimard's pursuit. No separate difficulty settings or optional side activities appear beyond the main story sequence.
Players experience the full campaign by completing both thief and detective segments in sequence. Achievements track specific actions such as successful disguises or accurate deductions across the available stories.
Story and Presentation
The narrative retells selected Lupin adventures from fresh angles, including events drawn from tales like The Arrest of Arsene Lupin. Lupin and author Maurice Leblanc appear in framing scenes by a fireside, providing context for the retold escapades. This approach highlights the transformation of Lupin from a young burglar into a more established figure.
Environments span multiple settings that support both stealth-oriented sequences and methodical searches. Colorful supporting characters populate these spaces, each contributing to the unfolding events without extensive backstory development.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception on Steam stands at mixed, with 67 percent of user reviews rating the title positively after its October 2024 release. Reviewers note the appeal of alternating perspectives in a cat-and-mouse format that keeps the story engaging. The puzzles and deduction elements receive praise for their integration, though some describe the overall challenge level as modest and the total length as relatively brief.
This title suits players who enjoy story-focused adventure games with investigative mechanics and period atmosphere. Those seeking high-stakes tension or extensive replay options may find the experience lighter than expected. The dual-role structure provides the main draw for fans of classic mystery adaptations.
