Responding to consternation regarding (the thankfully no longer named) Thi4f, Eidos Montreal have made it uncategorically clear that players will never (not even 'boss' fights it seems) reach any point where killing is mandatory. Responding, more specifically, to concern regarding a statement that Garrett will be less Gothic and more 'mainstream' in this blog post. Though it's obvious there has been no small degree of influence taken from an unnamed game who quite dishonourably borrowed a great deal from Thief in the first place, the more stealthy ninja killy death approach is entirely optional (citation below) which is a very wise move in my humble opinion. But you, my brothers of the shadows, stalk your way to the bottom of the page and slip your blade between the ribs of our comments section with your thoughts on the matter.

"Each path comes with a set of challenges, encounters and looting opportunities. Difficulty options allow the experience to be scaled for hardcore fans of the original series, but to also let newcomers have a lot of fun. And yes, you can complete the game without killing anybody – Garrett is a Master Thief, not a killing machine!"