Holland

Lore & Background

Holland is a sprawling, artificially constructed archipelago, seemingly designed as a private resort or testing ground for the obscenely wealthy. Its true origins are murky, but the islands are linked by rickety bridges and choppy waterways, each zone a distinct biome ripped from a different genre: a pirate cove where cutthroats still sing shanties, a haunted hotel that groans with ghostly laughter, a flight-combat arena buzzing with biplanes, a bloodthirsty circus where the ringmaster might eat you, and a heavily fortified vault that squats like a steel toad. The entire location is a puzzle box; completing one island unlocks the next, each victory a key turning in a lock that leads to Dr. M's fortress. The Cooper Gang sets up shop in a repurposed lighthouse on the central island, its beacon now a signal for thievery. Inside, the safe house doubles as a planning room and character-select hub, its interior subtly shifting decor depending on who you choose — Bentley's corner cluttered with blueprints, Murray's with dumbbells and protein bars. Holland is not just a setting but a character in itself, reflecting the series' shift toward open exploration while keeping the heist-caper soul intact. Beyond gameplay, Holland is thematically rich: it's where Sly confronts his father's ghost in the form of Dr. M, and finally unlocks the Cooper Vault. The name itself is a layered pun — 'holland' evoking the Netherlands' reclaimed land (a place built from nothing, like Sly's legacy), and 'hollow' hinting at the empty vault waiting to be filled.

In Their Own Story

The sea spray stung Sly's face as he stood on the dock of the central island, the safe house's beacon cutting through the fog. 'Alright, gang,' he said, turning to Bentley and Murray. 'This is it. Every island, every trap, every guard—it's all leading to that vault.' Bentley adjusted his glasses, a holographic map flickering to life between them. 'According to my calculations, the pirate cove is the softest target. We'll need to recruit a new member there to handle the flight missions.' Murray cracked his knuckles. 'Leave the heavy lifting to me, Bentley. I've been practicing my barrel roll.' Sly grinned, his cane spinning in his hand. 'Then let's make some noise.' The trio set off into the unknown, the first of many steps toward the Cooper legacy.

Reader's Guide

Holland is the central hub of Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves, replacing the traditional level-select screen with a fully explorable 3D world. Players begin on the main island, where the safe house provides access to character upgrades, mission briefings, and the ability to switch between Sly, Bentley, and Murray. From here, gates and waterways lead to four distinct themed islands: the pirate-themed 'Blood Bath Bay,' the haunted 'Dead Men Tell No Tales' hotel, the aerial combat zone 'Flight of the Navigator,' and the circus-themed 'Rumble Down Under.' Each island must be completed in a specific order, with its own set of missions, collectibles, and a final boss-like challenge. Holland is notable for its interconnected design; players can freely travel between completed islands, and certain missions require returning to previous areas with new abilities. The location also features hidden treasures, clue bottles, and optional challenges that reward the player with additional health or special moves. It serves as both a tutorial for the game's mechanics and a narrative bridge, with cutscenes and character interactions occurring as the player progresses. For completionists, Holland offers a rich environment to explore, with each island hiding secrets that flesh out the world's lore and the Cooper Gang's history. As the final hub of the original trilogy, Holland represents the series' peak of open-world design within the stealth-platformer genre. It is a testament to Sucker Punch Productions' ambition, offering a dense, cohesive world that feels alive and reactive to the player's actions.

Did You Know?

• Holland is the only hub world in the Sly Cooper series that is fully explorable in 3D, replacing the traditional level-select map.
• The name 'Holland' is a pun on both the Netherlands (a reclaimed land) and the word 'hollow,' referencing the Cooper Vault hidden beneath it.
• The safe house in Holland is a repurposed lighthouse, and its interior changes decoration based on which character is selected.
• Holland's design was influenced by the developers' desire to create a 'living world' that felt like a real vacation resort, complete with themed islands and interconnected paths.