Prague

Lore & Background

Prague is depicted as a dark, gothic city of cobblestone streets, towering spires, and perpetual twilight. The Contessa, a former Interpol agent turned criminal hypnotist, has established her operation here, using her mansion and a nearby asylum as her base. She uses hypnotic technology—a glowing, all-seeing eye that can stun or control enemies—to control guards and extract secrets, making her a formidable foe for the Cooper Gang. The episode is notable for its eerie atmosphere, with the asylum serving as a prison for Bentley after he is captured. The gang must navigate the city's rooftops and interiors to sabotage the Contessa's plans, culminating in a confrontation where Sly and Murray rescue Bentley from a cell bathed in green, hypnotic light. Prague also introduces the Contessa's signature weapon: a hypnotic eye that can stun or control enemies. The city's architecture blends real-world Prague's gothic and baroque styles—think spires piercing low-hanging clouds, gargoyles leering from rain-streaked eaves—with the game's cartoonish aesthetic, creating a memorable backdrop for stealth-based missions. The episode's tone balances tension with the series' characteristic humor, particularly in interactions between the characters, like Murray's panicked muttering as he fumbles through asylum corridors.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell in sheets over the gothic spires of Prague, slicking the cobblestones as Sly crouched on a gargoyle's head. Below, the Contessa's guards patrolled the courtyard of her mansion, their footsteps echoing in the wet night. 'Bentley's in the asylum,' Murray's voice crackled through the earpiece, tight with worry. 'We need to move.' Sly grinned, flipping his cane. 'Let's give the Contessa a headache.' He dropped silently, a shadow among shadows, as the city's ancient stones bore witness to another heist—and the distant howl of asylum inmates underscored the stakes.

Reader's Guide

Prague is the second episode in *Sly 2: Band of Thieves*, taking place after the events in Paris. The city is divided into several areas: the Contessa's mansion—a maze of lavish ballrooms and secret passages—the asylum, a labyrinth of damp cells and flickering lights, and the surrounding streets of rain-slicked rooftops and guarded alleys. Players must complete missions to infiltrate both locations, steal the hypnotic equipment, and rescue Bentley from the asylum's cells. The episode introduces new gameplay mechanics, including the Contessa's hypnotic eye, which can stun Sly if he is caught in its beam—forcing players to time their movements carefully. Players must use stealth to avoid guards and solve puzzles to progress, such as disabling security systems or navigating pressure-plate traps. The episode also features a boss fight against the Contessa herself, requiring players to use the environment—like chandeliers and collapsing floors—to defeat her. Prague serves as a key turning point in the game's story, deepening the mystery of the Klaww Gang and setting up future episodes. Its gothic atmosphere and challenging missions make it a fan-favorite location in the series, remembered for its haunting score and the tension of Bentley's captivity.

Did You Know?

• The Contessa's mansion is based on real Prague architecture, including elements of the Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral.
• The asylum in Prague is the first location in the series where players can control Bentley in a combat role.
• Prague is the only episode in *Sly 2* that features a day/night cycle, with missions taking place at different times.
• The Contessa's hypnotic eye mechanic was inspired by classic horror films about mind control.