The Thing: Remastered – A Chilling Retro Horror Game

The Thing: Remastered – A Chilling Retro Horror Game

A Cult Classic Remaster

The Thing, a 2002 horror-action game, receives a remaster from Nightdive Studios. The game, a sequel to John Carpenter’s film, puts you in the role of Captain Blake, investigating Outpost 31 in Antarctica. The core gameplay involves a squad system where trust is paramount – anyone could be the shape-shifting alien.

Gameplay and Shortcomings

Maintaining your squad’s trust is key to survival. However, the game’s predetermined alien transformations limit the impact of this mechanic. While the remaster boasts improved visuals, controls, and quality-of-life changes, the core gameplay, including combat, remains largely unchanged from the 2002 version. The narrative is thin and stereotypical, detracting from the potential of the unique squad system.

Verdict

The Thing: Remastered is a faithful restoration of a flawed but intriguing game. Nightdive’s improvements are welcome, but the game’s inherent limitations, stemming from its original design, remain. A full remake would have been preferable to fully realize the potential of the unique trust and paranoia mechanics. Despite its flaws, it’s a commendable effort in game preservation and offers a unique horror experience.

• First Released Aug 20, 2002
• PC