The Thing: Remastered
Release Date: December 5, 2024
Action, TPP, survival horror, movies, remasters/remakes, singleplayer
OpenCritic
Steam
A new version of the survival horror from 2002, based on the popular horror movie license. The Thing: Remastered was created by Nightdive Studios, offering much refreshed graphics. We play as Captain J.F. Blake, trying to solve the mystery of Outpost 31 in Antarctica.
Videos and Screens
[1:09] The Thing: Remastered - Release Trailer
[1:26] The Thing: Remastered Gameplay Trailer
Niche Gamer: 6 / 10 by Fingal Belmont
Nightdive has made an exceptional remaster of a very mediocre game. The Thing does not deserve this kind of attention. There are better games out there that could have gotten this treatment, but hopefully, it inspires someone else to take another shot at adapting John Carpenter’s immortal classic. Its premise is still fertile and novel and maybe one day, someone will get it right.
Shacknews: 8 / 10 by TJ Denzer
The Thing, by its very concepts and mechanics, is well worth the price of admission for historians and enthusiasts. There really isn’t much quite like it, and perhaps that’s because it would be difficult to pull off well. For what it’s worth, The Thing was never perfect. It has some weird speed in its overall gameplay and cringy dialogue that detract from its scarier elements, but those elements are still fun, and with the improvements that address a sore spot in its strength, The Thing: Remastered makes an interesting outlier of the horror genre that much more valuable.
GameSpot: 6 / 10 by Richard Wakeling
Deck: The Thing: Remastered reintroduces a flawed but fascinating game, with overhauled visuals and a number of crucial quality-of-life improvements
The main pros of the game
- Visual Improvements: Users praise the graphical updates, including higher quality models, textures, and lighting, which enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.
- Performance: Many reviews highlight that the game runs smoothly, with options for high frame rates and no significant bugs or crashes reported during gameplay.
- Nostalgia Factor: Fans of the original game and the 1982 film appreciate the nostalgic experience and the faithful recreation of the game's core elements.
- Atmosphere and Story: The game successfully captures the eerie atmosphere of the original film, with a story that intrigues players and encourages exploration.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Changes to controls, inventory management, and AI behavior have made the game more accessible and enjoyable compared to the original.
The main cons of the game
- Short Length: Many users note that the game is relatively short, with playtimes around 5-7 hours, which some feel does not justify the price tag.
- AI Issues: Despite some improvements, the AI for both enemies and companions is still criticized for being clunky and unhelpful at times, leading to frustrating gameplay moments.
- Gameplay Mechanics: Several reviews mention that the gameplay feels dated, with some mechanics not being fully fleshed out, particularly the trust and fear systems among squad members.
- Lack of Audio Variety: Users express disappointment with the sound design, noting the absence of ambient music and sound effects, which detracts from the overall horror experience.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- More Achievements and Content: Players desire additional Steam achievements, collectibles, and possibly a new game+ mode to enhance replayability.
- Enhanced Survival Horror Elements: Many reviews suggest that the game could benefit from deeper survival horror mechanics, such as resource management and more challenging gameplay.
- Better Sound Design: Users wish for improved audio, including a more dynamic soundtrack and ambient sounds to enhance immersion.
- Expanded Story and Gameplay Depth: Some players feel that the story could be more engaging and that the gameplay could incorporate more modern design elements to elevate the experience.
Summary
- Overall, while The Thing: Remastered is celebrated for its nostalgic value and visual upgrades, it also faces criticism for its length, AI issues, and some remaining dated mechanics. Users generally recommend waiting for a sale before purchasing due to the perceived high price for a relatively short experience.
Summary generated on:
The Thing: Remastered Description
The Thing: Remastered is a refreshed version of the survival horror shooter titled The Thing, released in 2002. Like the original, this game was based on the license of the 1982 cult film of the same title.
The development of the remaster was handled by the specialized team at Nightdive Studios, known for refreshing classics. Their portfolio includes such projects as System Shock Remake, Turok Remastered, and Killing Time: Resurrected.
Plot
Similar to the original, The Thing: Remastered is a continuation of the events from the horror movie. At the Outpost 31 research facility in Antarctica, an alien life form appeared, capable of taking on a human form. It wiped out the research team stationed there.
The main character of the game is Captain J.F. Blake, leading the rescue team of the United States Army Special Forces. The protagonist and his entourage arrive at the scene to investigate the case and unravel the mystery of the scientists' death. However, their stay at Outpost 31 quickly becomes a real fight for survival. Not only is the place teeming with monsters created by a mysterious being, but at any moment any member of Blake's team can turn into one of them.
Gameplay
In The Thing: Remastered we watch the action from a third-person perspective (TPP). The game allows us to choose up to four team members, to whom we can give simple orders. They represent professions such as soldier, medic, and engineer.
While traveling through Outpost 31, we must constantly be on our guard, because danger lurks at every step. The visible threat are the opponents that we eliminate, making use of a rich arsenal that includes machine guns and explosives, as well as a more sophisticated flamethrower. On our path stand various adversaries, such as screeching, spider-like heads, humanoid wanderers, and gigantic, tentacled beasts.
That's not everything, as we are also dealing with a less tangible danger here. Our companions can get infected, and then their new, murderous nature will remind itself at the least expected moment. It is possible to protect against this threat by regularly examining members of the unit and survivors encountered along the way (who may join us), however abusing this option intensifies the fear of our colleagues, while simultaneously reducing their trust in us, which can ultimately lead them to rebellion or even paranoia.
New engine and refreshed graphics
The Thing: Remastered uses the proprietary KEX Engine technology. While working on this project, the authors focused primarily on the graphic design. The remaster stands out from the original thanks to improved character models, textures and animations, as well as improved lighting and particle effects.
The Thing: Remastered Summary
Game Series: The Thing
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Developer: Nightdive Studios
Publisher: Nightdive Studios
Age restrictions: 18+
The Thing: Remastered System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4 GHz / AMD Ryzen 3 1300X 3.5 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 650 Ti / 1 GB Radeon HD 7750, 5 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 3.2 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce GTX 1070 / Radeon RX Vega 56, 5 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Iconic Horror Game Returns. Official Announcement of The Thing: Remastered
The developers of System Shock Remake, Nightdive studio, officially announced a refreshed version of the cult horror game The Thing.
video games
Kamil Kleszyk
June 10, 2024