The Thing: Remastered

About

"The Thing: Remastered" is a survival horror shooter game that serves as a sequel to the 1982 film. As Cpt J.F. Blake, you lead a team to investigate the mysterious deaths at Outpost 31 in Antarctica, where you encounter a shape-shifting alien. The game features enhanced graphics, fast-paced squad action, and a challenging blend of survival horror. Your team's survival depends on your ability to utilize all members and uncover the truth behind the alien threat.

Genres & Tags

Action

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 523 reviews

gameplay28 positive mentions

stability15 negative mentions

The remaster enhances the graphics and lighting, making the game visually appealing while maintaining the original atmosphere.
The squad mechanics add an interesting layer of strategy, as players must manage trust and fear among teammates.
The game successfully captures the suspense and paranoia of the original film, providing a nostalgic experience for fans.

The gameplay can feel dated and clunky, with AI pathfinding issues and unresponsive controls at times.
The story lacks depth and coherence, often feeling generic and predictable, especially in the latter half of the game.
The game is relatively short, with many players completing it in under 6 hours, leading to concerns about its value at full price.

gameplay
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
68%
9%
The gameplay of the remastered title has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the nostalgic squad mechanics and unique infection system, while others criticize the linearity, glitches, and underutilization of these mechanics. Although some improvements have been made to controls and visuals, the overall experience is often described as dated and lacking depth, failing to fully realize its potential as a survival horror game. Despite its flaws, fans of the original find enjoyment in the atmosphere and core gameplay loop, making it a decent, albeit imperfect, homage to the 2002 classic.
- “The gameplay loop in general is quite fun and satisfying in my opinion, and I like the fact that you can't kill the regular big enemies without using two weapons, first bullets, then fire.”
- “The gameplay is just as tense and engaging as you remember, leading a team through the frozen wasteland of Antarctica, battling freaky shape-shifting monsters, and never knowing who you can trust.”
- “The squad-based mechanics are really good, especially for 2002, and I found the infection system to be a nice twist that keeps you guessing as to if your teammates are infected or not.”
- “Gameplay: 0/10, ultra linear levels, game-breaking glitches at Blair's cabin.”
- “From my perspective, one of the biggest faults with the game is that it's too action-oriented to be a survival horror game, but the combat and shooting mechanics aren't good enough to support themselves either.”
- “The so-called 'squad mechanic' is so bare bones it might as well not even exist; it's as if they forgot they were making a 'The Thing' movie-themed video game and added a 'trust' system at the very last second.”
story
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
79%
5%
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its connection to John Carpenter's 1982 film "The Thing" and its unique elements, while others criticize it as generic, thin, and poorly executed. Many reviewers noted that the narrative feels disjointed and lacks depth, often resorting to clichés and predictable plot twists, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, fans of the original film may find some enjoyment in the nostalgic references and continuation of the plot, though a desire for a more refined and engaging story remains prevalent among players.
- “I was very pleasantly surprised by this game; the story was unique enough in its own right to warrant it as the 'direct sequel' to John Carpenter's The Thing.”
- “You get a nice continuation of the plot from a team that obviously had a great deal of affection for the source material.”
- “The story takes place right after the events of the film and is canon according to John Carpenter himself, so that's pretty cool if you're a fan.”
- “The story is extremely thin, but not anything bad like Aliens: Colonial Marines.”
- “There’s no hope of taking the plot seriously after the first hour - and it’s quickly evident that this story is painfully generic and could be an original IP just as easily as this one.”
- “But the game’s story becomes even worse, introduces aspects typical for an alien sequel, that don’t fit into what The Thing was about, and the storytelling is a complete mess.”
graphics
79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
67%
4%
The graphics of the remastered game have received significant upgrades, enhancing the original's visuals while maintaining its distinctive art style. While some players appreciate the improved lighting and textures, others note that the graphics still reflect the limitations of early 2000s technology, leading to mixed feelings about the overall aesthetic. Overall, the remaster is seen as a solid improvement, though many hope for a complete remake with modern graphics in the future.
- “It perfectly captures the suspense, paranoia, and isolation of the original film while enhancing it with stunning visuals and refined details.”
- “The remaster preserves every detail of the 2002 cult classic while refining its visuals and gameplay to meet contemporary standards.”
- “The graphics and especially the new lighting and shadows are phenomenal.”
- “Graphics: 1/10, 1990's low-polygon stuff.”
- “The graphics have not aged well, and character models are way behind MGS2, which came out before The Thing.”
- “Not worth $30 for a 22-year-old game with slight graphical improvements.”
atmosphere
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
48%
9%
The remastered version of the game successfully retains the original's gritty and oppressive atmosphere, enhancing it with improved graphics, lighting, and visual effects that elevate the experience. While the initial hours effectively build tension and immersion reminiscent of the 1982 film, some players noted a decline in atmospheric quality as the game progresses. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its ability to evoke feelings of paranoia and isolation, making it a compelling choice for fans of horror.
- “The remastered version strikes a great balance—updating the experience for modern audiences without losing the gritty, atmospheric essence that made the original so unforgettable.”
- “The game captures that same oppressive, paranoid atmosphere that made the film so iconic.”
- “The atmosphere and attention to detail is impeccable, and little nods make my inner nerd very happy!”
- “The opening couple of hours started strongly and created a real atmosphere and ambience before devolving to become fairly generic.”
- “But there is a significant lack of proper ambient sounds to build the atmosphere, while the sounds that are there are not going to work well for a horror game either to scare the player off once eventually stuff happens.”
- “Also, I would have to agree with other reviews mentioning that the audio aspect needs more polishing, as there are occasional soundtrack and SFX mixing issues which disrupt the immersion.”
stability
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
71%
Overall, the stability of the game is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and improved graphics in the remaster, several also encounter bugs and glitches, particularly with AI companions and certain gameplay mechanics. Some users experienced game-breaking issues, while others noted minor glitches that were manageable. Despite these inconsistencies, the game generally runs well on modern hardware, with some players recommending save file management to mitigate potential issues.
- “Looks good on new hardware and runs great with some controls refined for PC.”
- “Runs great and looks good.”
- “This looks great, runs great and the quality of life updates are most welcome.”
- “Gameplay: 0/10, ultra linear levels, game-breaking glitches at Blair's cabin.”
- “The only real complaint I have is the buggy squadmates who will regularly just stop following you at certain points or just run headfirst into swarms of creatures and get infected.”
- “Game is very buggy, I'll change my review once the game gets patched a few times.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
67%
19%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its fantastic quality and unique tracks, while others criticize its absence during key gameplay moments, such as boss fights and throughout much of the campaign. Many players feel that the lack of a consistent soundtrack detracts from the overall experience, suggesting that additional ambient music and sound effects could enhance immersion and tension. Overall, while there are standout moments, the music's inconsistency and limited presence leave many players wanting more.
- “The game-play is fun and the music is fantastic.”
- “Sound design was good enough, the music was good.”
- “I understand this remaster wants to retain as much of the original as possible, but I can't imagine new or old players would have been bothered with more environmental sounds and ambient/music tracks added to the levels/boss fights.”
- “The music is weirdly absent for a lot of the campaign; a handful of 10-second stingers here and there in a cutscene, but even boss fights lack music. While it's okay if boss fights lack some music, they need to compensate with some more awful monster screams.”
- “Besides some very short snippets of music, there’s literally no good audio in the game at all, which could have created some tension.”
- “The sound design and lack of music really kills the overall experience.”
optimization
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
35%
18%
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with most players experiencing smooth performance and impressive graphics upgrades typical of Nightdive Studios' remastering. While minor issues like shader stutter and audio desynchronization in cutscenes were noted, they did not significantly detract from the overall seamless gameplay experience. The game runs well even on lower-end systems, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players.
- “The remastering here is done well, as expected from Nightdive Studios; graphics received a nice upgrade and the game runs smoothly.”
- “It’s rare to see a remaster this well-optimized, and it made my entire playthrough feel seamless.”
- “On the technical side, the game is well-optimized, with no performance issues apart from that one glitch.”
- “The decision to only bump the graphics up to Xbox 360/PS3 level was a genius move not just in terms of art but in performance as well.”
- “As for performance, it looks way better than the original: very close to a PS3 era game.”
- “Proof you don't need stupid performance-crippling ray tracing to have a gorgeous game.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The game's replayability is rated 5/10, primarily due to its short campaign length of under 10 hours and a lack of new game plus or alternative modes. While the remaster improves combat AI, the last third of the game detracts from the overall experience, making replay value highly dependent on individual enjoyment of the campaign. Many players feel the price does not justify the limited replayability offered.
- “The remaster enhances the combat AI, making the game more enjoyable and playable.”
- “Replayability is entirely dependent upon how much you enjoyed the campaign, as the game can be completed in less than 10 hours.”
- “The absence of new game plus modes or alternate game modes limits the replayability, which is a drawback considering the price.”
- “Finally, do keep in mind the game can be beaten in less than 10 hours, the last third of the game seems to negatively change in both story and quality, and replayability is entirely dependent upon how much you enjoyed the campaign.”
- “Unfortunately, missing NG+ modes or alternate game modes to bring replayability to it, which is another detractor to the price tag.”
- “When in most countries where on average you'll earn over $2400 or 2400€ a month (before taxes) and then you are asked to pay 30€ or $30 for a 5-hour long mediocre game with low replayability - that's one thing.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players noting its comedic moments and entertaining cutscenes that enhance the experience. However, to fully appreciate the humor, it's essential to pay close attention to the cutscenes, as player input can skip them. Overall, the game offers a mix of funny moments and enjoyable gameplay, reminiscent of the original PC version.
- “It can be pretty funny, as my girlfriend said more than once while I played through this game, but if you really want to understand what's going on, then you better pay attention to all the cutscenes and keep your hands away from the controller, as any input will skip them.”
- “Not even a quarter of the way into the game, I loved playing the original even with its quality and sometimes funny bugs.”
- “I had a blast playing it; there were some very funny moments.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with reviewers noting that it merely updates the original for current systems without meaningful improvements. Many recommend avoiding this remaster in favor of the original, viewing it as an opportunistic attempt to capitalize on nostalgia rather than a genuine enhancement.
- “The game is a product of its time (and by this I mean it's a generic cash grab tie-in shooter).”
- “Mediocre cash grab.”
- “They do it for a cash grab, simply updating specs to run on current systems and slapping on the label 'remaster' to put on a higher price tag.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight the emotional impact of the game, noting that its meticulous attention to detail evokes a strong sense of nostalgia and connection to John Carpenter's classic film, making players feel immersed in the atmosphere of Outpost 31.
- “Every scene feels like a respectful nod to John Carpenter’s masterpiece, and the attention to detail made me feel like I was back in Outpost 31.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly in the second half, where they are required to engage in repetitive combat against human enemies and complete monotonous objectives, such as destroying planes. This shift detracts from the overall experience, making it feel less engaging.
- “The majority of the second part of the game involves fighting human enemies with guns and completing tedious objectives, like blowing up planes. Does this really fit the game's theme at this point?”
- “Grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
- “The amount of time spent grinding for resources is frustrating and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”