The Thing: Remastered

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 319 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
The Thing: Remastered Game Cover
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"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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 319 reviews
gameplay18 positive mentions
music4 negative mentions
  • The remaster features significant graphical improvements, including enhanced textures and lighting, making it visually appealing while maintaining the original art style.
  • Quality of life improvements, such as better controls and an autosave feature, enhance the overall gameplay experience compared to the original.
  • The game successfully captures the atmosphere and tension of the original film, providing a nostalgic experience for fans.
  • The gameplay can feel dated, with some mechanics, such as the trust and infection systems, not being fully realized or impactful.
  • The AI for squadmates can be frustrating, often getting stuck or failing to follow commands, which can disrupt gameplay.
  • The game is relatively short, clocking in at around 5-6 hours, which may not justify the full price for some players.
  • gameplay68 mentions

    The gameplay of the remastered title is generally seen as more accessible than the original, with improved controls and some quality-of-life fixes, but it still suffers from outdated mechanics and a lack of depth in its core systems, such as the trust and infection mechanics. While the game offers a nostalgic experience with tense squad-based gameplay and a unique atmosphere, many players feel that its ambitious ideas remain underutilized and that the overall execution falls short of modern standards. Despite its flaws, the gameplay can still be engaging and enjoyable for fans of the genre, though some recommend waiting for a sale due to its relatively short length and lingering issues.

    • “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 gameplay is still just as fun and nerve-wracking, the story still delivers that classic sense of paranoia, and the whole experience feels like a love letter to fans of both the 2002 game and Carpenter’s movie.”
    • “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.”
    • “Fear, trust, and infection mechanics are half-baked and can’t really shine in a game so short and linear.”
    • “Major issues have been fixed, but strangely the minor issues remain, like the AI's pathfinding and the lack of fixed gameplay depth that was promised. Oddly, it also lacks a bit of difficulty; I thought normal would provide some challenges, but every time I died, it was due to my own incompetence, not the game.”
    • “The game mechanics also feel outdated and nonsensical.”
  • story43 mentions

    The story of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it predictable and lacking depth, often comparing it unfavorably to the original 1982 film. While some appreciate the nostalgic elements and the continuation of the lore, others criticize the plot for being generic and poorly executed, particularly in the latter stages. Overall, the narrative is seen as a simple backdrop to the gameplay, which is where the game truly shines.

    • “Part of the mystery and 'unknown' factor is very much part of the charm of the storytelling within this universe.”
    • “The gameplay is still just as fun and nerve-wracking, the story still delivers that classic sense of paranoia, and the whole experience feels like a love letter to fans of both the 2002 game and Carpenter’s movie.”
    • “All the characters have a lot of personality and again the universe this game is set in is fantastic, so overall if you care about a good story, I would recommend this game.”
    • “The plot is predictable and boring; the shooting is clunky, with no feedback to speak of, and the level design is simplistic, and not in a good way.”
    • “But the game’s story becomes even worse, introducing aspects typical for an alien sequel that don’t fit into what the original was about, and the storytelling is a complete mess.”
    • “Maybe I just have the nostalgia glasses off, but the plot of this story is all over the place and hardly makes any sense.”
  • graphics38 mentions

    The graphics of the remastered game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the significant improvements in visual fidelity, dynamic lighting, and textures that enhance the overall experience while maintaining the original art style. However, some critics feel that the updates are merely modest and do not fully capitalize on modern graphical capabilities, likening the enhancements to those of earlier console generations rather than a complete overhaul. Overall, while the remaster offers a visually appealing experience, opinions vary on whether it meets the expectations set by contemporary standards.

    • “The graphics and especially the new lighting and shadows are phenomenal.”
    • “The graphical updates are fantastic, the added facial animations to the characters look great, and the new lighting makes it look more like the movie did.”
    • “It raised the graphical level massively, while not ruining the original art style and atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Not worth $30 for a 22-year-old game with slight graphical improvements.”
    • “The graphics are not impressive, but it's enjoyable.”
    • “The remaster - while it improves the graphics and makes combat in the second part less frustrating, still can't exactly do much to salvage it without reworking levels and gameplay to a point where it'd be a different game.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke tension, paranoia, and a sense of isolation reminiscent of the 1982 film. Players appreciate the immersive audio and visual elements, such as dynamic lighting and retexturing, which enhance the overall experience, although some note that audio mixing issues can disrupt immersion. Overall, the game successfully captures the chilling essence of its source material, making it a standout feature despite some shortcomings in ambient sound design.

    • “If you’re a fan, that’s your best chance to relive that thick atmosphere, visit the locations from 1982’s masterpiece, get an official closure on what had happened in the finale, fire up the blowtorch and go out into a freezing blue darkness of the Arctic.”
    • “The paranoia, the creepy atmosphere, the feeling of isolation, it’s all here, and it’s just as nerve-wracking as it was in the early 2000s.”
    • “I can say with confidence that this nails the atmosphere, tension, and paranoia of Carpenter's film.”
    • “With good audio, which is most important to create atmosphere in a game, this could be a much better experience.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • music15 mentions

    The music in the game is largely criticized for its absence, with players noting that they struggle to recall any memorable tracks aside from the credits tune. Many reviews highlight the lack of music during key moments, such as boss fights, which detracts from the overall atmosphere and tension. Additionally, there are complaints about audio mixing issues and abrupt transitions that disrupt immersion, suggesting a need for more thoughtful sound design and musical integration.

    • “Sound design was good enough, the music was good.”
    • “Also, I would have to agree with other reviews mentioning that the audio aspect needs more polishing, as there are occasional soundtrack and sound effects mixing issues which build up the atmosphere and suspense for about 3 seconds and just cut off into silence, which kind of disrupts the immersion.”
    • “Music is severely lacking; can’t remember a single track apart from the credits tune, and it’s not that they were bland - I just can’t remember any existing in the first place.”
    • “The sound design and lack of music really kills the overall experience.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization14 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with most players reporting smooth performance at 60fps and minimal issues, aside from occasional shader-related audio desync during cutscenes. The remaster effectively balances improved graphics and lighting while maintaining a manageable installation size, making it accessible even on lower-end systems. Players appreciate the seamless experience and well-implemented controls, highlighting that the game runs flawlessly without significant bugs or crashes.

    • “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.”
    • “Overall performance is great even on my current travel potato rig.”
    • “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.”
  • stability12 mentions

    The game's stability is mixed, with some players reporting minor bugs and glitches, such as getting stuck or AI behavior issues, while others have experienced smooth gameplay with no significant problems. Overall, it runs well and looks good, but players recommend saving in multiple slots to mitigate potential issues. Despite the occasional bugs, many find the game enjoyable and a worthy remaster of a cult classic.

    • “Runs great and looks good.”
    • “Runs great, and sadly that is not to be expected these days, even for a remaster.”
    • “This looks great, runs great, and the quality of life updates are most welcome.”
    • “The game is very buggy; I'll change my review once the game gets patched a few times.”
    • “It's not groundbreaking, but it's a good trip down memory lane, and I'm happy with how it played, glitches aside.”
    • “A tiny bit buggy with falling into the snow and not being able to move, but all you have to do is crouch and pop yourself out.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game's replayability is limited, primarily hinging on individual enjoyment of the campaign, which can be completed in under 10 hours. The absence of new game plus modes or alternative gameplay options further diminishes its replay value, leading to concerns about its overall worth given the price.

    • “The game can be completed in under 10 hours, but the replayability really hinges on how much you enjoyed the campaign.”
    • “The absence of new game plus modes or alternate game modes limits the replayability, which is a downside 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, the game is missing new game plus modes or alternate game modes to enhance replayability, which is another detractor to the price tag.”
    • “In most countries, where on average you earn over $2400 or 2400€ a month (before taxes), being asked to pay 30€ or $30 for a 5-hour long mediocre game with low replayability is quite frustrating.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy for this remaster is criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it merely updates specifications without offering substantial improvements, leading them to recommend the original version instead.

    • “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.”
    • “Would recommend sticking to the original and ignoring this attempted cash grab that feels like it exists for a developer's portfolio rather than a serious remaster.”
  • humor2 mentions

    Players appreciate the humor in the game, noting that it includes amusing moments and entertaining bugs that enhance the experience. Many find the comedic elements to be a highlight, contributing to their overall enjoyment.

    • “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.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly in the second half, where they face repetitive combat against human enemies and engage in 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 and levels detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
5-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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