Review: The Thing: Remastered
Image Credit: The Thing: Remastered
If you love survival horror games or classic horror movies, The Thing Remastered should be on your radar. Originally released during the PlayStation 2 era, this game picks up where John Carpenter's masterpiece, The Thing (1982), left off. In fact, Carpenter himself has called it canon. If you ever wondered what happened after the movie ended, this game gives you answers (and raises some new questions too).
The remaster by Night Dive Studios is nothing short of incredible. They've taken an old-school favorite and polished it for modern players, adding quality-of-life upgrades like rebindable controls, smoother mechanics, and updated graphics. While the original game had a lot of charm, it also felt dated with its visuals and clunky controls. The remaster fixes these issues while keeping the core experience intact.
Gameplay That Keeps You on Edge
The Thing focuses on survival and teamwork. You manage a squad of AI-controlled characters, each with different skills like engineering, combat, or medical expertise. Keeping your team alive—and sane—is a constant challenge. If their fear or distrust gets too high, they might refuse to help or even turn on you.
Resource management is critical. Ammo, health, and even your team's mental state need constant attention. The Arctic setting also adds to the tension. Spend too much time exposed to the freezing cold, and you'll start taking damage. This layer of realism makes the game more immersive and intense.
The remaster improves the AI, so squad members are more responsive and helpful.
Image Credit: The Thing: Remastered
A Visual and Atmospheric Upgrade
Night Dive Studios has done a fantastic job modernizing the game’s graphics. Snow effects, lighting, and the overall atmosphere feel fresh without losing the haunting tone of the original. The environments, including the iconic Outpost 31 and Norwegian base, are richly detailed. The remaster doesn’t completely overhaul the visual models, but it enhances them in a way that keeps the nostalgic feel alive.
Sound design also plays a big role. Instead of relying on a heavy soundtrack, the game uses eerie silence, crunching snow, and unsettling creature noises to build tension. It’s subtle but effective, pulling you deeper into the game’s isolated, hostile world.
A Seamless Experience
From start to finish, the remaster runs smoothly. There were no crashes or major bugs during gameplay. A minor menu glitch in the pre-release version occasionally skipped text, but it’s a small hiccup in an otherwise flawless experience.
The story itself is another highlight. It blends seamlessly with the movie’s narrative, answering lingering questions about characters like Childs and MacReady. At the same time, it leaves some mysteries unsolved, letting your imagination fill in the gaps.
Image Credit: The Thing: Remastered
Should You Play It?
Absolutely. Whether you're a fan of the original game, the movie, or just survival horror in general, The Thing Remastered is a must-play. It’s the perfect mix of nostalgia and modern polish. For newcomers, watching the movie first is highly recommended to fully appreciate the story and characters.
Night Dive Studios has done an incredible job bringing this classic back to life. With improved visuals, smarter AI, and smooth performance, this remaster is the definitive way to experience The Thing. It’s a 10/10 survival horror experience that deserves a place in your library.
Don’t miss it. Grab it on your favorite platform and prepare for a terrifying journey into the cold, desolate Arctic—where survival is anything but guaranteed.
Rating: 10/10
Review by Andrew Hamel
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