The Thing: Remastered brings back the cult classic 2002 game with improved visuals and quality-of-life updates, faithfully preserving its unique blend of trust, paranoia, and horror-action gameplay. Acting as a sequel to John Carpenter’s 1982 film, the game immerses players in an unsettling atmosphere as Captain Blake, leading a squad against shape-shifting alien threats.
We played the game on PC via Steam and getting quick to the point- it was fun. While there was nothing groundbreaking, we enjoyed our time with the game even though it is nothing more than a polish over the original. We would have preferred a remake to take advantage of modern day hardware but perhaps PC players will take advantage of the modding community to experience the game with even more enhancements. However, if you have played this game before and didnt care for it or managed to play it recently somehow, there’s little reason to go back for the price of $30.00 USD.
Its standout mechanic—managing squad trust and fear—creates moments of tension and unpredictability, but its execution is limited by rigid scripting and outdated design constraints. Nightdive Studios has done commendable work in restoring the game, improving visuals and some mechanics, but the fundamental flaws of the original still remain.
While the updated visuals and smoother controls enhance the experience, the game’s potential is hampered by predetermined transformations and linear level design that undermine its ambitious squad dynamics. Trust and paranoia mechanics initially shine but lose impact as gameplay devolves into a standard run-and-gun shooter.
Despite its shortcomings, The Thing: Remastered remains a valuable piece of game preservation, reminding players of the innovative but imperfect attempt to translate the film’s dread into a video game. However, a full remake could have allowed the game’s unique systems to flourish more dynamically, leaving this remaster as a compelling yet flawed homage to its predecessor.
I recall playing the 2002 original for PS2 somewhat recently and it still held up. Sure, there were some bugs and odd interactions with the environment that crept up here and there but it was still a fun time. This remaster is nothing more than a slight improvement on the original and that no doubt will please a handful of fans who were looking for some minor enhancements to improve the player experience but its clear this game deserved a complete remake rather than remaster. For a little perspective, the remaster looks like it improved textures to be worthy enough of the PS3 and that may satisfy some but we don’t expect this game to ignite a huge new fanbase or anything.
A remake of the original would have been a godsend and maybe this remaster is enough of an open door to keep that idea in consideration but if anything, we expect the PC port of the remaster to at least keep a window open for possible mods that could push the experience over the edge into greatness.
Still, if you played the original recently, whether on classic hardware or via emulation, you may not immediately want to jump into the remaster right away since it doesn’t change enough to be worthy of an immediate replay. But at $30, that is for you to decide.
