The Thing: Remastered Fixing Most Annoying Part of the 2002 Original

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Key Takeaways

  • The Thing: Remastered won’t have any scripted burst-out sequences.
  • Forced infections are widely seen as one of the most frustrating parts of the 2002 original.
  • While the new infection system will be fairer, it will also be harsher, as it will make some NPCs even more prone to becoming infected and transforming into a monster.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the announcement of The Thing: Remastered has me thoroughly excited! The original 2002 game was one of those games that left a lasting impression on me, and the news that it’s getting a modern update is music to my ears.

In the remastered version of “The Thing,” Nightdive Studios has confirmed there will be no scenes where characters are scripted to suddenly become infected. This change aims to address what many consider the most frustrating aspect of the original game, but it won’t make the game any less challenging.

First released in 2002, “The Thing” is still widely recognized as one of the top Arctic horror games ever crafted. Its cult following can be attributed to a distinctive infection system that draws inspiration from John Carpenter’s legendary film. The core concept of this mechanic revolves around the idea that almost any Non-Player Character (NPC) could become infected and morph into the game’s titular “thing,” thereby betraying their former companions. Some players found this system quite challenging, particularly because the game also featured several predetermined sequences where certain NPCs would get infected and explode, even if the player executed everything correctly.

In the upcoming remaster of the 2002 survival horror game, Mark Atkinson, director of the original and consultant for Nightdive Studios, has confirmed that the troublesome burst-out sequences will not be included. This decision is aimed at eliminating scripted instances where characters would suddenly burst out due to infections, a feature players found frustrating as it seemed unfair and added unnecessary stress. According to Josh Dowell, a software engineer at Nightdive Studios, this change was made because such instances of sudden infection and burst-out occurred without reason in the original game, which players disliked intensely.

The Thing: Remastered’s Infection System Will Be More Unforgiving

In Nightdive Studio’s The Thing: Remastered, eliminating scripted panic scenes should reduce frustration levels. However, don’t expect an easier gameplay experience altogether. On the contrary, as stated by Dowell, the developers have chosen to make certain Non-Player Characters (NPCs) more susceptible to infection. While this change promises a fairer system, it also means the game will be tougher and less forgiving.

In the initial version of the game, an infection mechanism was included, however, it occasionally led to squad members contracting the infection seemingly without cause and then exploding unexpectedly. This aspect of the game was met with strong player dissatisfaction.

With direct interaction with the monster from The Thing now being the sole means of infection, players can strategize their gameplay and replay certain sections to reduce the number of unfortunate incidents they encounter. However, even if they don’t transform into monsters themselves, their teammates may become so traumatized that they could break down and lose their composure, as mentioned by Atkinson.

Despite not yet having a specific release date confirmed for the upcoming horror game, its announcement in June suggested that it would be launched in 2024. Given this timeline, there’s not much time left for it to come out as planned. However, Xbox appears optimistic that The Thing: Remastered will be unveiled on December 5. This updated version of the game is intended to be released not only on the latest two generations of Xbox consoles but also on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms.

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2024-11-30 12:43