The Thing: Remastered review

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As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I must say that The Thing: Remastered has a special place in my heart. While it may not be the most polished or technically advanced game out there, it’s undeniably unique and nostalgic.

Year after year, numerous remakes and enhanced versions flood the market, leaving me questioning which games truly deserve a fresh, polished take on an old favorite. Some remakes are so significantly upgraded they feel like brand new games, making a return worthwhile. Others simply modernize the technology and aesthetics of an older game, allowing a new audience to enjoy a cherished classic. The Thing: Remastered doesn’t quite fit into either category, but I still find myself drawn to it nonetheless.

If you didn’t catch it before, The Thing video game revolves around Blake, an action hero with a brash demeanor and questionable hairstyle who isn’t common in 2024. This game is set after the John Carpenter movie, where you’re sent on a rescue mission to Antarctica due to terrifying mutants that inhabit human bodies for warmth. As you might guess, things don’t go smoothly. Suspicious government activities and subpar voice acting contribute to an enjoyable “so bad it’s good” adventure. In my opinion, it certainly lives up to this description.

In a narrative fashion, you’ll find yourself delving into The Thing, where you’ll traverse snowy outposts, encountering ominous mutants and gathering useful items to advance. While the gunplay may not meet today’s top standards, it offers ample aim assistance and support from some of your fellow soldiers. Except in the most challenging encounters, death is unlikely to claim you.

In 2002, what truly set The Thing apart was the group of companions you accumulated during gameplay. These characters fell into three distinct categories: soldier, engineer, and medic, each offering unique assistance in different scenarios. You could equip these allies with any extra weapons from your stash, and even instruct them to assist with tasks like opening doors or embarking on individual missions. However, it’s important to note that their loyalty wasn’t always unquestionable, as there was a risk they might become infected.

In theory, you’re expected to detect a friend with an inner monster by their odd behavior, but I didn’t notice anything unusual in 2002 or during my recent playthrough of The Thing: Remastered. However, if you suspect your companions are hosts for the mutant, you can test their blood using a special kit. If it begins to bubble, it’s best to eliminate them swiftly with bullets and fire. Despite its rough edges, these confrontations remain thrilling when your former ally transforms into the next foe to neutralize.

Trust in “The Thing: Remastered” is reciprocal; many characters are hesitant to follow Blake on his mission unless he provides evidence of being parasite-free first. Some may require a firearm as a gift and ammunition before accepting leadership, and there’s an intriguing friendship puzzle in one level that demonstrates this system perfectly, serving as a means of escape from a tricky situation. Granted, it can be somewhat heavy-handed, but for its time, about two decades ago, this video game mechanic was quite groundbreaking.

Along with trust, your companions must confront their fear of this seemingly dire predicament since they’re less experienced and battle-tested compared to Blake. Being exposed to rooms filled with deceased bodies and blood can trigger screams about impending death and panic attacks, which requires tactful handling and occasional adrenaline boosts to keep them composed. However, the system in The Thing is a bit crude, as evident when I threw a grenade at a mutant outside, causing my two comrades to cower and tremble. After insisting they remain stationary for five minutes in a brightly lit and safe corridor that I had just protected, I returned to find them both committing suicide by shooting themselves – an unexpected and bewildering incident. Although it didn’t meet the grim standards of modern games, let me admit that I wasn’t anticipating such actions in this somewhat absurd military showdown.

Despite its imperfections, I have to acknowledge that I was genuinely enjoying my playthrough of The Thing: Remastered – up until the final third, when the majority of the enemy types shifted from intriguing mutants to dull soldiers. The repetitive use of mediocre weapons against the same two types of unimaginative guards becomes tiresome rather quickly, culminating in an ending that fizzles out instead of exploding with excitement.

As a gamer, let me tell you, The Thing: Remastered seems stuck in time. It’s not just about the combat; even navigating through the game feels archaic. For instance, there’s no map to guide me, and the objectives vanish as quickly as they appear, leaving me wandering aimlessly. I find myself revisiting every corridor multiple times, only realizing later that I needed to retrace my steps to finish a level. This repetition grows tiresome rather swiftly.

Though I encountered some problems, I must admit that I found The Thing: Remastered quite enjoyable during my playthrough. The updated graphics may not be breathtaking, but they are sharper and more pleasing than the PS2 versions. The cheesy voice acting and unique (albeit imperfectly executed) concepts kept me hooked, and I managed to reach the end in just one afternoon. If you haven’t experienced the original game, it might be hard to convince you to dive into such an old title. However, if you’re seeking a peculiar blast from the past, you’ll probably find this vintage spin-off less chilly.

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2024-12-10 14:16