The Thing: Remastered Review – Nostalgia Proves a Warm Place to Hide in Nightdive’s Reverent Revamp

As a gamer who has been around since the days of the noughties, I must say that revisiting The Thing: Remastered was like stepping back into my gaming past, but with a modern twist. This game, initially released in 2002, was one of those hidden gems that somehow managed to carve out a niche for itself amidst the sea of big-budget titles.

Initially launched in 2002, “The Thing” belongs to the category of adored ’00s action games that garnered a near-legendary status among fans. Marketed as a direct follow-up to John Carpenter’s iconic 1982 horror film with the same title, the game revisits the chaos caused by the notorious marauding shape-shifting alien entity. With its intriguing narrative of uncovering the mystery behind the events that transpired, it presents an appealing opportunity for a remastered version. However, unlike other remasters, “The Thing: Remastered” doesn’t alter much about the original game – it remains largely the same. It still carries that rough-around-the-edges charm, retains its quirks, and delivers a dependable dose of cheesy fun.

You assume the role of Captain J.F. Blake, commanding a US Special Forces rescue unit dispatched to Outpost #31, a place reduced to fiery debris after an alien entity wreaked havoc. Soon, suspicion and fear grip your squad as they question each other’s integrity, given the possibility that anyone might have been transformed by the alien entity. As Blake, you must build trust among your team members – sometimes it’s necessary for survival, as they will only follow your lead if they trust you enough to obey your commands, whether it’s repairing a faulty junction box or simply following you.

Providing an ally with a weapon, some ammunition, or healing them when they’re hurt, can strengthen trust, though the most immediate and reliable method is to conduct a DNA test to confirm your humanity. The terror mechanism in ‘The Thing’ works effectively, as teammates grow increasingly hysterical upon encountering the terrifying alien entity. To restore their composure, a shot of adrenaline is needed, or else they may become irrational. In case an ally has been contaminated by the monster, the transformation process is now less predictable and more organic, which is a beneficial update made by developer Nightdive Studios in this otherwise accurate remaster.

With their unique KEX Engine, Nightdive has successfully enhanced the game’s resolution and speed, improved textures, lighting, and various other aspects. Their work gives a fresh lease of life to this 22-year-old title, yet some amusing movements and animations from the larger creatures, who seem to run wild in a frenzy when ignited, can’t help but evoke laughter reminiscent of Laurel and Hardy with flaming pants. This humor might appear incongruous given the game’s intended atmosphere of suspense and fear. Nevertheless, these quirks don’t detract from the overall experience. This is one aspect where The Thing reveals its age; some over-the-top acting and basic facial expressions also dampen the tension, but ultimately, these flaws are insignificant.

If you’re a fan of “The Thing,” whether it’s the Carpenter movie or the original game, Nightdive’s remaster is excellent at preserving classic games. This title, initially released for PS2, Xbox, and PC, might not have gained the popularity it deserved when first released, but this remaster gives it another chance. However, its third-person shooting mechanics are basic, and the enemy AI can be unpredictable at best. Despite these flaws, the game’s unique selling point from 2002 – the fear and paranoia it instills – is still compelling today. Playing it with Nightdive’s improvements only makes the experience more enjoyable.

Experiencing a blast from the past with The Thing: Remastered has been an exhilarating journey for me. Wielding a blowtorch or flamethrower never fails to bring excitement, while commanding my squad through an intuitive interface adds to the fun. This remaster maintains the spirit of the original game, with subtle changes made thoughtfully to enhance its quality even further.

One way to rephrase the given text in a natural and easy-to-read manner is: “The reason ‘The Thing’ was so successful upon its initial release was not only due to its daring attempt to recreate the film’s atmosphere of creeping dread, paranoia, and lo-fi body horror with plenty of gore. It also held together exceptionally well at that time. However, more than two decades later, some flaws are becoming apparent, making it seem less novel. Despite this, ‘The Thing’ remains a cult classic and deserves to continue its legacy.

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2024-12-12 21:42