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Who or What Survived?

John Carpenter’s The Thing is a horror masterpiece that blends paranoia and science fiction. Today, it’s celebrated as one of modern horror’s greatest works and a cornerstone of 80s horror cinema. The film masterfully leaves audiences questioning who—or what—survived the harrowing events at Outpost 31. This is a question that was finally answered with the 2002 video game sequel.

Following in the footsteps of the film, The Thing is a horror game masterpiece that not only serves as a sequel but also masterfully blends paranoia with survival. As one of my favorite PlayStation 2 games, it’s a title I still revisit from time to time. It’s also a game that needs a remaster for a number of reasons. Key among them are better visuals and being easily available for a new generation of horror fans who should experience this masterpiece of horror survival. So leave it to Nightdive Studios to remaster this beloved classic in a way that preserves its defining aspects.

The Thing: Remastered invites both old-school gamers and a new generation of horror fans to experience this classic. It faithfully preserves the defining aspects of the original while updating the visuals and overall performance. The result is not only a polished upgrade for a beloved title but also an opportunity to relive the terrifying nightmare of Outpost 31.

Return to Outpost 31

Set three months after the events of the movie, a military unit investigates radio silence at Outpost 31. Players step into the role of J.F. Blake, Alpha Team’s captain, tasked with examining the outpost’s remains. When contact is lost with Bravo Team at the Norwegian Outpost, Blake is deployed to investigate. It’s here that he encounters the deadly creature. It becomes a battle for survival as Blake must regroup with survivors and prevent the creature from escaping. The situation goes from bad to worse when it’s discovered that Gen Inc., a pharmaceutical company, has set up a secret lab in hopes of weaponizing the creature.

Since the film’s release in 1982, fans of the acclaimed classic have wondered what happened next. In 2002, we finally got an answer with what fans consider the true sequel. This experience captured the film’s atmosphere of paranoia, blending it seamlessly into a survival horror game. Players were forced to question their squadmates’ loyalty while earning their trust. At the same time, it did a solid job at connecting itself to the original film with not just setpieces but also through the lore.

One aspect of the story I found disappointing was how the second half unfolded. By 2002, the trope of an evil organization attempting to weaponize something uncontrollable had already been overplayed, thanks largely to the Resident Evil series and other similar titles. While there was potential to make this narrative more distinctive, the game ultimately leaned into a familiar plotline, blending elements of Half-Life and Resident Evil at the cost of its unique identity.

Who Can You Trust

On the surface, the gameplay follows the familiar survival horror formula: battling nightmarish creatures while managing scarce resources scattered across the outpost. However, The Thing: Remastered is a reminder that the game presented a unique take on the horror survival genre. Players must not only combat a deadly parasite but also endure harsh environmental conditions and an atmosphere of intense paranoia.

Leadership is essential, as players must prevent squadmates from succumbing to mental breakdowns in terrifying situations. Heightening the tension is the constant uncertainty of who is human and who has been infected by the Thing. This also complicates resource management they need to be shared with the squad. This helps to build trust and improve the survival odds of everyone.

The combat mechanics offer a unique twist compared to other horror games. Small Things are easily dispatched with any weapon. The larger Things demand a two-step approach: weakening them with firearms before finishing them off with a flamethrower. This strategy feels manageable when supported by a squad but becomes significantly more challenging during solo stages.

I Know I’m Human

The Thing: Remastered elevates one of the most iconic horror games with enhanced visuals and polished gameplay. The defining aspects of the original are carefully preserved while improving its overall quality. Frightening moments are now even more terrifying, delivering an intensified horror experience. Additionally, a new generation of fans can enjoy this classic without needing to track down an original copy or console, making it more accessible than ever.

Many of its defining aspects have been improved, at the same time, some of the original game’s shortcomings remain. While the story has its issues, the most notable drawback is the inconsistent AI of your squadmates. They sometimes struggle with basic tasks such as walking to a designated objection. At, worse, they can walk into your line of fire during intense firefights. Additionally, some level designs feel clunky, even by the standards of the era, a flaw that becomes more apparent in the second half of the game.

A remaster can only go so far in improving the overall quality of a beloved classic, as some shortcomings inevitably remain. Thankfully, Nightdive Studios has enhanced the experience so effectively that these flaws are easily overshadowed by the improvements.

Some Kind of Record

The Thing: Remastered takes players back to Outpost 31 to experience the conclusion to the John Carpenter horror classic. It invites both old-school gamers and a new generation of horror fans to experience a nightmare that pits you against not just a parasitic threat but also paranoia and the environment. This is a remaster that truly preserves the defining aspects of the original while updating the visuals and overall performance.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Thing: Remastered (PC)

9

Excellent

9.0/10

Pros

• Upgrades one of the most iconic horror games for modern consoles and PC.
• Polishes the gameplay mechanics and control function.
• Preserves many of its defining aspects while also improving its overall quality.
• Visual upgrades make many of its frightening moments even more intense.

Cons

• Some of its short comings are still present.