The Thing
$19.95		(Win98/2000/Me/XP) (Retail) (THETHINGPR)

Publisher: Black Label Games

Game

Blood, gore and violence

Reviews:

from The Four Fat Chicks

No One Survives Alone

The Thing picks up where the 1982 film left off centering on the military investigation of enigmatic deaths of an American scientific team in the frozen wastelands of the Antarctic. Within these inhospitable surroundings your team encounters a strange shape-shifting alien life-form that assumes the appearance of people that it kills. Capitalizing on the fear and intense paranoia portrayed in the film, The Thing will deliver a new gaming experience blending player controlled, squad-based action and horror elements for the first time. Through the use of an innovative Trust Fear NPC management system, the player must monitor and influence his fellow NPC squad members psychological state throughout the game. Using all your team members is critical if you hope to accomplish objectives, let alone survive. Now if you only knew which ones were still human…

Game Features:

An innovative blend of fast paced squad action meets survival horror, The Thing will deliver a new gaming experience.

Advanced trust/fear interface adds a new level of interaction to the genre - How you influence non-player characters (NPCs) psychological state determines whether or not these characters will cooperate with you.

Shockingly grotesque Thing beasts ranging from spider-like mutated head scuttlers, to walkers and full multiple-appendage Thing bosses.

Amazing lighting, weather and particle effects complemented by subtle sound cues and in-engine cinematics create a deep level of immersion.

Requirements:

Minimum Specification: 64 MB RAM, 400 MHz PII CPU, DX 8-compatible video card, 8 MB video memory, DirectSound8-compatible card, 600 MB disc space, 4x+ CD-ROM.

Recommended Specification: 64 MB RAM, 600 MHz PIII CPU, DX 8-compatible video card, 8 MB video memory, DriectSound8-comatible card, 600 MB disc space, 4x+ CD-ROM.

Reviews:

The Four Fat Chicks by the Old Rooser

"Then, in 1982, the master director John Carpenter created an instant classic—simply entitled The Thing. Returning to Campbell's original concept of trust versus suspicion, Carpenter wove a gripping story of survival, desperation, paranoia, freezing cold, and sheer terror! Prior to playing the wonderful game, you are "required" to rent or buy, then view, this memorable video..."

"The Thing is primarily a third-person action/shooter/adventure game, with terrific and unique twists! You'll have short-term and overall mission statements throughout the levels; inventory items, weapons and other materials to find; doors to open; computers to access; blood testing; and a ton of shooting, grenade-hurling, and flame-throwing to do!..."

"You may recall that our alien monster, both in whole and little parts, is uniquely adept at taking human form as a disguise. If a team member, or another, has been left alone, you can't be sure whether or not he has been "occupied." Indeed, sometimes your team isn't especially sure of you! Therefore, interface icons include an element completely unique to any game—Trust and Fear factors. Although there are some rough edges, this component of the game adds to the overall tension and anxiety. From direct comments to actual icon indications, your squad mates indicate degrees of trust and fear that range from mild concern to outright losing it—including vomiting! As leader, you need to keep them together (remember, you need that Engineer to open certain locks, etc.) and also keep them from turning against you. You'll be wasted going it alone—I know, I tried! Sometimes giving a wary mate, who's looking about anxiously, extra ammunition, a weapon, or a healing potion will bring him around; while on other occasions you may need to perform a blood test on him, or yourself, to prove "humanity." Be careful, though! If the teammate is inhabited, giving a weapon may lead to it being turned on you, and giving a blood test can lead to all Hell breaking loose."

"The Thing is the finest game sequel to a movie ever created! On its own, it's a compelling, tension-building, heart-pounding tale of "haunted science station" exploration. There's not only a monster to be dealt with and a narrative and mystery to resolve (with a satisfying conclusion), but also a need to constantly be aware of the mental state of your associates, on whom you depend. In relation to the film, the story line continues without a hitch, and there are subtle references to Carpenter's work scattered throughout. Indeed, the Director himself has given his blessing to the "faithfulness" of the game to his masterwork. Both as a work on its own and in relation to the film, the design and execution of The Thing earns a Gold Star from this reviewer."

Games Domain UK by Richard Greenhill

"The good news is that The Thing for PC lives up to a good amount of that promise. Its first smart decision is beginning the story soon after where the film left off instead of doing a predictable remake of the same plot. You play Blake, commander of a military team that has been sent in to investigate the disappearance of the scientific expedition..."

"The thing that sets The Thing -- sorry! -- apart from other games in this genre is having the ability to command up to four members of your squad, or as is usually the case, any persons you happen across that are willing to go with you. The same trust/fear mechanic that was prominent in the film plays a relatively large role in the game, too..."

"The gameplay itself is a compelling mix of survival horror games like Resident Evil, with simple adventure elements and puzzles and your bog standard fast paced shooter. The pacing has been tuned well, starting slowly, keeping all the aliens out of sight, then slowly revealing the carnage as you explore further, until you eventually come under attack on a regular basis..."

"Visually, The Thing excels. The attention to detail in all the environments is extremely high, textures are sharp and the people are hugely realistic, with fluid animation and lip-synced voices. They also react to things around them - point a gun at their head and they'll retort with a lewd hand gesture. If they see something particularly grotesque, they'll even lose whatever meal they last ingested. You know how far we've come in bringing games into the cultural mainstream when non-essential characters start puking without any contribution to advancing the plot. Hey, it spelled success for every gross-out comedy since There's Something About Mary. Audio also matches the high visual production values, creeping you out with all sorts of ambient effects."

"The Thing on its own stands as a slightly flawed, yet atmospheric and alluring action-adventure..."

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