The Thing: Remastered Review (Silly Goose)
Pros:
-Cool Squad management system. The game seems to boast that it is deeper than it is, but it can be fun to manage stress levels through inventory management and testing.
-I think it's great that this game is a canon sequel to the film. Re-watching the movie after playing adds a whole new sinister layer to the film, and that's thanks to the surprisingly interesting story and plot you uncover. It was surprisingly intriguing for what was a throwaway movie tie-in upon its original release.
-The gun-play is pretty good. There is an auto lock-on feature that makes shooting a little bit easier. The game claims that the first-person aim is more accurate, but since it locks you in place I seldom used this feature. Other than the small fodder enemies, larger enemies need to be killed with fire. It can be fun to shoot some rounds into them until they're vulnerable and then have a teammate finish them off with fire.
-The levels can get pretty spooky. I found the first few especially eerie, but once you are well-armed and have a feel for the game the suspense wanes.
-Although I do have a copy of The Thing for the PS2 I did not compare the original to the remake. I assume the gameplay doesn't vary much, and it was notable how well the controls held up.
Cons:
-There is ZERO incentive to play on higher difficulties. There are no unlocks or bonuses for completing the game on anything higher than easy.
-I felt like I got lucky by finding a way to progress sometimes. I recall a few times where I had to backtrack through areas multiple times before I found what switch or door needed to be activated. This is especially frustrating on the early levels but oddly became less frequent as the game progressed.
Conclusion:
If it sounds like I'm reaching to find things wrong with this game it's because I am. For what it is, a survival horror shooter from 2003, this is a gem. The narrative and its pacing are pretty solid, the gameplay is basic but engaging, and the upgraded textures and models look more stylistic than they do dated. At the time of my review, I have about 7 hours played. That's the time it takes for my singular playthrough on easy, although you may not find yourself wandering aimlessly in search of how to progress as much as I did. That being said, the $30.00 price point is a bit high for a 7ish hour game with little to no replayability. If you're searching for an interactive horror experience inside "The Thing" universe, look no further. This is the only one so there's quite literally nothing else to look for beyond it. And for that, I give it a thumbs up.