The Thing

Genre:

Action

Year:

2002

Developer:

Computer Artworks

Publisher:

Black Label Games

Perspective:

1st-person, 3rd-person

Theme:

Shooter, Horror, 3D action

Releases:

Windows (2002)

Also known as:

突变怪物, Нечто, Yuusei kara no Buttai X: Episode II, The Thing: O Enigma de Outro Mundo, Nechto, La Cosa, Das Ding aus einer anderen Welt

The Thing is an action-survival adventure game marked by a dense atmosphere and considerable tension. Following the mysterious demise of a U.S. scientific expedition in the frozen wastelands of Antarctica, a military rescue team embarks on a mission to investigate their deaths. In these unforgiving conditions, your team encounters a unique life form that mimics the appearance of the organisms it has killed, setting the stage for a desperate fight for survival. This game serves as a continuation of the eponymous film, taking place shortly after the events of the 1982 movie. Players revisit the Antarctic base and iconic locations from the film, venturing into a new chapter filled with isolation, fear, and paranoia. The atmosphere of fear is particularly effective, especially in the first half of the game, where the suspicion cast on other characters and their psychological states adds a new dimension. At the time of its release, the game was praised for its graphics, with the cool, dark environment and repulsive enemies capturing the essence of the movie. The ability to switch views is also considered a successful feature. However, the game loses some of its momentum in the second half, with fewer surprises and less compelling fights against soldiers, leading to a slight relaxation of the tense atmosphere. Nonetheless, just as John Carpenter's The Thing is among the best horror films, this game stands out as one of the finest in its genre.