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Thing, The

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7.4 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 10 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Universal Interactive

Developer: Computer Artworks

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Survival Horror, Shooter

Players: 16

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: August 20, 2002

Summary

Dropped into the frozen wastelands of Antarctica, you're the leader of a military rescue team sent to investigate the mysterious deaths of an American scientific expedition. In the punishing wind and cold, your team encounters a strange, shape-shifting alien life form that assumes the appearances of the people it kills. This monster is difficult to see, hard to kill, and seemingly impossible to evade. And when you see it, it's often too late. [Universal Interactive]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Four Fat Chicks

So see the film, take a little break, then turn down the lights, put on headphones, and prepare yourself for the atmosphere, anticipation, apprehension, anxiety and action of The Thing.

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100

Maxim Online

Incredibly atmospheric (it makes great use of flickering lights, icy landscapes, and foreboding corridors) without skimping on the screams, The Thing is a terrifying battle to the finish.

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IGN

The visuals and sound are top notch and the sense of desperation you feel when you are stuck outside and about to succumb to the elements or being hunted by packs of the foul creatures is very real.

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Game Over Online

Excellent, moody and atmospheric, and at some points downright creepy.

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Gamers' Temple

More interactive movie than third-person shooter, The Thing is an enjoyable diversion loaded with atmosphere.

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PC Format

The Thing isn’t a classic but it is a superbly executed, engrossing horror shooter that almost everyone will enjoy, once at least.

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Armchair Empire

It adds multiple innovations to the survival horror formula and improves on that genre immensely. Unfortunately, The Thing also holds on to some of the most annoying conventions of the genre.

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ActionTrip

The game is fairly short. The overall impression was also reduced with those sound bugs and camera issues I mentioned. Still, the excellent visuals and squad-based gameplay compensate for all of that and they make The Thing a truly entertaining product.

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GameZone

The control interface is overly complicated. When you look at the manual you might feel like ripping your arms off and beating yourself silly, but there is no need. After thirty minutes of running around the station you'll feel more familiar. However during an intense battle looking down to press the I button is like trying to read Latin in the dark.

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GameSpot

If it weren't for a general scarcity of terror and a control scheme unsuited to its action-oriented gameplay, The Thing would be great.

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Entertainment Weekly

This contrived implementation of a great concept is disappointing, but at least the surrounding game delivers some taught cinematic moments that would make Carpenter proud. [6 Sept 2002]

PC Gamer

Too many rough edges ruin an otherwise smooth production: clipping problems, unexplained mission objectives..., save points strategically placed to artificially raise the difficulty of certain missions, and an emphasis on scripting over substance. [Dec 2002, p.102]

Yahoo! Games

The Thing on its own stands as a slightly flawed, yet atmospheric and alluring action-adventure. Hardcore fans of the film, however, will have fewer complaints.

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Adrenaline Vault

If you're willing to get frightened out of your wits, be grossed out along the way and feel like an icicle, The Thing will definitely not disappoint.

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Voodoo Extreme

Has many unique and innovative points going for it, but in the end has one too many little flaws that prevent it from being a truly great game.

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GameSpy

At least The Thing starts out strong. It's the sort of game you don't have to feel bad about not finishing.

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netjak

But since the game operates in 3rd person, and doesn't give you a cursor when you're using important weapons like the flamethrower, you can't aim. This totally sucks.

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Pregaming

It's like the design team started designing a good game, complete with the groundwork for the fear and trust system and then decided to throw it all to the wind and turn the game into some sort of half-cocked Half-Life clone, except without the playability or shock value of that title.

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Computer Gaming World

A great concept but is filled with crippling annoyances that drag down the entire experience. [Nov 2002, p.120]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.4 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

R.J. M. gave it a 10:
This game kicks Ass. the action is Sweeeeeet. it is so easy and FUN to play. I have finished it 4 or 5 times !

Jon C. gave it a 7:
Great game with the notable exceptions of almost everyone you meet in the game is a thing. Hardly anyone is human. And for those of them that are human. what becomes of them at the end of the game? We only get to see Blake being rescued by McCready. What about the actual humans!?!?!? A disappointing incomplete ending.

Jason M. gave it a 9:
Game is great. The updates i had to make to me machine were not. I havent had any other problems with it other than that.

[Anonymous] gave it a 7:
It is a very good game and is very creepy and freeky the grapics are awsome but the downside is that the things are almost impossible to kill and i like that you get to control your own team.

The Voice gave it a 5:
The graphics can be improved. Also, the game is too scary for me as the player has to explore dark and spooky areas which I have phobia doing so.

Night Wo1f gave it an 8:
Ok, I've played through half the game so far. If you like good scares, play at night with all but a background light (so you can see controls) on and the sound up, this game will screw you up. ;) Gameplay is good, the only bad point being in third person without a crosshair to aim with. First person gives you a crosshair, but is too difficult to hold down as you try to move. The levels are fine, and quite difficult if you're playing on hard. Ammo can be scarce, which adds to the tension when you can hear something 'BIG' nearby. Graphics are fine, nothing special here. Sound is just plain dang creepy. During some cutscenes there's a glitch where characters are talking, but all you can hear is a heartbeat. Why? This game is worth $30 bucks and some late at night play. Parents, do NOT let young kids play this or be prepared to have to put up with some nightmares or tripping over them cause they're sleeping outside your door.

Gaz gave it a 3:
The game overall in my opinion is poor. The graphics are ordinary and the whole concept is based around sending wave after wave of monsters and soldiers after you. There is only 2 types of soldier and seemingly 3 types of "Thing", rangin from critters, medium things and "end of level baddie things". What I don't like is how the soldiers fire endlessly at you, never run out of ammo and even drop ammo when they die. How is this possible?? I got bored of this game after around an hour and totally regretted purchasing it. Anyone reading this interested in buying the game should look in Amazon.co.uk as I will be selling it very low cost. Very disappointed.

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Thing, The

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

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