The 2002 survival horror The Thing, inspired by John Carpenter’s classic movie of the same name, is one of the most underappreciated games on the PS2. A squad-based third-person shooter, the release was noteworthy for incorporating a trust and fear mechanic, which altered how NPCs would respond to protagonist Blake, based on your actions.
It was flawed, but a very interesting idea, and something we haven’t really seen explored since, outside of games like The Last Guardian, where Trico would act contrary like a real animal.
This upgraded PS5 and PS4 version from remaster specialists Nightdive Studios aims to introduce the release to an entire new audience. Due out later this year at an as yet unannounced date, the release looks like it’s maintaining the look and feel of the PS2 original – but bumping the overall texture quality and running in 4K at 120 frames-per-second.
It’s a really interesting and unique game, and it’s great to see it being made available on modern hardware. We’ll obviously share the release date when we know more, but we’d implore you to add this to your wishlist as it’s definitely worth playing once it’s available.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 29
Nightdive so I'll be grabbing this. Love them.
does this game have a cooperative option? don’t really know anything about it, interesting either way
I think i played this back in the day - I definitely played a 'the Thing' game around this era. My memory is of a game which was excellent in its 1st half but tailed off badly after.
Sadly the remastering here does not seem anywhere near the level of the Dead Space remake/master game we got recently, but 120fps is outstanding if it reaches it.
Much like ET, I was in the “capture and study” camp. Obviously it could communicate and was intelligent, why kill it? Looks like a fun old style RE game.
@Rich33 Dead Space was a full on remake, Nightdive don't really remake games they just remaster them so they have better qol changes.
Huge respect for Nightdive ❤️ They've brought back some nostalgic treasures as well as introducing me to several games lost to time.
PO'd and Killing Time are next on my list of theirs. Ill snap this up when it's out.
Edit: just picked up PO'd and Killing Time on Switch 😁 that'll make my wait for the Pro a little easier.
I feel old with some of these remasters and I'm still in my 20s 😅
I throw money at remakes/remasters. Nostalgic soul takes control.
I would love them to remake Scarface: The World is Your's. Never played The Thing so I might give this a go.
@DanteDevilHunter I wonder if Night dive studios could acquire that game. The Thing, Scarface: the world is yours and No one lives forever we're all vivendi universal. But Night dive ran into trouble trying to acquire NOLF. Hope they have better fortune with Scarface.
Can't wait to play this hidden gem again
@Bunchesopuppies Haha, did you see the film? I don't want to get turned into a Cronenburg-esque horror. Definitely belongs in camp execution.
@Loamy I just got PO'ed and Killing Time on Xbox and am loving them both. Just like most of the world, I never played the originals on 3DO but am so glad I get to play them now.
@Ryoth System Shock was a bit more than just a remake but not quite a full on remaster. Either way, I love the work that Nightdive do.
I really love Nightdive. Such a quality studio and they have a wonderful business model. Long may their remakes continue.
@NeonPizza How does it look soulless?
@ellstormo No idea of they'll add one, but the original didn't. The point of the game, like the movie, was to feel isolated. Even with games out there since that can play with that in a multiplayer experience, it probably wouldn't serve this game any justice to cram the idea in. But we'll see
@Rich33 Most games did back then. It was the era of "People only play about 25% of a game, so why bother with the back end"
Remember seeing this and wanting to play it but never got round to it was it any good anyone know? If so might grab this
@BoomingEchoes
I never got that mentality - providing the game is enjoyable enough I have always played through completing at least once or twice.
I do however remember a number of games trying to change themselves up at around the halfway point to either add more challenge, because they had run out of ideas and needed extra length, or just thought they needed to change things to keep them interesting - often with poor results. I cant remember if this game did any of those.
Please bring back Soldier of Fortune and AvP 2. And maybe Return to Castle Wolfenstein plus Chronicles of Riddick, what a games.
@__jamiie PO'ed is a gem! I never played it back in the day but I'm loving the bonkers level design and weird gameplay choices. It's clearly from an era when devs hadn't got the basics nailed down but that just gives it so much more character.
I'm always thankful for Nightdive bringing these games back for us 😌 playing relics like PO'ed and Dark Forces (a childhood favourite) makes me feel even more connected to my hobby.
@Loamy I completely agree. It was such a shrewd move for Atari to acquire them as they fit together so well.
Their remake of Turok 3 was particularly impressive considering the amount of lost code they had to deal with.
I'll pretty much support any of their projects at this point because, even if the original game wasn't the best, the love and care they put into things makes them worth a purchase.
Day one purchase for me. I'm an absolute whore for remakes. Although I just realized this is a remaster. Still getting it though. As long as I can move while shooting, I'm in.
@Lizergamid I loved every game you just listed!!
@AG_Awesome feeling you bro. I'm from 1984, so grew up with Commodore and Amigas, seeing games with such amazing graphics nowadays is a dream come true. However, so many games are half boiled eggs or without soul now, sometimes nostalgia hits and I would love to be transported back to the golden era, seeing big hits being released almost every week - we didn't realise it instantly back then, now I appreciate much more how awesome was witnessing true passion and progress. Now we have games released because of shareholders interest, hence so many scandals and dirty situations. True gaming over corporate greed anytime.
A total reboot would of been better, this looks terrible. Controls look clunky, textures dated.
Looks like it was remastered from the PS2 to play on the PS3
Looks to dated for my liking.
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