Games Database
PC
Adventure: Survival Horror
| Also for: | PS2, Xbox | ||
| Viewed: | 3D Third-person, floating camera | Genre: | Adventure: Survival Horror |
| Media: | CD | Arcade origin: | No |
| Developer: | Computer Artworks | Soft. Co.: | Vivendi |
| Publishers: | Sold Out
(GB) Vivendi (GB) |
Released: | 20 Sept 2002
(GB) 29 Oct 2004 (GB) |
| Ratings: | BBFC 15 | ||
| Accessories: | Control Pad | ||
Summary
John Carpenter's 1982 representation of The Thing is extremely well known not just for its excessive gore, but for telling one hell of a frightening story. A full twenty years later, the film might not have the same impact now as it did then, but Computer Artworks and Vivendi's resurrection of The Thing for PC is likely to scare the pants off you.
Set directly after the events that occur in the film, a military rescue team arrives to investigate the deaths of the members of the Antarctic scientific expedition, and before long the horrific events of the film begin to repeat themselves. The only difference here is that you're in the driving seat, and it's you who has to face... The Thing!
As you revisit chilly locales familiar to those in the film, you'll soon find yourself feeling claustrophobic and weary as you explore a complex full of gore and rotting bodies. Developed by Computer Artworks, The Thing for PC is, as you would expect, the most graphically advanced of the three versions. Depending on your PC's graphics capabilities, you can experience the game running at 60 frames per second with full scene anti-aliasing at a super high resolution. Gorgeous.
In a successful attempt to bring something innovative to The Thing, Computer Artworks has incorporated what it calls a 'trust/fear' interface. This simply alters the way you play game depending on how you interact with other non-playable characters you meet along the way. If you're helpful and supportive, these NPCs will co-operate fully. On the other hand, being forceful and aggressive is likely to make progress far more challenging.
There are also a great number of puzzle and combat elements in The Thing. Dynamic gameplay means that each of the puzzles has several solutions. As a result, The Thing isn't too linear. A great combat system also allows players to modify and customise weapons, and in some case, even build them from scratch. The Thing is a finely balanced game incorporating three distinct playing styles successfully without overwhelming its players. We look forward in anticipation to future Computer Artworks games.
Set directly after the events that occur in the film, a military rescue team arrives to investigate the deaths of the members of the Antarctic scientific expedition, and before long the horrific events of the film begin to repeat themselves. The only difference here is that you're in the driving seat, and it's you who has to face... The Thing!
As you revisit chilly locales familiar to those in the film, you'll soon find yourself feeling claustrophobic and weary as you explore a complex full of gore and rotting bodies. Developed by Computer Artworks, The Thing for PC is, as you would expect, the most graphically advanced of the three versions. Depending on your PC's graphics capabilities, you can experience the game running at 60 frames per second with full scene anti-aliasing at a super high resolution. Gorgeous.
In a successful attempt to bring something innovative to The Thing, Computer Artworks has incorporated what it calls a 'trust/fear' interface. This simply alters the way you play game depending on how you interact with other non-playable characters you meet along the way. If you're helpful and supportive, these NPCs will co-operate fully. On the other hand, being forceful and aggressive is likely to make progress far more challenging.
There are also a great number of puzzle and combat elements in The Thing. Dynamic gameplay means that each of the puzzles has several solutions. As a result, The Thing isn't too linear. A great combat system also allows players to modify and customise weapons, and in some case, even build them from scratch. The Thing is a finely balanced game incorporating three distinct playing styles successfully without overwhelming its players. We look forward in anticipation to future Computer Artworks games.
