The Thing

The Thing Description

It's been twenty years since John Carpenter's 1982 version of The Thing. It scared people back then and it's still scaring them now. Well now, thanks to Computer Artworks and Vivendi, The Thing is coming to PlayStation 2 in a brand new game, set directly after the events that occurred in the bloodiest film of the 80s. When a military rescue team arrives to investigate the deaths of the members of the Antarctic scientific expedition, they soon realise the presence of something nasty... something alien. 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 looks better than most PS2 games available. Naturally it doesn't boast the technical features seen in the PC version, but it run smoothly and there are few flaws. 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.