The Thing Review

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The Thing

Review by Old RoosterOctober 2002

“Who Goes There?”

One of the classic novellas of science-fiction literature was penned in 1938 by John Campbell, Jr. The fairly innocuous-sounding title, Who Goes There, led stunned readers into one of the most horrifying and original scares they had ever experienced. Set in the Antarctic, the original tale centers on the ability of the awakened alien “Thing” to change form, shape-shift, and assume new identities. The tension, then, revolves as much around wondering who can be trusted as it does directly encountering and trying to destroy the “monster.”

In 1950, the premise of Who Goes There was brought to the screen, in chilling black and white, as The Thing from Another Planet. Although departing from the original story as regards the “alien chameleon” nature of the Thing, the film still made a great impact on this writer during my freshman year in high school, likely beginning my hair loss.

Then, in 1982, the master director John Carpenter created an instant classic—simply entitled The Thing. Returning to Campbell’s original concept of trust versus suspicion, Carpenter wove a gripping story of survival, desperation, paranoia, freezing cold, and sheer terror! Prior to playing the wonderful game, you are “required” to rent or buy, then view, this memorable video. Let me share some salient quotes from the film that help set the tone for the game—a game that, by the way, follows up the 1982 film’s narrative and theme very closely and is set four months after the film concludes:

  • “We’re a thousand miles from nowhere, man, and it’s gonna get a hell of a lot worse before it gets better!”
  • “I don’t know what’s in there [with the dogs], but it’s weird and pissed off!”
  • “It’s an organism that imitates life forms, and imitates them perfectly.”
  • “How long were you alone with that dog?”
  • “I don’t know who to trust; watch Clark, watch him close.”
  • “Are you gonna listen to Gary? He could be one of those Things, and it doesn’t want to show itself.”
  • “How do we know who’s human?”
  • “Nobody trusts anybody now, and we’re all very tired.”
  • “It just wants to go to sleep in the cold till a rescue team finds and reawakens it.”
  • “We’ll just wait here for a little while and see what happens.”

Where the Movie Ends, Your Mission Begins

Three years ago, Computer Artworks created one of my favorite non-bestselling games, Evolva. Using gorgeous graphics and a very inventive, even a bit weird, storyline, the developer introduced a team of four Genohunters who were designed to “genetically adapt to deal with whatever they were confronted with.” Instantly absorbing genetic materials from its foe, the Genohunter can mutate its abilities and be sent into combat situations too hazardous for humans. Sound like a familiar theme? Indeed, likely without overtly realizing it, Computer Artworks was almost creating a set of four “Things” as heroes! What better studio, then, to accept the challenge and responsibility of developing a video game sequel to Carpenter’s classic film?

“The Base Is Gone, Colonel!” —Blake

To the whoosh of helicopter blades fading into the black Antarctic night, you (Blake) and your team of three are deposited just outside the station, which has been strangely quiet for the past four months.  The weather is deteriorating, and it’s unlikely you can count on support, let alone rescue, for the next few days. Of course, with your teammate specialists including an ace soldier, a sophisticated engineer, and an invaluable medic, you feel quite confident to deal with whatever “arises,” so to speak!

From the fine paper manual to the interface and in-game field manual, The Thing smoothly introduces you to one of the most tension-producing games I have ever experienced—a most worthy followup to the film. The first few of the 19 levels include helpful tutorial pop-ups.  What initially appears to be rather daunting as regards team management quickly becomes integrated into your gameplay.

While initially glancing about after landing and before entering a facility, you soon notice a blue health bar moving downward due to the 40-below conditions. This circumstance continues until entering the relative warmth of housing and is an overall factor pervading the entire game. You may temporarily evade the monsters, perform a task, or find an item by going outside, but you can’t stay out for long.

The Thing is primarily a third-person action/shooter/adventure game, with terrific and unique twists! You’ll have short-term and overall mission statements throughout the levels; inventory items, weapons and other materials to find; doors to open; computers to access; blood testing; and a ton of shooting, grenade-hurling, and flame-throwing to do! On the face of it, the game seems like a Resident Evil clone. Far from it! Let’s take a look at what separates The Thing from the rest of the pack.

“How Do We Know Who’s Human?”

Recall that line from the film? This anxiety-producing theme has been beautifully carried over to the game, and it has to do with your squad mates and others you encounter in your perusal of the base.

The particular specialties of your squad are required at various points throughout the game. Although you, as Blake, are a “jack of all trades,” there will be times you’ll need the Engineer to open an advanced junction box, the Medic to back the team up in a nasty firefight, the Soldier to use his expert marksmanship in unusual situations. Although you only play as Blake, the leader, simple “follow, stay, go to” orders can be given to the team members as individuals or as a group, and you do have the responsibility of disbursing found weapons, ammunition, medical supplies, etc.  to appropriate members. Which brings us to paranoia.

You may recall that our alien monster, both in whole and little parts, is uniquely adept at taking human form as a disguise. If a team member, or another, has been left alone, you can’t be sure whether or not he has been “occupied.” Indeed, sometimes your team isn’t especially sure of you! Therefore, interface icons include an element completely unique to any game—Trust and Fear factors. Although there are some rough edges, this component of the game adds to the overall tension and anxiety. From direct comments to actual icon indications, your squad mates indicate degrees of trust and fear that range from mild concern to outright losing it—including vomiting! As leader, you need to keep them together (remember, you need that Engineer to open certain locks, etc.) and also keep them from turning against you. You’ll be wasted going it alone—I know, I tried! Sometimes giving a wary mate, who’s looking about anxiously, extra ammunition, a weapon, or a healing potion will bring him around; while on other occasions you may need to perform a blood test on him, or yourself, to prove “humanity.”  Be careful, though! If the teammate is inhabited, giving a weapon may lead to it being turned on you, and giving a blood test can lead to all Hell breaking loose!

Antarctic Atmosphere

The Thing is beautifully rendered, both in terms of graphics and sound. It works on a fairly wide range of systems; I found flawless performance on my PC. From the blinding snow conditions outside to the shadowy building interiors, environments were convincingly portrayed. The sense of desolation is very real. Human models are not clones, and they show a good deal of individualization. The monster, in its various forms, is hideously realistic.

Sound and music are among the best I’ve experienced for this kind of game. Voice acting is outstanding. Conversations and expressions of fear are realistic and of movie quality. Weapon effects vary and are as expected. Music is reminiscent of the film soundtrack and perfectly helps set the overall tone of suspense and impending terror.

A Touch of Consolitis

I suppose we have to get used to multiplatform productions and, relatedly, the limitations imposed on PC gaming equipment. My only real gripe about The Thing relates to this “disorder.”  The save-game system is of the limited, Resident Evil-type variety, requiring sometimes frequent repeats of sections in order to reach the save tape recorder. Mouse control is very limited, allowing free look but not movement while in that mode. Only the horizontal axis is available for view, although the vertical is not often needed. However, I must be getting a bit immune to Consolitis, since this condition did not seriously impact my enjoyment of the game. It might, though, for others.

Warning—Expectoration, Evisceration and Dismemberment!

This is not a game to play with your grandchildren! The Thing is mature-rated, and appropriately so. From vomiting to severed heads, to the creature breaking out of or into humans, to the bloody shooting and flame throwing, to the language, The Thing is a game for peculiar, strong-stomached, horror-loving adults only.

Man Is the Warmest Place to Hide

The Thing is the finest game sequel to a movie ever created!  On its own, it’s a compelling, tension-building, heart-pounding tale of “haunted science station” exploration. There’s not only a monster to be dealt with and a narrative and mystery to resolve (with a satisfying conclusion), but also a need to constantly be aware of the mental state of your associates, on whom you depend.  In relation to the film, the story line continues without a hitch, and there are subtle references to Carpenter’s work scattered throughout.  Indeed, the Director himself has given his blessing to the “faithfulness” of the game to his masterwork. Both as a work on its own and in relation to the film, the design and execution of The Thing earns a Gold Star from this reviewer.

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. If you’re of my generation, you may want to have an extra set of Depends and the blood pressure kit nearby!

Games of Which the Thing Reminds Me

  • Aliens vs. Predator 1 and 2—Although The Thing is more subtle and rich in story, the premise of an alien that inhabits humans, as well as the related gory killing, is very evident.
  • Project Eden and Evolva—Both games involve team speciality and control; although, unlike The Thing, they do allow transferring the player to different characters.
  • Resident Evil and its successors—Ridding a mansion, spaceship, or Antarctic station of foul monsters is a theme of many survival/horror games. However, although there are some Consolitis control components in The Thing, this game is at a wholly different level. The End

The Verdict

The Lowdown

Developer: Computer Artworks Publisher: Vivendi Universal Games Release Date: August 2002

Available for: PlayStation 2Windows Xbox

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Screenshots

Click to enlarge Click to enlargeClick to enlarge Click to enlargeClick to enlarge Click to enlargeClick to enlarge Click to enlargeClick to enlarge

System Requirements

PIII 500 (PIII 700 recommended) 64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended) 16 MB video card (32 MB recommended)

      Copyright © Electric Eye Productions.  All rights reserved.  No reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission.

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14 Responses to Fear Factor

  • Fear Factor | Tap-Repeatedly.com | Reality Topics Blog

    […] nobody@flickr.com (graftedno1) wrote a very interesting post today.   Here’s a quick excerpt:My greatest fear is to be trapped alone in a confined space with a blind human, in total darkness. They have a heightened sense of smell and hearing, and. […]

  • Matt "Steerpike" Sakey

    Lewis, you made me think of the scariest moments I’ve experienced in gaming, and we’re very similar people.

    Bioshock had two moments – the dentist and the flooded room filled with mannequins.

    Thief had Return to the Cathedral, which was terrifying to me. Thief 3 had Shalebridge Cradle, which is so scary it ought to be fined.

    System Shock 2 kept me on the edge of my seat, but it was more lonely panic than true fear.

    Korsakovia was so scary that I uninstalled it.

    And STALKER. Oh, god, the haunted labs in STALKER. The latter two games don’t have scares like that. Few games do.

    It’s especially rare for a game to have more than mere “moments” – for a game to be scary from beginning to end, that’s a triumph.

    Wonderful article. As if Gregg’s review wasn’t enough to convince me that Penumbra is not something I have the courage to play!

  • DPenn

    I’m with you Lewis … I’m a bit of a puss. I just have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of dread as entertainment.

    Still, I’m drawn to dark stories when they have something interesting to say, whether it’s a game like Thief or a film like, say, Gaspar Noe’s Irreversible. So I’ll push through, sometimes peering through my fingers.

    The trouble with games, though, is that if you look through your fingers, you’re probably just going to have to play through the scenario again. :~)

  • Mike "Scout" Gust

    I wanted to play this game. I downloaded the demo but the controls were just too wonky for me to get my head around. I liked the atmospheric vibe a lot. I think I’m a bit desensitized from an overdose of horror movies in my youth so I don’t so much get the dread thing from these games as a nice creepy vibration. If only the controls were better…

  • Lewis B

    @ Mike, what’s wrong with the controls bud? As someone who despises poor control schemes, Penumbra’s is just like any other FPS, except to examine things you right click on them.  To use things you left click.  I’m not sure that can be considered difficult 🙂

  • Gregg B

    @Steerpike: Yeah my greatest shit-scared moments were with those games too. A few spoilers below people, so beware.

    Bioshock – Haha, I remember the dentist. I didn’t really find the game that scary overall but the bit where you go into the wine cellar and notice a mannequin facing the wall and after upgrading your weapon it’s stood directly behind you motionless and quiet just for a moment before attacking you. I shat a brick. I also missed that bit originally until Lew told me about it.

    System Shock 2 – same as you really, more unremitting tension all the way through rather than specific terrifying moments. Oh actually, theres a bit where you call a lift and it breaks then you realise a service droid is coming to fix it… I do remember having sleep issues after my first encounter with the cyborg ninjas though.

    Thief: The Dark Project – The Sword and Return to the Cathedral and Down in the Bonehoard and well, loads of them. The Sword made me break out into goosebumps though because there was a bit where you could hear this creepy giggling which seemed like it was following me about then it suddenly changed to this horrible throaty noise. What made matters worse was that the EAX (bless you Creative) made my foot steps sound like somebody else was there with me. That level was incredible, a bit too incredible as it seems I missed great chunks of it because I was so eager to leave.

    Thief II: The Metal Age – Trail of Blood where you end up in that opening with those damn tree beasts. God the first time I saw one of those hurtling towards me I actually died shortly afterward. Do you remember that Mechanist child walking around on one of the levels? That was a little creepy.

    Then there’s Penumbra: Overture – quite a few bits but I’m not mentioning them here.

    Oh and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. – The brain scorcher lab just because it was so damn quiet. My imagination seriously got the better of me there. Those stuffed animals and heads I’d seen in various buildings led me to believe that those creatures were lurking somewhere in the Zone, specifically that lab.

    @Mike: My control setup was perfect after some tweaking (as well as the simple weapon swing fix). If you ever fancy giving it another go, give me a shout and I’ll let you know my setup.

  • Lewis B

    I’m not sure why guys, but one of my starting paragraphs had gone missing, even though I copied it straight from the original source, and It was fine earlier. 

    Incase you missed it due to some technical issue you might want to re-read just after “Well no she wouldn’t in truth, but in Penumbra: Overture you don’t want to move anyway.” at the very start for those who’ve already read the article. Apologies 🙂

  • Mike "Scout" Gust

    Lewis, it was the weapon swing. It had this terrible, unresponsive feel to it, like trying to hit through molasses. I couldn’t stand using it. I tried the .ini fix as mentioned in the review but it didn’t seem to help. Of course this was the demo…but that shouldn’t have made any difference. I might try the second game instead as I guess they did away with the weapons thing.

    I’m see your first paragraph just fine. It’s the dialogue, right?

  • jdeuel

    I like the argument that weapons can remove fear, but even loaded to the teeth with ammo in AVP’99 the Marine missions were frightful because the enemy was anywhere at any time.

    As for Penumbra Overture, if the controls are anything like the original Penumbra they need to hack in some Wii-Remote 3d controls. I did not like using my mouse for 3d movements.

  • Gregg B

    @Mike: I’ve read that many people avoided conflict altogether in Overture which incidentally is something forced upon you in Black Plague. As somebody who has been renovating a house over the last 6 months with no DIY experience I can safely say that swinging a hammer is significantly easier in real life than it is in Overture without the fix. The fix balanced that for me.

    I’d highly recommend completing the first Penumbra because it’s one big build up to Black Plague which spoils the ending to Overture in the intro. And it’s a great ending too. Just so you know!

  • Lewis B

    @ Steerpike, those moments you mention are all my worst too!!  Do you remember the Robot labs in SS2? Absolutely terrifying, waiting for robots to burst out on you! 🙁 oh and have you ever player Condemned?

    @ Mike, The use of weapons in Penumbra is different to say HL2, where the player is physically holding the weapon, as in Penumbra it floats slightly infront of you.  However, if you change the control method to normal weapon swing, it’s no different!  Speak to Greggi and he’ll tell you what to do 🙂

    @ jdeuel, AVP the original and its sequal were scary however what type of fear do you think it is? I don’t think it’s anything more than sheer tension.  Having a Smart Gun makes you feel incredibly powerful.  I can honestly say in Penumbra the fear is sheer unrivalled terror, where you actually have to force yourself to play on.  It genuinly is that scary! 🙂

  • Jason Dobry

    It’s so true, an arsenal of weapons and ammo rapidly deflates any sense of horror or uneasiness in any game for reasons you already mentioned. Sakey, I thought Bioshock was more “lonely panic,” while I was pretty much always terrified in System Shock 2. I really, really, REALLY did not want to enter The Many’s nursery, and my weapons were so unreliable and ammo so scarce that I never felt safe.

    Silent Hill was terrifying for the same reasons. Ammo was rare and I frequently had to rely on my pipe for self-defense.  Even when I had ammo, the game mechanics prevented my character from being anything other than marginal with any firearm.

    Fear had one moment for me: I was climbing up a ladder, and as I reached the upper platform, my guy briefly looked down as he climbed off. As my perspective looked up again, that Ring-esque little girl was RIGHT THERE, reaching for me. I screamed and she was gone.

    What else…the original Aliens vs. Predator sent me into a locker room and I could only hear the facehuggers scurrying about somewhere within. I had to go in there. I advanced about three steps before the damn thing screamed and filled up my screen with its repulsive underside as it implanted me with its spawn. My roommate made fun of me for weeks for screaming like a girl child.

    Korsakovia–meh.  I was too annoyed and frustrated by the box rearrangement/jumping puzzles to be scared. I uninstalled it after an hour of play, I think. Maybe the scary parts were later, but I doubt it.

    As for Penumbra, I did play through about half of it before other games distracted me. I remember unease and creepiness, but no sweaty fear. I think I’m to blame here, or, more precisely, my daughter, who was still an infant at the time and generally allowed me only to play during the day for 45 minutes at a time. I was denied total immersion and the fear effect suffered. Maybe I should give it another go after I finish Call of Pripyat since she sleeps through the night now. With any luck, Penumbra will keep me from doing the same.

  • Gregg B

    I played the demo of F.E.A.R. but that ladder scare is the only bit I remember. Christ, that made me jump. I’m not too good with cat scares.

    Also I felt exactly the same about Korsakovia. It was creepy at first but then it began to irritate me far too much and it just soured the experience. I stopped playing as a result. Not to mention, when I realised I could bash those smoke-things with my crowbar they didn’t bother me nearly as much.

  • Online Up

    Great article. I look forward to reading more in the future.

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