The Thing (video game)

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The Thing

Developer(s)	Computer Artworks
Publisher(s)	VU Games (North America) Konami (Europe) Konami (Japan)
Designer(s)	Andrew Curtis
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2, Xbox, Microsoft Windows
Release date	August 19, 2002 (U.S.) September 20, 2002 (EU) February 27, 2003 (JPN)
Genre(s)	Third person survival horror
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: Mature (M)
Media	CD, DVD

The Thing is a third person survival horror game, and sequel to John Carpenter's 1982 film The Thing. It was developed by Computer Artworks. PlayStation 2 version of this game was released in North America on August 19, 2002, and in Japan on February 27, 2003. ^[1]

1 Premise
2 The cast
3 Critical reaction
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Premise

The Thing is set 3 months after the film's ending, when two United States military rescue teams, Alpha and Bravo, are dispatched to investigate the loss of contact with U.S.Outpost 31. Alpha Team, headed by the unit's second-in-command, Sergeant Pierce, his squad is dropped at the near by Norwegian Outpost. Bravo Team, lead by the unit's Commanding Officer, Captain Blake, is then dropped at the American research station.

The player assumes the role of Captain Blake, and must learn how to coordinate and command his Bravo Team colleagues whilst investigating the ruins of Outpost 31 and locating clues and messages detailing the incident for players who are unfamiliar with the film. The mission supervisor, Colonel Whitely, will offer sporadic assistance and relay objectives via radio. This section serves as an in-game tutorial and training level and offers some insight into the events which transpired following the end of the movie. Upon securing the facility, Blake is airlifted to the Norwegian research station to locate and reinforce Alpha Team after Whitely informs him that they have lost contact with the team.During your investigation of the ruins of the Outpost,you will find the UFO from the film. You will also find the body of Childs,the second hero from the movie.Upon discovering Childs you find that Macready is not with him,even though they sat in the very same location in game as they did in the film together.This leaves one to think that Macready was assimilated and then killed by Childs,or Macready found Childs dead and decided to make the trek for survival on his own(in the trailer of the beta version of the game,Blake finds Macready dead)Towards the end of the game you encounter Macready. Macready helps you defeat the last boss and rescues you via chopper.But, one will wonder how did Macready survive for 3 months in the arctic tundra.Their is only one reason to explain this. After Blair-Thing is destroyed, Macready finds Childs. They sit down in the burned out shack.they are going to wait for a rescue team.Macready awakens from his frozen slumber only to find that Childs is dead. Macready runs a blood test on Childs to see if he was infected.The test turns out negative.Childs probably drank him self to death or he just froze to death.Macready wanders away from the burned out remains of the camp and wonders off towards another camp.He resides their and tells no one of the incident at Outpost 31.He looks at a radar screen at finds some activity(where you fight the last boss)he decides to investigate. he finds a chopper mounted with a mini gun just in case things get hectic.He finds you,helps you,and in the end rescues you.

[edit] The cast

Voice actors include Kathryn Cressida (who has acted on many video games such as EverQuest 2 and Titan Quest: Immortal Throne), and William B. Davis as Col. Whitely (who played Cigarette Smoking Man on The X-Files.) John Carpenter also lent his likeness to the character Dr. Faraday.

[edit] Critical reaction

The Thing received a modest critical reception. Edge magazine awarded it 7 out of 10 in issue 116,^[2] highlighting the well-managed tension and atmosphere, and the impressive weapon effects (such as the flamethrower.) However, the reviewer was ultimately disappointed by the game's linearity.

GameSpot also awarded the PC version 7.7 out of 10,^[3] while giving the Xbox and PS2 versions an 8.4 criticizing the "fear/trust/infection" system (one of the main features of the game) as having little impact. However, the reviewer felt that the game still worked as a good shoot 'em up with almost flawless presentation. IGN rewarded The Thing with a 8.5 out of 10 for the PC version and their complaint about this game was its lack of replay value. GameZone gave it a 8 out of 10.^[4] ^[5]