Let’s talk about The Thing on PS2—a game that feels like it shouldn’t exist but somehow does, and surprisingly, it’s actually good! Released in 2002, it’s a video game sequel to John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), which, let’s be real, is arguably the best sci-fi horror movie of all time. Yeah, I said it—even over Alien. The game builds on the atmosphere, paranoia, and terror of the film, and while it’s not flawless, it’s a hidden gem that fans of survival horror (and the movie) need to check out.
What Makes It Worth Playing
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A Faithful Sequel to a Masterpiece:
If you’ve never seen the movie, stop reading and go watch it—it’s a flawless piece of sci-fi horror that’s probably in my top 5 movies ever. The game picks up after the events of the film, dropping you into an Antarctic nightmare as a soldier sent to investigate what happened at Outpost 31. The story does justice to the movie, with Easter eggs and callbacks that will make fans smile (or scream). -
Atmosphere for Days:
The game nails the cold, isolated feel of Antarctica. The environments, while dated by today’s standards, ooze tension. You’ll wander through abandoned outposts, blood-soaked rooms, and snowstorms that make you feel completely alone—and terrified. It’s got that same oppressive dread that made the movie so legendary. -
Trust and Fear System:
One of the game’s most innovative features is the way it handles paranoia. Your squadmates can lose trust in you if you act suspiciously or fail to prove you’re not infected. The blood test mechanic ties directly into the movie’s iconic scene, and watching a trusted ally suddenly erupt into an alien monstrosity is pure nightmare fuel. -
Shockingly Good for Its Time:
Let’s not forget that this was a game based on a 20-year-old movie (now 40 years old) when it came out in the early 2000s—a time when movie-based games were mostly cash grabs. Yet somehow, The Thing delivers a legitimately engaging survival horror experience that’s better than it had any right to be.
The Downsides
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Clunky Combat and Controls:
It’s a survival horror game from the early 2000s, so you know what you’re getting into. Aiming and shooting can feel stiff, and the controls aren’t always intuitive. While this adds to the tension in some ways, it can also lead to frustration, especially during intense fights. -
AI Can Be Hit-or-Miss:
The Trust and Fear system is brilliant, but it’s only as good as the AI running it. Sometimes squadmates panic at the worst possible times or don’t respond to your commands, which can turn a tense situation into a frustrating one. -
Limited Resources:
Like many survival horror games of its era, The Thing loves to starve you of ammo and healing items. This ramps up the tension but also leads to moments where you’re stuck save-scumming to survive. -
Dated Graphics:
While the visuals were solid for the time, they haven’t aged particularly well. Character models are blocky, and environments can feel repetitive. That said, the overall art direction and atmosphere still hold up surprisingly well.
Nostalgia Trip:
Some of the best reviews I’ve seen from fans of the game speak to just how memorable it was:
- “A shockingly good game from the early 00s based on a movie that was 20 years old at the time, now 40 years old.”
- “I rented it on PS2 back in university and finished it in a weekend.”
For a game tied to such a legendary movie, it manages to stand on its own as a solid survival horror experience. It’s a rare gem from an era when movie-based games were almost always forgettable.
Final Thoughts
The Thing (PS2) is far from perfect, but it’s an ambitious and atmospheric game that captures the essence of one of the best sci-fi horror movies of all time. The Trust and Fear mechanics, combined with its direct ties to the movie, make it a must-play for fans of the film. Sure, the combat and graphics are dated, but if you can look past those flaws, there’s a tense, paranoia-fueled survival horror experience waiting for you.
Rating: 7.5/10
If you’re a fan of the movie or early 2000s survival horror, it’s worth tracking down. Just be prepared for some clunky mechanics and a healthy dose of nostalgia.