As previously teased, cult classic PS2 horror The Thing is being remastered for PS5 by retro specialists Nightdive Studios, the same team behind the re-released versions of System Shock and more. The legendary 2002 single player outing will be retooled on Sony’s new-gen system, with upgraded visuals, quality of life improvements, and 4K visuals at up to 120 frames-per-second.
“You are Cpt J.F. Blake, leader of a US Special Forces rescue team sent to investigate the blood-curdling events and enigmatic deaths of the American scientific team that transpired at the Outpost 31 research facility located in the frozen wastelands of Antarctica,” the blurb reads. “Within these inhospitable surroundings your team encounters a strange shape-shifting alien life-form that assumes the appearance of people that it kills. Trapped by the elements and infected by this horrific entity, using all your team members is critical if you hope to accomplish your objectives, let alone survive. If you only knew which ones were still human.”
While it was far from perfect, the original game had some fascinating ideas, like a trust mechanic which influenced the psychological state of your squad. The original release was criticised due to this system not reaching its full potential, so it’ll be interesting to see whether Nightdive Studios has made any adjustments. It does promise “gameplay enhancements to improve your experience”, and they’ll be necessary – the PS2 version doesn’t handle particularly well these days.
Comments 22
I must talk about this game to my kids a few times a year. Hyped it's being remastered but was hoping for a remake. While I love the original, it has a few big problems.
Love the movie, loved this game, day one purchase.
This is a quite important release why? Nightdive haven't remastered/remade games this "new" before, this means more games from the 6th gen might see remasters/remakes from them as well.
Now that is good news, will be picking this up for sure
Great, I loved this game. The trust/fear mechanic was great. I can't believe no newer game has tried to build on it. I was playing this recently on ps3 and the PS2 controls are truly awful by modern standards. I got to a boss in a small room I couldn't get passed. With modern controls this will be a definite buy!
@sammyb You were right all along!
Love the film but missed out on the game back then, so I will be buying this and Nightdives work has been consistently great
Excellent news. I completed it for the first time time a few months ago and enjoyed it. Although it was emulated and save states made things alot easier but still looking forward to the remaster
Can't wait! Despite the problems the game had it was an experience I still remember!
Not just for PS5 but also for PS4.
It's a fave horror in this house. Carpenter knows how to make em. The game was great, if a bit fiddly,, so a remaster is a day one as long as it reviews above 6 I think it was.
Love the film “You gotta be ‘flippin’ kidding me!”, I borrowed the game in the early noughties and remember liking it. Had good atmosphere
Love the first movie, like the second and always wanted to play this.
Man what a masterpiece John Carpenter's The Thing was. Such a wonderful balance of suspense, effects and acting.
The dvd commentary between Carpenter and Kurt Russell was worth listening too as well...very informative but also it was like two mates watching a film.
Gives me hope for other license games like Scarface the world is yours port
The original among us
Physical or bust.
Day 1 buy. I never got to finish the rental copy all those years ago.
One of my favorite horror movies and PS2 games. And I’m always down for anything Nightdive makes. I’ll be picking up System Shock soon, once I finish Dragon’s Dogma 2.
Keen for this!! The game was great. The first movie was great - and dare I say it, the remake of the movie was pretty good too!
If IP game can have a remaster,
I want Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie to get a remaster also
@adit365 I'd be up for that too.
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