The Thing

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: VU Games
  • Release Date: Aug 20, 2002
  • Also On: PC
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 52
  3. Negative: 8 out of 52
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  1. TarikT.
    Sep 25, 2002
    2
    This game really sucks, terrible story good puzzels, but probobaly one of the worst combat systems i have ever come across. Yea the combat system really brings the game down 8 points, basically all you do is shoot the aliens and then use your flame thrower, it may seem cool at first but it actually gets exteremly lame. This is a good rental if you were a fan of the movie the thing, which This game really sucks, terrible story good puzzels, but probobaly one of the worst combat systems i have ever come across. Yea the combat system really brings the game down 8 points, basically all you do is shoot the aliens and then use your flame thrower, it may seem cool at first but it actually gets exteremly lame. This is a good rental if you were a fan of the movie the thing, which i must say was sooo dope, i loved the movie. If not you should not waste your money on junk like this.… Expand
  2. jimtrashash
    Mar 20, 2003
    1
    i would rather have cancer then play this game ever again,i mean this game is so terrible the only reason i gave it a 1 was the satisfaction i got from taking it out of my ps2 dropping it in the toilet pulling down my pants and stooling all over it then letting it set there for 3 months..i mean dont even rent the f****** thing you stupid motherf******
  3. AnonymousAnonymous
    Oct 1, 2002
    0
    Absolute trash. The game wasn't scary. In fact I was more afraid of the lint in my pocket. Your men are all infected so when you get one its better to waste two shots then a weapon. You are kill in a couple hits, you always need a egineer or you need to open a door, the guns are crap your men (if you are dumb enough to keep them) will NEVER follow orders and usually kill them selves
  4. [Anonymous]
    Sep 12, 2002
    0
    This game is horrible. The atmosphere is really bad. Not to much to explore and action takes forever to take place. Playstations Shame!!!
  5. Decrata
    Mar 17, 2014
    4
    I went into this game with very low hopes, and a small desire to enjoy a game from years past. I love playing older games, and as you can see, most of these reviews are from around the time the game was released. I try to keep things like this in mind (just finished beating Beyond Oasis for Sega, which I loved...for example). However, once I started playing this game, I knew there wouldI went into this game with very low hopes, and a small desire to enjoy a game from years past. I love playing older games, and as you can see, most of these reviews are from around the time the game was released. I try to keep things like this in mind (just finished beating Beyond Oasis for Sega, which I loved...for example). However, once I started playing this game, I knew there would be difficulty really enjoying it. I saw that it was somewhat of a short game, and I never shy away from a challenge.

    This game has some really good ideas...squad-based strategy...emotion...trust...diversified approach to combat, but it doesn't do any of them well. A great example is the fact that your teammates can be infected, and figuring out who is a THING is a big part of the movie, as it could have been here. Come to find out, it is completely arbitrary. This was one of the parts of the games that I was looking forward to, and there is no way you can actually figure out who is going to turn.

    This may also seem like a minor complaint...but after 8-10 hours of hearing "We've got company" (what your teammates scream when enemies show up, which is all of the time) it gets REALLLLY old.

    The targeting is pretty good, but the problem with enemies is the approach is fairly similar, even though they tried to set up situations differently. Beat them down...burn them. Punctuate that with sometimes unforgiving check points and you have a problem.

    The bosses can be a bit tough, praying on the fact that your character can't move a certain way, but I always found a way to stand in a spot that was relatively safe. Just like any boss, after time, you can beat them without getting hit.

    All in all, I would say to pass on this game. I purchased it for 4.99 with shipping on eBay, and the frustration that it caused was not worth the nostalgia of playing an older game.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Best PS2 Game of 2002
21
#21 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
24
#24 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. GameCritics
    65
    Another barrier to immersion was that the level of realism is inconsistent, and conveniently tossed aside when necessary.
    Read full review
  2. Armchair Empire
    86
    There’s almost a complete absence of soundtrack and it really works in creating a sense of dread (coupled with the sporadic nature of the thing attacks, at least in the early going).
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    This contrived implementation of a great concept is disappointing, but at least the surrounding game delivers some taught cinematic moments that would make Carpenter proud. [6 Sept 2002]
See all critic reviews »