The Thing

 Xbox
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
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  1. Maxim Online
    100
    Incredibly atmospheric (it makes great use of flickering lights, icy landscapes, and foreboding corridors) without skimping on the screams, The Thing is a terrifying battle to the finish.
  2. GameZone
    89
    Scary, intense, fun and totally enjoyable. The Thing is a qualified hit, and anyone who doesn’t mind the level of violence, gore and blood will find this an addicting experience.
  3. Armchair Empire
    86
    A good game that isn’t ground-breaking; however, it does add some interesting considerations with the Trust and Fear of your squad-mates and it creates a terrific atmosphere.
  5. Electric Playground
    85
    There really aren't a lot of flaws that I can point out in this game, but I do wish that Blake had the ability to jump.
  6. Media and Games Online Network
    85
    By far the most unique and interesting portion of The Thing is the controls and gameplay.
  7. Game Over Online
    85
    Works so well because the plot, design and setup all execute in complete harmony.
  8. GameSpy
    85
    The screeching of the monsters when they're getting shot and killed is piercing to the ears. Coupled with believable voice acting and excellent moody music, The Thing will be music to your ears.
  9. GameSpot
    84
    While the game has been recently released on the PS2 and PC, the Xbox version is the best of the three, combining sharp graphics similar to those found in the PC version with the superior console-style control found in the PlayStation 2 version.
  10. IGN
    83
    Well-paced, designed with an excellent variety of levels, and it pulls off one the most innovative and best squad-based play on a console to date.
  11. Game Informer
    83
    This version shutters more during gameplay - especially when you turn the game camera. [Nov 2002, p.144]
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  12. Gamestyle
    80
    Given the importance of the flamethrower, the fire effects are splendid and are consistent with excellent lighting throughout.
  13. Official Xbox Magazine
    80
    Those who can stomach its brand of horror will be amply rewarded. [Nov 2002, p.143]
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  14. GamerWeb Xbox
    80
    The right mixture of intrigue, fright, and gore make for the best survival/horror game currently out for the Xbox.
  15. GamePro
    80
    The Thing definitely provides, and the care the developers have taken to keep the tone similar to the film is icing on the cake.
  16. G4 TV
    80
    Like a truly interactive horror movie, The Thing unfolds at a suspenseful pace...One of the most unique and compelling story-driven games to hit console systems in some time.
  17. 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]
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  18. Xbox Nation Magazine
    70
    It packs a good measure of original gameplay concepts; it just suffers a few missteps that keep it from ranking in the upper echelon of Xbox titles. [Winter 2002, p.95]
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  19. TotalGames.net
    70
    The trouble is that The Thing just doesn’t scare us and that, you’d think, is a vital part of any horror game.
  20. Xbox World Australia
    69
    If you’re a fan of the film then you may get a kick out of The Thing and it is fun to play after watching the movie again. Just don’t expect the games biggest selling point to be anything more than a worthless gimmick.
  21. Eurogamer
    50
    The voiceovers are also crushingly generic, featuring the kind of stereotypical scripts that gamers ought to be well and truly sick of by now.
  22. Play Magazine
    40
    Its focus is clunky, and the disparate connection to your teammates sabotages the elements that game does get right. [Aug 2002, p.71]
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Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best Xbox Game of 2002
41
#41 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2002
45
#45 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 22
  3. Negative: 5 out of 22
  1. Broyax
    Jul 5, 2020
    0
    D'un medium à l'autre, cela ne va pas de soi notamment entre deux media pourtant assez proches (cinéma et jeux vidéo) mais dont lesD'un medium à l'autre, cela ne va pas de soi notamment entre deux media pourtant assez proches (cinéma et jeux vidéo) mais dont les adaptations de l'un à l'autre et vice-versa se révèlent trop souvent problématiques, pour ne pas dire durement et totalement merdiques...

    Ainsi, cet étron opportuniste "The Thing" qui va déterrer un fossile de John Carpenter, film d'horreur sympathique dans le fond mais trop crade, cracra, cradoc, cradingue, trop crabeurk pour remporter l'adhésion et c'est peu de le dire, la chose étant décidément fort indigeste...

    Mais si le film est moyen, le film converti en "jeu vidéo", lequel est une sorte de suite directe, s'avère d'une lourdeur, d'un non-amusemaent et d'une non-jouabilité alarmante, encore plus effrayante que la vermine elle-même qui fait aussi bien chier. Par défaut, les commandes sont réglées pour les gauchers et après rectification dans les options, ça se manierait presque normalement... sauf pour le lance-flammes qui exige une vue subjective trop mal faite.

    L'interface générale reste néanmoins très perfectible, le jeu est très linéaire et ne sauvegarde jamais ou presque : il faut tout recommencer... ou presque ! ; l'équipe qui vous suit est une belle brochette de boulets et si graphiquement, ça reste -je suppose- acceptable, la difficulté est carrément crispante, du genre qui casse un peu trop les couilles, si vous voulez mon avis. De toute façon, toi et tes clés, tes puzzles, ta répétiton répétitive, toutes tes conneries de jeu de merde, tu peux te les mettre au cul parce que là, ça m'emmerde et j'ai quand même pas que ça à faire !    … Full Review »
  2. JosephW.
    Sep 13, 2004
    8
    Great game, but could have been so much more, I don't believe they took full advantage of the trust and who can you trust thing. Also I Great game, but could have been so much more, I don't believe they took full advantage of the trust and who can you trust thing. Also I didn't like most of the bosses I fought, it was a tad cheesy when they tried to mix strategy type gameplay in an action game. Who the hell thought that it would be fun? To fight the thing bosses as in using intelligence than using action? … Full Review »
  3. NickV.
    Apr 16, 2004
    7
    Going into this game i feared the worst. a licensed game, team play and that look that says trouble. but give it a chance and the thing willGoing into this game i feared the worst. a licensed game, team play and that look that says trouble. but give it a chance and the thing will be there. first thing that showed me that was the incredibly realistic voice acting and an amazing faithfulness to the movie. however its not all peaches and cream. the difficulty cant make up its mind, one minutes its cakewalk easy the next it hair pulling hard and with such an emphasis on team play there isnt much of it. it dosent help that when your not with a team your either fighting enoying crackshot humans or extremly frustating boss battles(which odly dont have any medpacks to pick up after they die.) however if you have the patience the thing will definetly give you a good time!… Full Review »
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