The Thing

 Xbox
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
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  1. SimonH.
    Oct 8, 2002
    7
    A good game, excellent graphics and a lot of puzzle solving.
  2. JamesH.
    Dec 31, 2003
    7
    Based on the idea behind the sci-fi, horror film of the same name, The Thing picks up the plot some 20 years after the end of the film. The designers have attempted to re-create the same kind of edgy, are they The Thing or aren't they?, tension by developing a kind of trust/fear team system. You can gain trust by killing monsters or performing a blood test on yourself, however your Based on the idea behind the sci-fi, horror film of the same name, The Thing picks up the plot some 20 years after the end of the film. The designers have attempted to re-create the same kind of edgy, are they The Thing or aren't they?, tension by developing a kind of trust/fear team system. You can gain trust by killing monsters or performing a blood test on yourself, however your team mates will cease to help you or even fight you if they lose trust in you (i.e dont give them a gun/ammo or shoot them). Whilst this is a really nice idea in principle it actually fails to re-create the tension of the film as almost everyone you meet will turn into the thing once they have fulfilled their use in the game. This takes the tension away in my opinion and the lack of any meaningful NPC interaction means that you are never really surprised or shocked when a team-mate 'changes'. That all said, this is still an enjoyable game with a story arc not dissimilar to Half Life. In spite of a few quibbles, this game held my interest all the way through. It has limited replay value though so you may want to consider renting or buying it used.… Expand
  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 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 hairGoing 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!… Expand

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Gamestyle
    80
    Given the importance of the flamethrower, the fire effects are splendid and are consistent with excellent lighting throughout.
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  2. 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]
  3. 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.
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