As a seasoned gamer with over three decades under my belt, I must say that The Thing: Remastered is shaping up to be quite the treat for us old-timers and newcomers alike! With its rich atmosphere, improved graphics, and creepy-crawly creatures, it’s sure to give me nightmares (or maybe just a good scare) for weeks on end.
For quite some time now, Nightdive Studios has been thriving, garnering widespread praise for revamping timeless games such as Bladerunner, Quake 2, Star Wars: Dark Forces, and Doom 1 + Doom 2. Their forthcoming project is a lesser-known gem from the early 2000s – The Thing by Computer Artworks.
The remastered version of “The Thing” doesn’t have a confirmed launch date, but it’s expected to drop sometime in 2021, possibly as late as December. It will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. Here are 15 fascinating facts about “The Thing: Remastered”, including what made the original so appealing and all the fresh elements being incorporated.
“Faithful Restoration”
Nightdive Studio is committed to delivering an authentic revamp of the 2002 survival horror game, featuring both third-person and first-person movement options. However, for those unfamiliar, The Thing is a title that follows the storyline of John Carpenter’s movie of the same name. It continues the narrative, with Captain J. F. Blake as the main character, tasked with uncovering the mysteries surrounding Outpost 31 in Antarctica. Tragically, players will discover they are being pursued by the terrifying creature that caused chaos in the film.
Multiple Characters
Throughout the game, you’ll be managing Blake, but you can also issue commands to other non-player characters (NPCs). Each character has a distinct role: Medics specialize in healing allies, Engineers focus on unlocking locked doors, and Soldiers excel at dealing damage and are more proficient in combat compared to the other roles. Therefore, their collaboration is crucial for survival.
The Thing(s)
In the movie, the central creature can take on horrifying forms. These include Scuttlers, smaller creatures that are relatively easy to eliminate, Walkers, larger beings requiring a flamethrower to defeat, and Bosses, who have unique strategies but also have weaknesses to fire. While their repugnant appearances make them intimidating, it’s their ability to transform into different shapes that poses the greatest threat. You’ll want to kill them due to their living state, but be cautious as their shape-shifting abilities could put you in danger.
Impostors and Infection
Yes, this implies that you’ll encounter Non-Player Characters (NPCs) and have the option to kill them and take on their identities. However, the catch is that you won’t know who among these NPCs have been replaced, making it difficult to determine who to trust. This applies reciprocally, as the NPCs won’t be certain about trusting Blake either. It’s intriguing to note that if any NPCs are attacked by the Things, there’s a possibility they could become infected and transform more quickly, which is definitely not desirable.
Trust
Adding another layer to this intricate gameplay, I find myself grappling with the Fear/Trust System. To earn the aid of non-player characters (NPCs), Blake needs their trust, which isn’t a walk in the park when they harbor suspicion towards him as the Thing. Trust can range from complete distrust and immediate hostility (red), uncertain (amber), friendly (green), to 100 percent. Building trust can be achieved by shielding NPCs or providing them with resources, but it can also dwindle if Blake unintentionally or intentionally harms them. If an ally stands firm at 100 percent trust, they’ll stick by him through thick and thin, regardless of his trigger-happy tendencies with friends.
Fear
Absolutely, it’s crucial to factor in fear responses as well. This happens when an NPC encounters gruesome scenes or is attacked. If an NPC becomes excessively frightened and enters a panic state, their behavior can become unpredictable, potentially attacking you or even harming themselves. Solutions such as administering adrenaline or eliminating threats can help calm them down, but be cautious – if an NPC reaches their breaking point, they need immediate assistance to prevent things from worsening.
Weapons and Tools
In this scenario, Blake and the team have a variety of weapons at their disposal for dealing with “The Thing”. These include flamethrowers, assault rifles, submachine guns, grenade launchers, shotguns, and heavy machine guns. However, besides these conventional tools, resources like adrenaline, ammunition, health packs (which can increase team unity and reduce fear), and blood test kits (essential for confirming Blake’s health status) are equally crucial. The challenge lies in managing the distribution of these weapons and items effectively.
Total Levels and Playtime
In the game The Thing, there’s plenty happening with its intricate mechanics and diverse outcomes, yet surprisingly, it doesn’t take as long to complete as one might assume. It consists of 20 levels in total, all taking place within Outpost 31. The main story can be finished in approximately seven hours, while completionists may spend around nine and a half hours. Nightdive Studios hasn’t mentioned any plans for additional content yet, so we’ll have to keep an eye out for further updates.
Up to 4K and 144 FPS on Current-Gen Platforms
In the updated version of “The Thing,” you can anticipate enjoying 4K resolution and a smooth performance of up to 144 frames per second on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5. So far, the gameplay suggests that “The Thing: Remastered” will appear exceptionally clear at higher resolutions, and it’s expected to perform even better due to Nightdive’s KEX Engine.
Improved Lighting and Atmospheric Effects
Besides enhanced frame rates and resolution, there are also advancements in lighting and atmospheric elements that contribute to an increased sense of tension. Whether you’re exploring beyond the outpost and feeling the biting cold as snow falls or admiring the warmth of the fire and the shadows it creates, it represents a notable improvement in the experience.
Improved Textures and Characters
Improved character designs, textures, and animations are featured in this version, with the latter being meticulously created by Nightdive for a more authentic feel. This enhancement makes the characters appear more appealing, but it also makes the creatures running around (especially the Scuttlers) seem even more unsettling and revolting.
Quality of Life Features
In terms of its remastered games, Nightdive Studios is renowned for their focus on enhancing the player experience. This same level of quality should be anticipated in The Thing: Remastered. Beyond Achievements on PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam, specific details about additional features are not yet available. However, Director Mark Atkinson has mentioned some adjustments to areas where players might run out of ammo, offering a glimmer of hope. Regrettably, those seeking different difficulty options will be disappointed as they are not included in this remaster.
Scalable Difficulties
In the Nightdive Studio’s Deep Dive series, Atkinson affirmed that the remastered version of “The Thing” won’t feature a “Story Mode” level of difficulty. Instead, players should anticipate adjustable difficulties, implying that the game’s complexity will increase based on your performance. However, don’t be fooled into thinking it’ll be an easy stroll through the park.
Plays As Well or Better Than the Original
In addition to his promise that the remastered version would perform at least as well, if not better, than the original, Atkinson hinted at potential alternatives for control scheme improvements. However, he also suggested that players who prefer the traditional layout might find it more responsive. As ever, only time will tell for certain.
PC Requirements
Fortunately, “The Thing: Remastered” is quite lenient for PC gamers, needing just a mere 5GB of storage space during installation. The minimum specifications include an Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz or AMD Ryzen 3 1300X 3.5GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, and either Nvidia GeForce GTX 650 TI (2GB) or AMD Radeon HD 7750 (1GB) graphics card. If you’re aiming for a smoother gaming experience, consider a Core i5-6600k 3.5 GHz or an AMD Ryzen 5 1600 3.2 GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, and either a GeForce GTX 1070 (8GB) or AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 (8GB) graphics card. The requirements for 4K haven’t been specifically stated, but unless your hardware is more than three years old, you should be able to meet them without much trouble.
Read More
- GBP EUR PREDICTION
- SEI PREDICTION. SEI cryptocurrency
- TRB PREDICTION. TRB cryptocurrency
- CNY RUB PREDICTION
- POL PREDICTION. POL cryptocurrency
- HBAR PREDICTION. HBAR cryptocurrency
- TNSR PREDICTION. TNSR cryptocurrency
- RLC PREDICTION. RLC cryptocurrency
- CTXC PREDICTION. CTXC cryptocurrency
- OKB PREDICTION. OKB cryptocurrency
2024-12-04 14:41