The Thing: Remastered Review (PS5)

One of many earliest articles this creator ever wrote for Push Sq. was about Pc Artworks’ terrifying 2002 horror shooter, The Factor. A decade later, Nightdive Studios has labored its magic on a remaster, respiratory new life into this rough-around-the-edges gem.

Being a direct continuation of the best horror film of all time will not be straightforward, so it’s admirable that CA crafted one thing that feels trustworthy to the movie, even when the story goes in some uneven, enjoyably insane instructions. Ambiance is equally vital, although, and The Factor Remastered has an impressively oppressive one. This was true again in 2002, however the glow-up that Nightdive has given the sport is particular, even when it nonetheless feels very a lot “of its time”.

Lighting is totally overhauled, textures have been massively upgraded, and a variety of mechanics have been tweaked. The belief and an infection programs stay, however they work extra organically than in 2002. A lot of the beforehand uncovered artifice is extra convincingly lined up. The belief system required you to maintain your squad mates with weapons and gadgets, in any other case they’d cease following your instructions, whereas the an infection system mirrors that scene from the film, checking squad members’ — or your individual — blood for an infection, thereby outing the international invader hiding beneath the pores and skin. Initially, the scripting on these occasions felt far too contrived, however now outdoors of some moments, it feels way more pure.

Aiming additionally receives some tweaks, although this solely goes thus far. Firing felt poor in 2002, and it does so once more within the remaster. Nonetheless, at the least the precise technique of aiming feels smoother than it used to, with the first-person mode specifically feeling significantly better.

Nightdive has drastically improved on a misplaced gem from the flip of the century, with a large visible overhaul that additional enhances on an impeccable ambiance, even when aiming nonetheless underwhelms.