The Thing: The Boardgame for 1-8 Players Ages 14+

In the game "The Thing," players must manage their survival by ensuring they can feed themselves and keep the boiler and generator operational, preventing them from succumbing to the cold and darkness. Meanwhile, the Thing lurks, attempting to sabotage these crucial resources in order to create challenges for the human players. Alternatively, it may choose to blend in with the humans, waiting for the perfect moment to infect them. The designers aimed to reproduce the raw emotions and pervasive paranoia felt by the characters in the original film, directly translating those tense experiences to the gaming format.

The game embodies the statement, “We're Not Gettin' Out of Here Alive. But Neither Is That Thing.” It is designed with multiple mechanics that work together to deliver an experience that closely aligns with the atmosphere and essence of the movie.

As the narrative unfolds, players grapple with the reality that “Nobody Trusts Anybody Now, And We're All Very Tired.” This is a hidden role game where one player assumes the role of the Thing, while the others take on the roles of humans. The tension rises as they navigate suspicion and uncertainty.

The Thing's primary goal is to infect as many players as possible. If it manages to take over a human, it eliminates all potential threats. A chilling realization occurs when considering, “If It Takes Us Over, Then It Has No More Enemies, Nobody Left To Kill It. And Then It's Won.” The infected players must work subtly to ensure the survivors cannot escape the base, which can happen in three different ways, or they may attempt to escape alongside the humans while masquerading as one of them.

As players engage with the game, they must also contend with the management of Outpost 31, reinforcing the importance of resource allocation and strategic decision-making amidst the chaos. The treatment of paranoia and mistrust leads to the assertion, “Anyone messes with me... and the whole camp goes!” This adds yet another layer of psychological tension as players navigate their relationships with one another.

The map is designed to mirror the infamous rooms from the film, each facilitating distinct actions for players. As they explore their surroundings, they can perform different tasks, but they must remain vigilant, as “Somebody in this camp ain't what he appears to be.” This element of deceit reinforces the game’s tension and emotional stakes.

In summary, "The Thing" transforms a cinematic horror experience into a thrilling tabletop game. With a focus on survival, manipulation, and the struggle between trust and betrayal, it invites players to immerse themselves in a world where paranoia reigns, and the line between friend and foe blurs. The gameplay not only pays homage to the original film but also provides players with a unique opportunity to experience the psychological terror it epitomizes, ensuring that each session is filled with suspense, strategy, and emotional engagement.

product information: