The Thing
- Designer Mark Chaplin
- Publisher (Self-Published)|(Web published)
- Illustration Viktor Csete
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
In The Thing, players take on roles of team members at an Antarctic research station threatened by a parasitic alien. One player is the Thing, while others are humans. The game uses asymmetrical card decks to simulate narrative encounters, requiring hand management and strategic teamwork. Secret deployment and dice rolling add tension as players try to survive and stop the Thing.
Who Is This Game For?
This game is aimed at experienced players aged 18 and older who enjoy thematic cooperative and bluffing games. With a playing time of about 45 minutes, it suits those looking for intense, shorter game sessions with moderate complexity and some prior experience in cooperative gameplay.
How It Works
The Thing combines hand management with cooperative team play and secret roles. Players use asymmetric decks representing narrative acts to resolve encounters. The Thing player secretly places infection cards under human characters to sabotage them. Worker placement and dice rolling support task allocation and progress within the game.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Mark Chaplin, The Thing won the 2011 Golden Geek Best Print & Play Board Game award. It is based on the 1982 horror film and merges film narrative with cooperative bluff mechanics. Part of the 'Continents: Antarctica' and 'Movies: The Thing' families, it offers a unique blend of horror and deduction gameplay.
Awards
2011
Pro
- Asymmetric cooperative game with bluff elements
- Strong theme based on John Carpenter's The Thing
- Winner of the 2011 Golden Geek Best Print & Play Board Game
- Short playing time around 45 minutes
Contra
- Only for 2-4 players
- Recommended for ages 18+ due to mature theme
- Requires experience with cooperative and bluff games
Setting & Atmosphäre
The game is set in a U.S. Antarctic research station threatened by a parasitic alien organism, closely following the theme of John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic The Thing.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on optimizing your hand management and carefully observe role interactions to spot bluffing and deception.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
The Thing is designed for 2 to 4 players and does not support solo play.
How long does a game really take?
A game lasts about 45 minutes, suitable for short to medium-length sessions.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with cooperative games and bluff mechanics is helpful as the game requires tactical thinking and teamwork.
How does this compare to similar games?
The Thing uniquely combines cooperative bluffing with asymmetric card decks and a strong horror theme.
Is this suitable for families?
Recommended for ages 18+; its complex bluff and horror elements make it more suitable for adults.
What mechanic makes it special?
Its mix of cooperative play, hand management, and secret unit deployment defines the experience.
Fazit
The Thing is recommended for fans of cooperative, thematic bluff games, especially those familiar with the horror film. Its 45-minute duration makes it ideal for focused shorter sessions.
