The Thing: The Boardgame (2022) Board Game

The Thing: The Boardgame is a tabletop game based on the iconic 1982 science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter. Designed by Giuseppe Cicero and Andrea Crespi, the game was released in 2022 by Pendragon Game Studio. It captures the suspense and paranoia of the movie, where players must work together to survive while also trying to figure out who among them is secretly the alien creature.

Game Components of The Thing: The Boardgame

1 Base Board

1 Leader Sheet

1 Double Sided Weather Table Tiles

1 Freezing Tile and 1 Freezing Cube

1 Weather Dice

34 Fuel Tank

16 Food Cubes

12 Flamethrower Reload Cube

8 Suspicion Disks

1 Leader Token

51 Action Cards

8 Character Sheet

16 Role Cards

15 Item Cards

11 Location Cards

12 Weapon Cards

40 Lab Tokens

20 Damage Counters

1 Power Failure Token

8 Fire Tokens

14 Alien Strength Tokens

1 Rescue Helicopter

9 Dog Infection Tokens

24 Human Contagion Tokens

4 Dogs

1 Laboratory Bag

1 Contagion Bag

12 Character Standees.

How To Setup The Thing: The Boardgame

Setting up the game involves placing the base board in the middle of the playing area, distributing character sheets and role cards to each player, and preparing the various components such as action cards, item cards, and tokens. The game includes rules for different player counts, with specific setups for 1-3 players and 4-8 players. The setup ensures that all necessary components are within reach and that each player has a clear understanding of their role and objectives.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hidden Identity: One player starts as the Alien, with the goal of assimilating all other players or preventing them from escaping the base.

Worker Placement: Players perform actions by visiting different rooms in the base, such as searching for gear, repairing vital functions, preparing food, and scrounging up blood bags.

Resource Management: Managing fuel, food, and other resources is crucial for survival and escape.

Social Deduction: Players must discuss and suspect each other to identify the Alien. Public votes and blood tests can reveal the Alien’s identity.

Sabotage: The Alien can use sabotage cards to cause havoc and disrupt the humans’ plans.

Escape Mechanisms: Players must fuel and repair vehicles (helicopter, snow cat) or send an S.O.S signal to escape the base.

Player Experience

The game is highly interactive and suspenseful, requiring active participation from all players. Discussions in the Rec Room can be intense as players accuse and defend each other. The game’s tension is maintained through the constant threat of the Alien and the need for collective action to keep the base functioning. The experience is engaging but can be complex, with many phases and rules to follow.

Pros

Immersive Theme: The game stays true to the 1982 film, capturing its mood and atmosphere.

Engaging Mechanics: Combines worker placement, resource management, and social deduction for a dynamic experience.

High Replayability: Different roles, items, and scenarios ensure varied gameplay each time.

Active Participation: All players are involved throughout the game, making it interactive and suspenseful.

Cons

Complex Rules: The game has many phases and components, which can be overwhelming for new players.

Player Count Issues: The game is best with 6 or more players; smaller groups may find the experience less engaging.

Down Time: Some players may experience downtime, especially in larger groups, if not managed properly.

Personal Thoughts on The Thing: The Boardgame

This game is ideal for groups that enjoy heavy social deduction games and are willing to immerse themselves in a complex, suspenseful experience. It is recommended for players aged 14+ who can handle the thematic and mechanic depth. While it may have some issues with rule complexity and player count, the game offers a unique and engaging take on the social deduction genre, making it a standout for fans of John Carpenter’s film and those looking for a challenging cooperative game.

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