At a remote research station in Antarctica, a group of scientists encounters a chilling and incomprehensible evil. An alien organism, capable of flawlessly mimicking other living beings, attacks the expedition, seeking to break free from its icy prison and head toward places with more potential victims. The monster must be outsmarted and destroyed to save humanity—but first, the researchers must save themselves, with no clear idea of who can still be trusted and who has already been infected, turning into a bloodthirsty creature.

About the Game: The Thing: The Boardgame

"The Thing: The Boardgame" is a semi-cooperative thriller inspired by John Carpenter’s cult horror film. The game’s creators aim to vividly recreate the atmosphere of paranoia and despair that reigns at Outpost 31. One player takes on the role of the alien, striving to escape the station, while the others must stop them, armed with flamethrowers, Molotov cocktails, and other intriguing tools.

How to Play?

At the start of the game, roles are assigned by randomly distributing character boards or letting players choose based on preference. Afterward, players discover whether they’ll be playing as the alien or a human. As in the movie, the infection begins with the dogs, and the player who draws the infected dog token becomes the alien. Your role must remain a secret and cannot be discussed with other players! Once roles are set, the game begins. Gameplay consists of rounds, each potentially including up to eight phases. These phases are played in strict order, from the first—weather conditions—to the eighth—dog movement and leader change. There may be fewer than eight phases depending on the specific game situation. Players must manage their needs, such as food and sleep, while visiting various station locations and maintaining their functionality. This complicates the task of capturing the alien, as it can either harm others or blend in as an ordinary expedition member.

Who Wins?

In essence, the game pits two teams against each other—humans and aliens—with only one emerging victorious. The humans win if they manage to escape the station and warn humanity of the danger, ensuring the alien doesn’t escape with them. Escape is possible via a rescue helicopter, the station’s helicopter, or a snowmobile, and it must be done even if all aliens have been eliminated.

The aliens, on the other hand, must either eliminate all humans or escape the station—either with them or alone. The aliens also win if at least one human freezes to death at the station. Both humans and aliens win as a team, even if they’ve been taken out by the end of the game.