The Factor (2002) by no means was a really scary online game. Certain, low-detail graphics have been far spookier greater than 20 years in the past, and there are some efficient leap scares in it, however by and enormous, Pc Artworks’ adaptation-sequel was goofy above all. Nightdive Studios’ The Factor: Remastered hasn’t altered that.
This is not a knock on the work the unique studio did on the sport. Fairly the other. I really consider that John Carpenter’s The Factor (1982) is so superior partly as a consequence of its capability to be equal components terrifying, gross, and simply humorous as s**t. Even when the group actually tried, The Factor (as an idea) could not actually be very scary after that first film; as the entire thing sorta relied on a component of shock that was passed by the tip of it. The 2011 prequel was proof that retracing the identical steps was a largely dumb method doomed to fail.
Pc Artworks’ sport, now delightfully recreated and upgraded by Nightdive (the latest remastering efforts of which have all been killer), went the other way: Make all of it larger and louder. That is what I prefer to name the ‘Aliens method’ to sequels. The shock component is gone and you may’t actually replicate the unique sense of worry, so have enjoyable with it and bend the style somewhat.
On the middle of The Factor (online game), there is a fairly archaic squad system that turns into the spotlight and most original function of the expertise the extra you play. A bunch of troopers go to the Antarctic outposts besieged by the horror from one other world shortly after the occasions of the unique film. Most of them are expendable, as in they’ll die midway by means of missions as a consequence of enemy harm or your personal f**k-ups. The worst/neatest thing about it? You’ll be able to primarily ‘softlock’ your self in the event you lose an engineer at sure factors of a stage, since they’re the one guys who can actually repair some damaged gadgets/doorways.
As a direct end result, The Factor could be fairly tense even when it is not scary. Ally AI wasn’t the best and hasn’t seen a lot enchancment, however these digital buddies are fairly efficient at utterly destroying reanimated limbs and different monstrosities. Principally, simply be sure that to maintain them stocked with ammo and take heed to their placement, particularly in slender corridors and messy rooms.
Cutscenes apart, there is not a lot writing finished for these expendable characters, which is why you may be listening to plenty of barks that repeat time and again. When that is mixed with their fairly predictable reactions to chilly (there’s a complete mechanic constructed round it), alien horrors, and also you messing up with wobbly goal, comedy ensues. Furthermore, they prefer to puke when feeling a bit stressed, so they may go “I am nice”, and instantly proceed to vomit their total guts out as a result of “I am nice” did not 100% imply they have been nice and dandy. Strive to not chuckle, I dare you.
Equally, get into a giant combat with ‘issues’ of all sorts and sizes and your allies are sure to be damage by the packs of nightmarish foes a bit an excessive amount of. Perhaps they have not gone down in battle, however likelihood is they’re contaminated and able to flip after you have healed them and heard a optimistic comment from them. Thoughts you, the outdated scripted transformations that straight collided with the blood take a look at system aren’t a factor within the remaster, however you’ll be able to nonetheless lose these guys proper after pondering they’re completely nice as a result of it was simply the sport spewing out random barks. It is the suitable kind of hilarious stuff. Hold your flamethrower well-fed and helpful.
Final however not least, I would prefer to level out that trying by means of home windows (each on the within buildings and snowy exterior) may give you comedy gold just like the second within the clip under. Some ‘issues’ are simply wandering across the space till you set off their aggro. In the meantime, misplaced NPCs are ready inside a warehouse so that you can drop by, however you’ll be able to see them sitting there whilst you frantically search for an open door. That is what the PS2/Xbox period video games have been all about. That is the stuff.
Whereas youthful players may need a tougher time adapting to the inherent jank of rusty AA video games from historical instances, veterans like me discover all this charming. The truth that Nightdive has so immaculately added to the lighting and texture work throughout the entire sport, whereas sprucing off some tough edges (such because the aforementioned blood take a look at phenomenon) does not negate the actual fact The Factor is f**king humorous at the beginning. It is the kind of stuff that would’ve been utterly erased by a full-blown remake. As an alternative, we have acquired a good way to replay the identical sport you bear in mind combating and laughing at.
The Factor: Remastered is offered now for PS4/5, Xbox One/Collection, Nintendo Swap, and PC through Steam and GOG.