Thing, The Cheats, Hints & Tricks
Cheat mode
Note: This procedure involves editing a registry value; do not attempt this if you are not familiar with working with your system registry, as a mistake can cause serious problems with Windows. Start Regedit and use the "Registry/Export Registry File" menu option to create a backup copy of your original registry. Go to the following entry:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Computer Artworks/TheThing/1.0
Create a string value by selecting "Edit/New/String Value" menu option. Name it one of the following "String Value" names and press [Enter]. Right click on the "String Value" name entry that you just created, click "Modify" then type 1 at the "Value Data" field and press [Enter] to activate that code. Note: Replace 1 with a 0 to disable an activated code. Exit and save the modified registry. Note: Cheats will work after a new level is loaded -- loading a saved game will not activate them.
Effect - Registry String Value
Unlimited health for player - PlayerInvulnerable
Unlimited health NPCs - NPCInvulnerable
All weapons - FullWeaponEquip
Enable game saves
Note: This procedure involves editing a registry value; do not attempt this if you are not familiar with working with your system registry, as a mistake can cause serious problems with Windows. Start Regedit and use the "Registry/Export Registry File" menu option to create a backup copy of your original registry. Go to the following entry:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Computer Artworks/TheThing/1.0
Create a string value by selecting "Edit/New/String Value" menu option. Name it DoInGameLoadSave and press [Enter]. Right click on the "DoInGameLoadSave" entry, click "Modify" then type 1 at the "Value Data" field and press [Enter]. Exit and save the modified registry. "Load Game" and "Save Game" selections will now appear in the options menu when you press [Esc] during game play. Note: Do not use "Load Game" option in that menu, as it does not work properly (go back to the main menu instead); however the save option works as expected. The saved game name will be called "TestGameName".
Hidden trailer
Wait about one minute at the main menu to view a longer, uncut television trailer for the game.Persuade a person
When someone's trust is in the orange and they will not do anything for you, enter first person mode and aim the gun at their head for three seconds. They will now do things for you without good trust.Get a doctor to follow you into a fight with the Thing
Use the following trick to get a doctor in the same room with you during your battle with the second giant Thing. Walk to the large garage door. Get the doctor close to the door as well. Then, tell him to not follow you anymore. Push him as close to the door as possible; and close enough to you that when you flip the switch to open the door he will not move. Before you flip the switch, tell him to follow you again. Flip the switch and when you are shown in the locked room with the second giant Thing, he should be beside you. Use him to heal you during the fight with the Thing.Get Whitley to follow you:
The following trick requires Stun Grenades (found in the back of the room with Boss 3), Blood Test Kit (found in the same room), and the Grenade Launcher (in the save room down the hall from Boss 3). Starting after third Boss fight (hanging tentacle monster), backtrack your way out of the weapons lab, back up the air vent, and to the "mine" elevator. As soon as you reach the surface, strafe left, and equip both the Grenade Launcher and Stun Grenades. If you step forward at all, it triggers an intermission sequence you have to die and start the level over. Enter first person mode and aim up the corridor, parallel with the bottom of the last metal wall panel. Launch a grenade and quickly walk forward. The intermission sequence will trigger, but Whitley will stand still instead of running off. Now, quickly run ahead of him (preferably block his path to slow him down) and use the Blood Test Kit. He now trusts you enough to follow orders. Order him to follow you (otherwise he walks around the corner triggering guards to attack) and give him a weapon. You have now backup. He only lasts a brief amount of time, and will disappear roughly halfway up the snow corridor, which appears scripted. However, every bit of backup firepower helps in that spot.In the last level where you have to find Whitley as an objective, as you stand in the elevator strafe left and launch a grenade just outside the opening. If done correctly, you can bring Whitley with you to help kill all the troopers. Note: You have to give him some weaponry.
Two medics
In the level where you must find Faraday, do not hit the switches until you have met the medic downstairs. Bring him up to the top of the ramps and tell him to stay. Hit the switches and go to find Faraday. Leave, and on your way out, the medic will not have turned. You will get two medics for the remainder of the level.Keep Williams
On the level where you must gain access to the weather station, go to the side of the building to your right. Throw a grenade under the vent and the door will be blown off, allowing access. If you had gone in regularly, Williams would have turned into a Thing. Using this trick will save many medikits for the levels ahead.Skip first Boss battle
When you encounter the first Thing Boss, hold Up/Left to run diagonally and you should run under it before it can hit you. This will also aim you directly at the junction box. Immediately start fixing it. As soon as it is almost fixed, hold Right to run through the door. Since he will still keep fixing it as long as you do not release the button, with luck it will be fixed before the Boss attacks for the third time. At the intermission sequence you tend to take off in a random direction, so this may take a few attempts -- save immediately before trying this. If successfully completed, you will lose only about half a bar of health and no ammunition, making the next area much easier.Defeating the second big Thing
Go into to his garage. Fix the electrical panel that operates the hoist. Step back towards the middle of the big door. There is an opening between two of the crates. Using your grenade launcher in first person targeting, send in a grenade. If the Thing turns its head toward you, then you have him targeted. Continue sending in grenades until he begins to burn. You can send in a few more if desired for extra fun. Run into the Thing's room and on the far wall from the big door is a switch. Throw the switch and watch as the Thing dies. You will probably take one hit from him.Defeating the third Boss
Run around the Boss in a circle while shooting it with the machine gun. When it is low on health, use the flame thrower to finish it off. If done correctly, you can kill it without being hit. After you kill the Boss, the Thing in the glass in the room will break out, and the door will be opened with a few guards.This Boss has a sweet spot. If you get directly under it, it will not attack. When you get under it, blast away until its health is in the red, then burn it.
Place Peltola in front of you in the room, just before you enter the room where the Boss is located. Inch him into the doorway. When the door fully opens, push him in and fire at the same time. He will enter with you and fight. Use him for his fire power and to keep the walker busy while you attack the big Boss. Peltola will die during the battle.