The Thing is a game that combines different mechanisms to create an experience that is as faithful as possible to that of the original film. It is a "hidden role" game, where one player is initially the Thing and the others players are humans. The purpose of the Thing is to infect others, to keep the survivors from escaping from the base (which can happen three different ways), or to try to escape with them by behaving as a human.

In addition to these elements, players will also have to manage Outpost 31. On the map are the same areas as seen in the film, and each of these areas allows players to perform a different action. Human players will have to feed themselves and keep the boiler and the generator on to avoid being in the cold and dark. The Thing will attempt to sabotage these places to make life difficult for humans...or not, trying to camouflage itself among the humans and infect them when the perfect opportunity presents itself.

The aim of the game designers was to bring the same personal emotions and paranoia that the protagonists of the film experienced to the gaming table.