Alone in the Dark
Release Date: March 20, 2024
Action, TPP, survival horror, horror, action adventure, interwar period, singleplayer
Reboot of the cult horror series, launched in 1992. In Alone in the Dark we find ourselves in the Derceto mansion, which we traverse in the skin of Emily Hartwood and Edward Carnby. The protagonists investigate the mysteries of the place and confront the monsters that have overrun it.
Alone in the Dark is a psychological horror adventure action game. It is a reboot of the cult, albeit somewhat forgotten, series, launched back in 1992. The project was developed by Pieces Interactive studio (authors of such items as Magicka 2 and Titan Quest: Anniversary Edition), while its release was handled by THQ Nordic.
Plot
In the 1920s, Emily Hartwood's father disappeared under mysterious circumstances in the southern United States. Years later, the woman arrives at the Derceto estate, which serves as a home for the insane, accompanied by a private investigator - Edward Carnby. While trying to unravel the mystery of Hartwood's disappearance, the duo discovers that the mansion has been taken over by sinister forces, by which staying there turns into a real fight for life.
Mikael Hedberg - author of scripts for such games as SOMA and the Amnesia series - was responsible for the plot of Alone in the Dark.
Game mechanics
In Alone in the Dark we observe the action from a third-person perspective (TPP). The game allows us to play the role of both Emily Hartwood and Detective Carnby. We mainly wander through the halls and corridors of the mansion, but we also have the opportunity to explore its immediate surroundings (we visit, among others, the garden or the streets of the nearby town). As we progress, we get to know the strange inhabitants of Derceto and solve various puzzles, gradually uncovering more secrets of the place.
It doesn't end there, as the evil that has taken over the mansion manifests itself in the form of terrifying creatures. We eliminate the monsters, making use primarily of firearms. The matter is complicated by the fact that ammunition here is a scarce commodity, so we must constantly save it.
Technical aspects
Alone in the Dark features high-quality graphics. Most noteworthy are the detailed models of characters and monsters, although the locations bathed in darkness can not be faulted either. We can listen to the jazz soundtrack, composed by Jason Kohnen.
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Videos and Screens
[1:12] Alone in the Dark Alone in the Dark - Accolades Trailer
[2:36] Alone in the Dark Alone in the Dark - Launch Trailer
Gamepressure Review
Alone in the Dark
A famous franchise makes a comeback with its modernized reboot, but can it live up to the legacy?
PlayStation 5OpenCritic Rating
Game is Recomended by 25% of Critics. There are 134 Critic Reviews.
Hardcore Gamer: 3.5 / 5 by Jacob Bukacek
It's not a horribly frightening game, but it nonetheless has a thick atmosphere and an air of mystery that one cannot help but want to delve further into. This latest Alone in the Dark likely won't quite make the horror classic cut, but it's close. It's close enough that any follow-up will almost certainly be something just about any horror fan will excitedly look forward to playing.
TheSixthAxis: 5 / 10 by Jim Hargreaves
While it's great to witness the return of survival horror royalty, Alone in the Dark haphazardly follows modern genre trends where it once invented them. While it mostly succeeds at drawing players into a Lovecraftian mystery, it's hard to ignore the underbaked action elements used to patch these story beats together.
The Jimquisition: 7.5 / 10 by James Stephanie Sterling
I was pleasantly surprised, especially given the series’ ignoble history to this point, to find 2024’s Alone in the Dark is actually really enjoyable. While not the most polished or visually impressive game, it’s a charming one that goes out of its way to pay tribute to the original trilogy with its survival horror elements and shameless lore dumps. An effectively spooky presentation, violent enemies, and clever puzzles round out the package, making this the first Alone in the Dark game since the 1990s to be an Alone in the Dark game.
The main pros of the game
- Atmosphere and Setting: Many players praised the game's atmosphere, describing it as immersive with a strong Gothic and Lovecraftian feel. The design of Derceto Manor and the overall visual aesthetic were well-received.
- Story and Characters: The narrative, which follows two protagonists (Edward and Emily) on a quest filled with twists and turns, was noted for its engaging elements. The inclusion of well-known voice actors like David Harbour and Jodie Comer added depth to the characters.
- Puzzles and Exploration: Players appreciated the puzzle-solving elements and the exploration of the mansion, which provided a break from combat and added to the detective aspect of the game.
- Sound Design: The sound effects and musical score were frequently highlighted as strong points, contributing significantly to the eerie atmosphere.
The main cons of the game
- Technical Issues: A significant number of reviews pointed out technical problems, including poor optimization, frame rate drops, stuttering, and various bugs that disrupted gameplay.
- Combat Mechanics: The combat system was often described as clunky and stiff, with players finding it lacking in fluidity. Many noted issues with melee combat and the overall responsiveness of controls during fights.
- Character Development: Some players felt that the characters lacked depth and emotional resonance, making it difficult to connect with them throughout the story.
- Repetitive Gameplay: A few reviews mentioned that the gameplay could become repetitive, particularly in terms of puzzle design and enemy variety.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- More Varied Enemy Design: Players expressed a desire for a greater variety of enemies, as many felt that the existing designs were too familiar and uninspired.
- Improved Combat System: Many users wanted a more refined combat experience, possibly with additional mechanics or smoother controls to enhance engagement during fights.
- Depth in Storytelling: Some players noted that while the story had potential, it could have been explored in more depth, particularly regarding the protagonists' character arcs.
- Localization Issues: A few reviews mentioned the lack of Spanish voice acting, which impacted immersion for non-English speaking players.
Summary
- In summary, while "Alone in the Dark" offers a nostalgic and atmospheric experience with engaging puzzles and a compelling story, it suffers from technical flaws, combat issues, and a need for deeper character development. Players recommend it primarily for fans of the survival horror genre, ideally during sales due to its mixed reviews regarding value for money.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 160 votes. 53 players anticipated the game.
7
GAMES
in Alone in the Dark Game Series
Game Series
Alone in the Dark Series
A series of survival horror games, the first part of which is sometimes considered the protoplast of the entire genre. Over the years, the series has been handled by various development studios; while Infogrames was behind its first three installments, it was later developed by such teams as Darkworks, Eden Games, Hydravision Entertainment, Pure FPS and Pieces Interactive, among others. The first owner of the rights to the brand was Infogrames (later renamed Atari), but in 2018 they were sold to THQ Nordic.
7 video games
Alone in the Dark Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Pieces Interactive
Publisher: THQ Nordic / Nordic Games
Alone in the Dark System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: (30 fps / 1080p) Intel Core i3-8300 3.7 GHz / AMD Ryzen 3 3100 3.6 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 1050 Ti / 8 Radeon RX 570 or better, 50 GB SSD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
Recommended: (60 fps / 1080p) Intel Core i5-12400 2.5 GHz / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce RTX 2060 / 8 GB Radeon RX 5700 XT or better, 50 GB SSD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
Ultra: (60 fps / 4K) Intel Core i5-13600K 3.5 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz, 32 GB RAM, graphic card 12 GB GeForce RTX 4070 Ti / 20 GB Radeon RX 7900 XT or better, 50 GB SSD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
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