A star once shone in the thick of the gaming industry, but over time and thanks to an impenetrable maze of failures, the Alone in the Dark franchise has gone from legend to a sad shadow of the past. Beginning its journey back in 1992 under the direction of French designer Frederic Reynal, it made an undeniable contribution to the world of video games with technological innovations that today seem like a mere throwback to history, but in its time were admired and admired.
Over time, this story has become a sad memoir of creativity being swallowed up by mediocrity. The latest attempt to resurrect the legend, Alone in the Dark: Illumination, turned against the creators like a boomerang, receiving only 19 points on Metacritic and giving fans nothing but disappointment.
However, in the twilight of fading hopes, the light of a new chance has arisen. Backed by THQ Nordic, Studio Pieces Interactive decided to freshen up the story by resorting to a Hollywood splash. Series stars Jodie Comer and David Harbour took on the lead roles, giving the revamped Alone in the Dark a new, appealing look.
Secrets of Derseto Manor
Emily Hartwood was shaken to the core when she received a letter from her uncle, Jeremy Hartwood. Without hesitation, she enlisted the help of private investigator Edward Carnby to join him in delving into the mysterious mystery of the mental institution. Under their joint efforts, the classified doors of Deserto Manor will unfold their dark secrets.
The new Alone in the Dark is flavored with fear and ominous discoveries, backed by realistic actors and exciting cutscenes. Every document, note, and letter the player finds along the way only adds detail to this grim puzzler.
Derseto Manor becomes the stage for the decisive battle between man and darkness, where the choice of one of the two protagonists will determine the path and the view of the horrifying truth. The plot, intertwined in an atmosphere of survival and horror, keeps the player in strictly tension from the first minutes, transporting him to a time when every step could be the last.
Lovecraftian horror
Like the original 1992 version, Alone in the Dark’s script is deeply rooted in the dark mysteries of H.P. Lovecraft’s mythos, promising players a deep dive into a world of unwanted rituals, otherworldly visions, and sinister travel between dimensions. The mystery of the plot only fuels interest and promises a thrilling immersion into a world of fear and mystery.
Penetrating the dark corners of the estate, players will have to overcome not only physical obstacles but also cross the boundaries of reality, entering the otherworldly dimension. Thin threads of horror intertwine with reality, and fears and hallucinations can surround you at every turn. Dark corridors, mysterious sounds, and unexpected shifts in reality create an atmosphere where every movement becomes a test of nerves.
Although the story follows a linear path, players can influence the progression of events by deciding which puzzles to solve first and in what order to explore the estate. While avid horror fans will enjoy the suffocating atmosphere and dark secrets, newcomers to the genre will have to keep their nerves in check lest they find themselves prisoners of this dark world.
A return to a horror classic
The developers have inherited the best traits from the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 3, infusing the same atmosphere of tension and horror into the game. In the gloomy corridors of Derseto Manor, characters search for clues, clues, and ammunition, fighting unknown evil and crossing into otherworldly dimensions, where new threats await. And don’t forget the important role of the inhabitants of the manor, who, although not the main characters, have an important role in the story.
There are not so many enemies, but their presence is felt quite keenly. The selection of ammunition and medicines should be strategic because even a small number of misses can cause real panic and danger.
For those just starting in the world of survival horror, fighting dark forces doesn’t require much skill. Even if you sometimes have to maneuver between firearms and melee attacks to avoid running out of ammunition, resources like ammo and health kits are always at your fingertips, albeit diminishing in difficulty mode. All you have to do during combat is proceed with caution and tact.
The fights themselves are a firearms game, where you can aim more precisely, aiming at the enemy’s weak points, and use knives for powerful melee attacks. Additionally, you can use stealth to get around enemies by baiting them with items to then get behind their backs.
In general, despite all the threats, fears, and mysteries, each fight becomes a kind of test, that even beginners will be able to pass, adhering to the elementary rules of survival and combat.
Mysteries and puzzles
The puzzles in Alone in the Dark have a nice balance: not too difficult, but not too primitive either. Sometimes it’s enough just to move a few objects to put a picture together, and sometimes you’ll need to scrutinize a note or the environment to find the key to the solution.
They add variety to the gameplay, enlivening the atmosphere of the investigation and requiring the player to concentrate. Good puzzles are not only an ability to captivate, but also a way to create a pause in the tension, which is especially valuable in a world where every step can be your last.
Mysterious atmosphere and technical flaws
The developers perfectly conveyed the atmosphere of a mysterious thriller, creating a lively and atmospheric world in the game. Every corner of the house is filled with objects, the rooms are enlivened with things, and the otherworldly dimension is shrouded in a mystical fog that gives it a mystery.
Although the graphics are not state-of-the-art, the numerous details enhance the immersion of the game. However, the musical accompaniment, although not intrusive, does not leave much of an impression.
Some of the animations and optimization are disappointing. For example, frame rate issues on PC can make the game uncomfortable to play, although the developers will probably fix this in future updates. On consoles, the game may also face some technical flaws.
Despite this, these moments do not spoil the overall impression of the game, leaving room to enjoy the atmosphere and story, although it is sometimes recommended to save manually due to possible technical glitches.
Bottom Line
Alone in the Dark 2024, although not flawless, has some advantages and disadvantages.
First, let’s turn our attention to the positives. One of the key aspects that attracts attention is a qualitatively developed plot and characters. It is emphasized that it is thanks to a well-developed narrative that the game immerses the player in an intriguing atmosphere. Also highlighted are the enjoyable horrifying moments and quality sound design, which helps to create the atmosphere of the game.
However, despite these pluses, there are drawbacks as well. Battles and puzzles are often rated as not engaging enough and frustrating. The game’s graphics are also criticized, especially in the context of comparisons with other projects of the genre. Optimization problems and bugs are also noted as factors that hinder the full gaming experience.
Alone in the Dark, despite its shortcomings, is a fascinating mystical adventure, which may not be a masterpiece, but can interest its viewers, especially those who appreciate well-developed plots and atmosphere. The game can be a good choice for spending a few exciting evenings in the world of horror and mystery.
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