Alone in the Dark

Alone in the Dark remakes the original in all the elementary ways that were perfected a long time ago. It recreates the mechanics and the atmosphere of the first games with genuine precision yet fails to improve on the formula in any meaningful manner. It’s an experience you will probably enjoy getting bored with.

Alone in the Dark remakes the original in all the elementary ways that were perfected a long time ago. It recreates the mechanics and the atmosphere of the first games with genuine precision yet fails to improve on the formula in any meaningful manner. It’s an experience you will probably enjoy getting bored with.

Alone in the Dark checks all the boxes when it comes to gameplay elements you would expect in a modern survival horror, but these seem to be stuck in the past. It feels like a project made with passion but enough budget to hit the AAA expectations. The archaic mechanics do not involve a pleasant nostalgia, rather make the entire game feel outdated. Overall, it is not a bad game, but it does not have enough oomph to make it compete with the best games out there, let alone reconquer the throne of the genre. With a hefty discount it can become an interesting choice for the fans of the genre, a period that should also give time to the developers to fix the bugs that are still present.

Alone in the Dark is a surprisingly competent effort that looks back at its own legacy more than towards where the genre has gone. There's less of a focus on combat and survival with the mystery of Derceto taking up the majority of my attention. The performances from Comer and Harbour add some gravitas to a tale that can occasionally stray into theatrics but there's a solid sense of atmosphere and good foundation for whatever comes next. I do wonder about longevity with the two campaigns sadly mirroring one another. Combat, whilst not front and centre, does seem to lack menace. I'd still recommend it, for anyone curious.

Alone in the Dark fulfills the proposal of offering us a reinvention of the classic 1992 game in a more decent way. The best thing about the game is the exploration and investigation, the possibility of playing two campaigns with different points of view is amazing. The shooting is not a big deal since the enemies are not difficult and we don't have new weapons or upgrades.

Alone in the Dark doesn't try to offer anything more than a typical survival horror experience. However, this turns out to be part of its charm, providing more or less a nostalgic experience that would make any fan of the genre to reminisce about the golden, PS2 era of survival horrors.

Alone in the Dark is, unfortunately, a missed opportunity. Despite an absolutely fascinating aesthetic and artistic structure, the game encounters terrible technical problems, so much so that it affects the performance of the game itself in terms of gameplay mechanics.

Alone in the Dark isn’t flawless, but it’s definitely one of the best entries in the series so far and an accomplished reimagining. Its story will keep you on your toes, even if sometimes you might feel like it could have a little more fleshed out. And while the game’s combat doesn’t impress, the oppressive atmosphere throughout is effective at keeping you on edge. Throw in a bucketload of enjoyable puzzles to overcome, and you have a survival horror that’s well worth spending some time with.

Alone in the Dark (2024) revisits the original 3D Survival Horror with respect for the 1992 game and the games inspired by it.

Alone in the Dark is a success in more ways than it's not. There are notable issues preventing it from reaching that upper echelon but nonetheless developer Pieces Interactive has crafted an engaging experience with enough charm that fans of the series, or indeed the genre, will no doubt lap up.

Despite its issues, Alone in the Dark is interesting enough to be worth completing. While much of the story overlaps between Emily and Edward, there are a couple of unique sections for each, and apparently if you uncover all of the hidden items there’s a secret ending available. With that in mind, Alone in the Dark can be completed in around 5 hours the first time and about half that for subsequent playthroughs because the puzzles don’t change depending on which main character you select.

Alone In The Dark may not be the shiniest or glossiest game available right now. It doesn’t boast cutting-edge graphics, but, I urge you not to be put off by how a game looks. Sure, I’d be surprised if Alone in the Dark is a game of the year contender (though I think its sound design and acting are worth a shout for a nomination) but if you love old-school horror games, then Alone in the Dark could be your surprise contender for 2024. Despite some flaws, it wholeheartedly gets my seal of approval.

Alone in the Dark has several problems, but I still had fun playing it. However, a classic that practically established the way survival horror is today deserved a remake done with more caution and care.

While this revisit to the Derceto Manor can be a bit jank at times, it captures a genuinely macabre, unsettling, and investigative narrative that Alone in the Dark has long been missing.

Alone in the Dark is the best entry in the franchise in over two decades, although there wasn’t much competition for that title. So-so combat, technical issues, and a frustrating lack of consistency sometimes cast a shadow over the game, and yet, there’s still something enticing here. The game’s intricately-designed Derceto Manor hub, thick Lovecraftian atmosphere, and surprisingly-varied level design ought to be enough to light a spark of enthusiasm in some hardcore survival horror fans’ dark hearts.

Alone in the Dark is a good game, typical of 90s horror experiences. We find the intention of the original game from 1992, with a particularly careful atmosphere, a gripping story and good old-fashioned puzzles, even if we find the same mechanics quite a few times. Too bad the fights aren't enjoyable to play, that's the big negative point of the game, much more boring than certain dated aspects. In short, Alone in the Dark 2024 is a good old-fashioned horror game, with a lot of charm, which manages to seduce even if it does not live up to the original. At the same time, it's difficult to hit the mark for a horror game in a world where Resident Evil 4 Remake or Alan Wake 2 already exist.

Alone in the Dark is a mid-tier title that successfully blends together elements of survival horror and adventure games, dripping with atmosphere but full of discouraging bugs. If you’re able to turn a blind eye to the noticeably limited development budget of this reboot, it can be really enjoyable.

Alone in the Dark 2024 revitalizes a classic franchise with a compelling setting and exploration focus, despite being marred by bugs and lacklustre combat.

Alone in the Dark plays more of a moody psychological thriller with a heavy emphasis on puzzles rather than a traditional survival horror experience. That combined with the plethora of technical issues hold another remake of an original masterpiece back from reaching its true heights.

Alone in the Dark is a faithful take on the original, with some smart puzzles and a charming Southern tone despite some frustrating combat.

Alone in the Dark is the best thing that has happened to this series in a very long time. It presents this supernatural and strange narrative in a modern light that doesn't overshadow the campy and over-the-top presentation of the original. Still, I feel like the developers are playing it safe here with the gameplay systems, including the underutilized dual protagonist concept. Regardless, the low barrier of entry ensures that anyone playing feels immersed in this world, and a sequel can build on the excellent foundation of this revival.

Alone in the Dark offers the same solid story for two playable characters. But the puzzles are simple to the point of lengthy, the fighting mechanics feel awkward and there is hardly any horror atmosphere.

A promising reboot with a solid narrative and good gameplay. Too many bugs, though, deprive the experience of what could have really been.

An old-fashioned Lovecraftian action-adventure game rather than frenetic Survival Horror, Alone in the Dark allows itself an interesting re-imagining of the founding episodes. Nostalgia unfortunately collides with obsolescence: even the hardcore fan of the license will have difficulty getting past systems that are too archaic. We would have appreciated that, freed from the chains of AAA with huge budgets and the need to necessarily do better than its competitors, the Pieces Interactive title tried more things, did things differently, allowed itself a certain radicality. It is not so. An adventure with a capital “AA”, imperfect in its substance as in its form, but sincere in everything it undertakes.

The adapted story is very engaging to follow which is complemented by clever level design and good exploration gameplay. At the same time, it is not the remake it could have been, as battles lack precision, the actors lack empathy and the technical side is also far from perfect. At its core, it is an interesting title, but these shortcomings definitely do the game no favors and that is a shame.

Alone in the Dark leaves a lot to be desired compared to other survival horror games, but it manages to deliver a somewhat competent experience. The game doesn't really shine in any aspect, but has small positives and is a good return for a franchise that needed a restart to position itself among the genre it created many years ago. Alone in the Dark is not dead, and if it manages to fix mistakes it can have a bright future ahead.

When it comes to horror games, you could do a lot worse than this, but you could also do a lot better. Its great puzzles belong in a much better game. [Issue#39, p.86]

That’s not to say this 2024 do-over is unworthy of one playthrough, especially now a month after release that many bugs have been ironed out. It has entertaining moments of visual splendour jostling against creeping dread but ultimately is a glimpse of unfulfilled potential.

It’s rare that I say this, but this video game probably should have been a movie instead. Honestly that’s the biggest thing I felt during this whole experience, between the live action stars, the way the cutscenes are shot and paced, the way the gameplay felt almost like an afterthought, it truly feels like they were basically trying to make a movie but decided it must be a game instead. Now, that’s not to say there’s nothing to enjoy, far from it! I really enjoyed the writing and performances, but it likely says something that I had a lot more fun just rushing through on a second playthrough on easy to see the story differences than I did on my initial go on normal where I actually had to explore.

Alone in the Dark’s biggest flaw is that it’s unfocused, unwilling to commit to its core premise, and unable to settle into anything that feels comfortable. When it’s in its puzzle-solving element, everything feels great, but in trying to ape other recent games in the survival horror genre, it ultimately falls apart.

Alone in the Dark is, interestingly, a more communal game than I tend to expect from survival horror. You're frequently running into the other inhabitants of Derceto. I enjoyed talking to them, though the writing isn't especially good, but the game never really delivers on its title and all that company prevents it from ever really getting scary. This is a solid enough retread if you've played through Dead Space and the Resident Evil remakes and want more. But it won't bring many converts to the genre. We'll have to settle for being alone, together, in the dark. Which sorta defeats the entire point when you think about it.

There are bright spots here that genre veterans can and likely will latch on to, but Alone in the Dark feels a bit too rough and unpolished in areas that are too critical to the experience to ever be able to truly meet its full potential.

A spirited attempt to revive the former glories of gaming’s original survival horror but a lack of scares and sub-par action can’t defeat the ghosts of the past.

There are too many flaws at the heart of Pieces Interactive's Alone in the Dark reboot for a blanket recommendation, but anyone with a love for classic survival horror gameplay should — after a few post-launch patches at least — find a relatively worthwhile experience. The combat sections are awful and there's very little to actually spook you, but the puzzle-solving gameplay at the game's core shines. For that alone, it'll find just enough of an audience ready and willing to love it.

Alone in the Dark is a collective of issues and fails to impress or add anything to the genre. It is hard to revive the beloved series, but the previous attempts and the final package here all signal that Alone in the Dark should remain a nostalgia.

Alone In The Dark aims to reimagine the classic 1992 game but falls short in creating an atmosphere worthy of a pioneering franchise in the survival horror genre. Despite being accompanied by good music and decent performances, it is a title with significant shortcomings in its overall pace, moderately acceptable puzzles, and a poor combat system. It seeks to evoke the purest Lovecraftian essence but fails to execute this idea with the expected success, which is disappointing for such a beloved series that fails to release games up to par.

Alone In The Dark is a survival horror reimagining that doesn’t quite live up to the legacy of its predecessors. Dans of the genre will find some fun here, but stars like Jodie Corner and David Harbour feel almost wasted on this mediocre offering.

Alone in the Dark marks a fine attempt at contemporary survival horror mechanics but is completely adrift with an incoherent narrative, dull design, and baffling tonal choices.

Although it is a descendant of the franchise that created the survival horror genre, Alone in the Dark from 2024 does not bring too much survival, nor horror. Apart from the new puzzles, this game does not bring anything interesting to the table.

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.

While there are genuine moments of excitement and mystery to be found in Alone in the Dark, they simply aren’t enough to offset the mountain of issues that plague the game, at least in its current state. With clunky and unsatisfying combat and more bugs than an Ekbom Syndrome convention, Alone in the Dark is a game that’s best left in the shadows—at least until some serious updates have been done to sort out its most glaring issues.

Alone in the Dark is a game that is worth a shot when it’s cheap, or if you’re a longtime fan of the series. For everyone else, it’s best to avoid.

Alone in the Dark returns with a refreshing take in terms of its setting and atmosphere. However, it never gets to shake off its nostalgic cobwebs to be a fulfilling game that can go toe-to-toe with survival horror peers. With lacklustre gameplay and uninterested protagonists dampening the experience, you can’t help but feel this game is from a bygone era.