Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare

 PlayStation
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 81
  3. Negative: 2 out of 81
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  1. Kai82
    Apr 11, 2022
    10
    This is one of the best survival horror games of its time but also a bit forgotten. The franchise itself is dormant or even dead as the last games were prime examples how to kill a franchise. The last entry “Alone I the Dark Illumination” is a nightmare and were it not forgotten would be a poster child for games ruined by poor development decisions. Back to this game: I think I can evenThis is one of the best survival horror games of its time but also a bit forgotten. The franchise itself is dormant or even dead as the last games were prime examples how to kill a franchise. The last entry “Alone I the Dark Illumination” is a nightmare and were it not forgotten would be a poster child for games ruined by poor development decisions. Back to this game: I think I can even argue it is above the Resident Evil games of its time. It had better puzzles, a stronger story and much content for a survival horror game. It is the fourth entry in a successful series but never reached the fame or selling numbers of the Resident Evil or Silent Hill games. The story features two main characters. Edward Carnby who was also the protagonist of the former games is an FBI detective in a special task force. In my words they are the guys / girls for the really weird stuff aka paranormal activities. He is investigating the death of his friend / colleague Charles Fiske who was on a search for ancient tablets on a mysterious island at the coast of Massachusetts. Accompanied is he by Aline Cedrac who is a young university professor with helpful knowledge. She has also a personal interest in the Island as her biological father she never met possibly lives there. The adventure starts when their plane is attacked by something strange above the island and they parachute out. You can chose either Edward or Aline as main character. Both have their own story arcs and meet each other on occasion. Edwards arc is more battle orientated and Alines has more puzzles. I recommend both to get the full adventure and praise the developer for giving us 2 separate but connected adventures. Could be just like a Mario and Luigi swap but they focused to give something different. I praise the story and atmosphere. You will seek the light and fear the darkness (This was also a hint). Also they showed me I one of the most memorable scenes that nothing is fare more scary than anything what I imagined (No sarcasm and I remember the scene and dread today). The atmosphere is superb and on par with Silent Hill sometimes. Gameplay wise it is the fine survival formula of its time. Scare resources, puzzles and riddles as you progress trough the story. The puzzles and riddles actually are quite good. More and harder than Resident Evil. The fighting parts were smooth back then but I will say they aged a bit. For clarification: I found them better as the Resident Evil games and those aged not well (Would be either be heavily criticized today or seen as homage to tank controls). The presentation was top notch and surprised me. The graphics, atmosphere and soundtrack were remarkable good for the time but this definitely aged not well. It was amazing how stylish and good the levels looked. Overall I see this as hidden gem and probably best survival horror game of its time. I round up to a 10/10 for the 2 separate play-troughs as the different arcs work well.… Expand
  2. maure88devil
    Sep 17, 2019
    10
    still my favorite sh game ever made!!I hope they make a great return of it soon or later,not that disgusting illumination!!
  3. Talomustkill
    May 7, 2019
    10
    Jugabiliad excelente, historia muy bien contada, música que te mantiene con un constante nerviosismo por saber que me podre encontrar a la vuelta de la esquina y enemigos bastante originales.
  4. Tomas95
    Jul 7, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ein Meilenstein in sachen Atmosphäre und könnte locker mit den Resident evil spielen mit halten, die Story wahr gut der Sound herausragend und die Horror Elemente für damalige Verhältnisse wahren auch gut ich hoffe das remake des ersten teils kan überzeugen… Expand
  5. KateJN
    Jun 4, 2023
    10
    One of the best survival horror games. It's a masterpiece. The atmosphere, the sound design and the animations are so impressive for a PS1 game. Can't wait for the new Alone In The Dark this October!
  6. Subject98
    May 31, 2012
    9
    One of the first games that was able to scare me. Many have called it a resident evil rip off but it actually sticks pretty close to the gameplay mechanics and style of the original alone in the dark games, which predate RE by a few years... so who borrowed from who again? Anyway, Shadow Island is a creepy place to explore and you get to do it in two different scenarios, which are actuallyOne of the first games that was able to scare me. Many have called it a resident evil rip off but it actually sticks pretty close to the gameplay mechanics and style of the original alone in the dark games, which predate RE by a few years... so who borrowed from who again? Anyway, Shadow Island is a creepy place to explore and you get to do it in two different scenarios, which are actually much different from each other and both just as fresh and exciting. It's the best in the series, but also the last good entry to date.… Expand
  7. Steyraus
    Jun 5, 2022
    9
    I had no idea the PlayStation port of this game was so good, it feels like it was meant for it..This game is a slice of History, one of the OG survival horror in the franchise that invented the genre..If you ha e a PS2 and like horror, this game is full of atmosphere and that special survival blend..There's some load times and dum puzzles , but over all it a great game that stands toeI had no idea the PlayStation port of this game was so good, it feels like it was meant for it..This game is a slice of History, one of the OG survival horror in the franchise that invented the genre..If you ha e a PS2 and like horror, this game is full of atmosphere and that special survival blend..There's some load times and dum puzzles , but over all it a great game that stands toe to toe with the early RE games, its even better imo.… Expand
  8. CJBailey14
    Nov 11, 2013
    9
    I don't usually get scared, by anything, but this... I am frequently having to take 5-10 minute breaks to get my breathe back. The soundtrack is also phenomenal, and the grainy graphics and sounds makes everything even scarier. Amazing game, and gripping storyline. Only faults are a couple of small holes in the story and the controls.
  9. FabioLink
    Jan 15, 2019
    9
    Um doa maiores jogos de terror de todos os tempos,que jogou no seu lançamento sabe oque estou dizendo.
  10. Pmstz
    Jan 30, 2023
    9
    The best Alone in The Dark.
    I think its a kind of masterpiece in this kind of game.
    F***** scary (Maybe still scary in 2023 lol)
  11. EvilResident
    Sep 19, 2001
    8
    Let Me Get Straight To The Point About That This Game: It Is Scary, So Before You Decide To Play It, I Suggest That You Buy A Few Extra Pairs Of Pants Because You Will Be Filling Them With A Solid Substance. You Can Tell Straight Away That This Is Going To Be An Excellent Game By The Opening FMV Sequence, and Once The Game Starts The Graphics And The Lighting Effects Are Superb. There Let Me Get Straight To The Point About That This Game: It Is Scary, So Before You Decide To Play It, I Suggest That You Buy A Few Extra Pairs Of Pants Because You Will Be Filling Them With A Solid Substance. You Can Tell Straight Away That This Is Going To Be An Excellent Game By The Opening FMV Sequence, and Once The Game Starts The Graphics And The Lighting Effects Are Superb. There Are Very Few Glitches In The Game, but The Thing That Annoyed Me A little Bit Was When The Character Walked Onto Another Screen And The Game Sticks For A Split Second But Is Still Noticable. There Is A lot Of Gameplay To Be Had In This Game With It Having 2 Cd's And 2 Scenarios, One With A Women And One With A Man, Both Having Different Reasons For Going Onto Shadow Island. They Get Split Up At The Beginning Of The Game And Have To Complete Numerous Puzzles To Find What They Are Looking For And Get Of The Monster Invested Island. Over All The Gameplay And The Story Is Excellent And If You Decide To Buy This Game, You Will Not Be Disappointed.… Expand
  12. WiraP.
    Aug 12, 2001
    8
    Totally great game. Will wait for the next game, and I hope its not gonna be the same title.
  13. AlanW.
    Apr 1, 2002
    8
    This game was pretty cool, but there were too many keys that when you examined them didn't hinder good instructions. I could never find the doors the keys said that they went to! Overall, a good survival/horror game with decent graphics, and, "That almost made me piss my pants!" effects.
  14. VictoriaB.
    Jul 27, 2001
    7
    It's the ultimate game meant for those quick witted thinkers and has that distinct horror/survival game flavor.
  15. Rox22
    Apr 3, 2013
    7
    A decent enough continuation of the series into the console era. It follows the Alone in the Dark Formula to the letter. And that is it's biggest flaw. It doesn't do anything new. It is more or less exactly the same as the 3 game that came before it, just with better visuals. A pity, as this did feel like a wasted opportunity.

    Overall: While it does feel like they could have done more,    A decent enough continuation of the series into the console era. It follows the Alone in the Dark Formula to the letter. And that is it's biggest flaw. It doesn't do anything new. It is more or less exactly the same as the 3 game that came before it, just with better visuals. A pity, as this did feel like a wasted opportunity.

    Overall:
    While it does feel like they could have done more, Alone in the Dark: New Nightmare is still a great game that does do what it sets out to do.    … Expand
  16. VLG
    Aug 23, 2023
    7
    I played this when i was too young, i didnt know where to go or what to do most of the time. I also couldnt save the game because it was a limited resource lol. But i loved it.
  17. wesker2012
    Mar 26, 2013
    5
    Interesting resident evil style game that will most likely only appeal to hardcore survival horror fans. I really wanted to love this game being a huge of resident evil and Dino crisis fan. The puzzles were way too hard though and also there were way too many keys without proper instruction where to use them.

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best PS1 Game of 2001
10
#10 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 2001
2
#2 Most Shared PS1 Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Gamezilla!
    92
    With eye-popping graphics and outrageous sound effects, Alone in the Dark excels at being creepy.
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  2. Total Video Games
    90
    Truly a fantastic game and shines like a diamond stone. With the limitations of the PlayStation, the developers have still managed to cram every last bit of detail into this one. Go out a buy it. Now!
  3. GameZone
    83
    This game is tough – but from my general experience, this is what survival horror games are all about.
    Read full review
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