Xboxist

Alone in the Dark Review

Alone in the Dark is a venerable franchise with over 15 years of history behind it and strong support from fans of the original PC adventure. Atari have returned to revive the survival-horror series on current-generation consoles, but like any long-running franchise, fans' expectations are high. Does the game live up to the (almost impossibly) high standards set by veterans of the series? The short answer is not quite, but there is still a lot to enjoy in this flawed but ambitious reboot.

There is a lot of history weighing on this release. In 1992, the first Alone in the Dark title practically kick-started the entire “survival horror” genre, with hero Edward Carnby sneaking through a haunted 3D mansion in pursuit of answers to a paranormal mystery. The game featured non-linear gameplay and a heavy emphasis on environmental puzzle-solving. The next two games in the series took a more action-oriented approach, but most fans preferred the formula from the first game. A few more sequels and a couple of console generations later, and he we are in 2008.

Atari have clearly made a conscious nod to the first installment by giving the protagonist the same name as the hero from the 1992 PC game, and more information about his life is revealed during the course of playing through this adventure. For better or worse, that is where the similarities end between the two titles. The 2008 release has the benefit of highly advanced console hardware, and for the most part does a good job taking advantage of it. The game takes place in the environs around Central Park in New York City, and it manages to capture the feeling and mood of the location very convincingly. Much of the action takes place indoors, and these environments all feel very much “alive” (including the creepy “fissures” that chase the hero along walls and floors of buildings). On the other hand, an over-reliance on scripted events and linear storytelling means that there is really only one path to follow to get from point A to point B, a bummer for those who like a bit more freedom in their games. Scripted events crop up a bit more than we would have liked, particularly during the game's challenging driving sequences. At certain points in the plot, players will be put behind the wheel of a car and asked to navigate a treacherous maze of scripted obstacles which, while impressive-looking, ultimately prove punishing as players must memorize the sequence in order to pass it successfully.

The storytelling -- while linear -- is a big part of Alone in the Dark, and the creators of the game have crafted a doozy of one here. Without giving too much away, the plot of the game centers around a mysterious stone which seems to have enabled creatures from hell to terrorize the inhabitants of New York. The story-like aspect of the game is apparent in every aspect of its design, including a fast-forward feature which lets players skip ahead to a different “episode” if they so choose. Every time a new save is loaded, the game offers up a cutscene which begins with the cinematic cue “Previously on Alone in the Dark…”, further augmenting the sense that this is a game to be watched as much as it is to be played.

Notwithstanding the game’s title, there are very few times when you will actually find yourself alone while playing. The various characters that you will meet (and be forced to protect) along the way all have convincing voices and are modeled realistically. While the script often borders on the fantastical, it is generally well-written by video game standards. The characters do tend to drop a lot of F-bombs over the course of the game, which can either add to or detract from the experience, depending on whether you like swearing in your games.

Visually, the game holds its own against other current-generation titles. Bump mapping, normal mapping and dynamic lighting and shadows abound. Furthermore, it is clear that the designers put a great deal of effort into the art design, as they have managed to capture a blockbuster cinematic feel throughout the adventure. One of the most memorable features of the game is its incredible fire effect, which is used not only to build a sense of danger, but as a gameplay element as well, since it is required to dispatch enemes permanently once they are knocked out.

The camera is mostly cooperative, although the cinematic approach does sometimes result in some awkward viewing angles, making jumps and other stunts difficult to gauge. One frequently annoying feature is that in third person view, the camera is fixed to face only 180 degrees in front of the player. While this potentially adds to the realism (since even video game characters don’t have eyes on the back of their heads) it means that players are constantly fighting to get a view of what is going on behind them.

Many fans have complained about the controls in this game, and for the most part their complaints are valid. By the standards of modern first-person shooter and adventure games, the controls often feel clunky and poorly implemented. For example, accessing the inventory screen – while innovative – is a chore that had us swearing at the screen more than it had us marveling at the immersive “interface” on display. When you finally have an object or melee weapon selected, it is fun to swing it around with the right analogue stick in near 1:1 motion sensitivity. But when it comes time to drop an object, pick up another one, or drag a temporarily-downed foe into a fire to send them back to hell, the clunky controls become a major issue once again. While we are sympathetic to the complaints by those who found the controls “game breaking”, we will add this caveat: Alone in the Dark is an adventure game, firmly inspired by old-school design conventions that put on-screen action before user interface. Yes, the controls suck, but your hatred of them will vary depending on your mileage with these types of games that often have less-than-perfect control schemes.

Alone in the Dark is an ambitious title that adds some interesting new gameplay elements to the tired adventure formula. Unfortunately, the experience is filled with as many missteps as it is with genuine improvements, and the game never coheres to produce a fully satisfying experience. However, fans of the survival-horror genre with a good amount of patience are advised to check out this game for what it does bring to the table: a problematic but imaginative adventure with some cool ideas on display.