Alone in the Dark pays homage to a horror classic by rewriting it in a way that is both familiar and completely new. Alone in the Dark is ideal for both original players and beginners to the series, thanks to its modernized gameplay, gorgeous graphics, and true yet enlarged rendition of the famous plot.
The third-person adventure, while completely rewritten, maintains the original’s balance of combat, exposition, and puzzle-solving. It tells a compelling, constantly surprising cosmic-horror story, aided greatly by convincing performances from David Harbour’s stoic fast-talker Edward and Jodie Comer’s alternately terrified and exasperated Emily.
Playing as Edward or Emily provides you with two very separate playthroughs to experience, since their paths diverge, but the mechanisms and systems clearly have the same issues, regardless of which character you choose.
The major attraction is the famed Derceto Manor, which features extraordinary, bizarre puzzles that you would never meet in real life, progressively uncovering its rooms and mysteries as you go. You’ll try to solve these brain puzzles by cross-referencing data and items, matching keys to locked doors, and accurately arranging concrete slabs to form a picture.
Most of the time, you can freely wander the mansion, returning to find optional collectibles and things after solving a problem or discovering a new key. The game features a map that expands as you discover its mysteries. When a room has been completely cleaned of its inventory, it will be marked accordingly. Puzzles function similarly: once you have all the parts required to solve them, they will be highlighted green on your map.
For the great bulk of the title’s six-hour campaign, you’ll be searching Derceto Manor alone. There are a few moments when Emily and Edward meet and share their results, but the protagonist you do not choose to play is only shown briefly in the opening and ending. While it may appear like playing as the other major character involves whole distinct objectives, challenges, and locales, this is not the case.
Alone in the Dark creates a terrifying tapestry of psychological horror and Southern Gothic charm, reinventing the legendary game that established the genre’s standard. The eyes that watch from the darkness grow hungrier as you get closer to solving Derceto’s mystery.
Aside from these tiny quibbles, Alone in the Dark is a tremendous triumph, not a cynical attempt to cash in on a reasonably recognizable brand name, but one created with intellect and a genuine love for the series. This is a new plot, but the respect and admiration for the original are evident at every turn. Because that original happens to be the grandfather of survival horror, Alone in the Dark is a must-play for every fan of the genre.
ALONE IN THE DARK (PS5)
System: Playstation 5
Also Available, PC, Xbox Series X|S, Wii
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Developer: Pieces Interactive
Genre: Action, Adventure
Players: 1
