SH2 Remake is the amazing breakthrough success that launched Bloober into the upper echelons of gaming that they are enjoying now. Before that, they were best known for walking simulator type games that were average at best with average quality writing in their stories. The SH2 Remake successfully recaptures much of the magic from the original, with Bloober also applying their own magic to add some unexpectedly welcome additions like more endings, more places to explore and additional puzzles. All the characters are well portrayed and very comparable to their original versions. The voice acting solid, though with Maria being the weakest link. The story is amazing as ever, and wonderfully recaptured from the original. The combat is very serviceable and by far the most advanced in the series and a great evolution altogether. The setting and environments are incredibly well done for exploration and immersion. Bloober did a wonderful recapturing the magic from the original SH2 into updated graphics and gameplay. Bloober successfully defied all doubts and negative expectations with the massive success of SH2 Remake. They are now on the rise as a new major player in horror gaming that they have spread their wings further starting with Cronos the New Dawn, which is a surprisingly good game itself, along with a SH1 Remake in the works, and other projects in development. Congratulations to Bloober and best of luck to their long term future.
Before SH2 Remake, Bloober was more known for their walking simulator style games like Layers of Fear 1-2, The Medium, Observer, and Blair Witch. All of which enjoyed above average receptions, and way before that, they made some very forgettable games in the early 2010s. SH2 Remake, was their mega breakthrough success and launched Bloober into the upper echelons of gaming that they are enjoying now. The remake successfully recaptures much of the magic from the original, with Bloober also applying their own magic to add some unexpectedly welcome additions. All the characters are well portrayed and very comparable to their original versions. The voice acting solid, though with Maria being the weakest link. The story is amazing as ever, and wonderfully recaptured from the original. The combat is very serviceable and by far the most advanced in the series and a great evolution altogether. The setting and environments are incredibly well done for exploration and immersion. Bloober did a wonderful recapturing the magic from the original SH2 into updated graphics and gameplay. Bloober successfully defied all doubts and negative expectations with the massive success of SH2 Remake. They are now on the rise as a new major player in horror gaming that they have spread their wings further starting with Cronos the New Dawn, which is a surprisingly good game itself, along with a SH1 Remake in the works, and other projects in development. Congratulations to Bloober and best of luck to their long term future.
SPOiLERS The game was never about feminism, anti-marriage, anti-family, and the usual men are bad crap. It's mainly about societal pressure, peer pressure, loss of trust, financial struggle, bad parenting, forced arranged marriage, losing one's own identity and freedom to make own choices, which are real world issues even today. Hinako is treated as a pariah due to being a tomboy, which was a typical thing to do in 1960s Japan. Her father used to be a kind and respectable man, but became abusive (frequently drunk and angry) after a failed business venture that saw his money get stolen by someone he trusted for years, landing the family in financial debt. Her mother being subservient and complicit to whatever her husband does just made things worse for Hinako. Then her older sister Junko, who was her main emotional support for years, ended getting married, which left Hinako betrayed and abandoned. The arranged marriage was decided to get family out of debt (because the would be husband, Kotoyuki, is rich), something Hinako does not want, due her fear of getting into a similar abusive marriage just like her mother. Then there's her "close friends", Shu the partner, is the only one who cared, but went about the wrong way by giving a medicine (which intent was to help Hinako reflect and think clearly) that just contributed to Hinako's emotional and mental breakdown. Rinko, who became very jealous because Hinako excelled in sports, and wanted Shu for herself, while Sakuko, who has special needs, felt betrayed (very similar to Hinako losing Junko's emotional support) upon finding out Hinako was getting married. Hinako endures all these elements and forces that want to change her to who she is not, which results in two sides of her clashing, one that wants to resist and freely explores other options in life, while the other just willingly give in to marriage and let go her original identity and freedom. The whole thing initially makes Hinako develop twisted views towards marriage and mistrust towards people (men and women alike). The TRUE ENDING though shows, that Hinako has overcome all these emotional and mental problems, has earned that much needed freedom and peace of mind to decide things for herself (instead anyone deciding for her), free to explore various options in life, which includes possibility of getting married (to Kotoyuki) someday. The game also shows that men are also pressured by society, family and peers as well, since Kotoyuki was also forced into the marriage (to Hinako) by his family as well. He too was also happy to be free and explore other options in life, which includes getting married to Hinako someday.
The game has a huge open world city setting, but with large sections that have nothing to interact with. I initially found this frustrating at first. However, once I realized how the case-and-address system worked, it started to make more sense. The story starts off quite slow, but is actually pretty good once it gets going. There are a couple of meaningful choices, of which one or two feel a bit forced, but overall add to the experience. The game's mechanics (combat, sixth sense, etc.) are very simple, but integrated well enough. The game is also a turning point for Frogwares in wanting to make games with action, open world setting, and horror elements, since both Sherlock Holmes Chapter One & The Awakened remake also carried elements from this game. The Sinking City is also getting a SEQUEL, which itself is a pleasant surprise, and it seems this is a series Frogwares will enjoy growing in the coming years.
Very engaging and solid game. The story, characters and 1920s setting simply draws you in along with it's Lovecraft theme. Solid investigation and exploration with clunky, but still manageable combat. The game is also a turning point for Frogwares in wanting to make games with action, open world setting, and horror elements, since both Sherlock Holmes Chapter One & The Awakened remake also carried elements from this game. The Sinking City is also getting a SEQUEL, which itself is a pleasant surprise, and it seems this is a series Frogwares will enjoy growing in the coming years.
While the 1992 original is a pioneer of survival horror games, this 2001 reboot is the first modern game in the series. The story, characters, setting and atmosphere are all on point and very engaging. The game has serious flaws though like re-spawning enemies, some very confusing & cryptic puzzles, and the boss fights were at times confusing and frustrating to handle as well due to their puzzle-like sequence. Even so, I enjoyed New Nightmare for what it is, and it was suppose to be the beginning of another trilogy, but those plans got scrapped, which is unfortunate. I feel the series would've been in far better shape had they just proceeded with the New Nightmare reboot trilogy. The 2008 game and 2015 Illumination were so bad, they virtually killed the series. So, it's an amazing miracle that Alone in the Dark 2024 got made which is now possibly the best game in the series thanks to modern gameplay & graphics, and being a faithful & respectful homage to the 1992 original.
Given how mishandled and mismanaged the Alone in the Dark series has been in it's past 30+ years of existence (especially when the 2008 game & 2015 Illumination nearly killed the series), it's a miracle a new and much better game still got made. This 2024 remake / reboot / re-imagining pays homage and is very faithful & respectful to the 1992 classic original's spirit and flavor with modern gameplay & graphics. I've finished the game 7 times (4 as Edward, 3 as Emily), and the game's story, characters, atmosphere & 1920s rural Gothic noir setting are very alluring and engaging. Not overly familiar with either David Harbour or Jodie Comer, but they played their respective protagonist roles brilliantly. Combat is no doubt inferior when compared to recent Resident Evil games, but still serviceable and enjoyable. Graphics and animation is often ridiculed as "PS3-era" quality, which I don't see as a negative given this is a "AA" game with far less budget compared to recent Resident Evil games or Alan Wake 2, and many games for the PS2 and PS3 eras still look great even now. Another criticism I find odd is the game being "too short", when majority of action or survival horror games tend to clock between 6-12 hours of story & gameplay. I spent 8 hours as Edward and just under 7 hours as Emily in most of my playthroughs. So it was time well spent. Such a pleasant surprise to see THQ Nordic revive this long forgotten franchise, especially it being the pioneer of survival horror games. The newest game does a lot of things right despite the glaring flaws, that it's provided a solid modern foundation in reviving the series going forward. I feel optimistic it will grow an audience in due time, since many gamers are always on the look out for an alternative to Resident Evil, and Alone in the Dark 2024 will deliver on that craving. It's just wonderful to see Alone in the Dark back with a great game that will serve as an ideal entry point for newcomers to the series.
