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.
