Alone in the Dark (2024) is out for quite a while now. The official release was on 20 March 2024 for PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. The launch was a bit of a thriller. Eden Games was working on the project until its liquidation by Atari in 2013. Then, the franchise was sold to THQ Nordic, responsible for publishing the 2024 reimagining of the original 1992 Alone in the Dark. So, it has a pretty messy background. The cast and the set of the game are promising, as well. Recruiting David Harbour (Stranger Things) as Edward Carnby and Jody Comer as Emily Hartwood seems a wise choice for the deal. But is that adequate to rule out the nostalgia of the original title, named the “father of Survival Horror genre”? Well, the answer is not so simple.
I was honored to meet Alone in the Dark series through “The New Nightmare.” I have to admit that I enjoyed it. Thanks to retro emulation, I had the chance to play the original games and other series titles on their respective platforms. I can’t say that meets my “Survival Horror” criteria. Competing with my favorite Silent Hill and Resident Evil titles is not easy. But the overall experience was positive. So, when I learned about the release, I was overwhelmed to enter the darkness. A reimagining of the pure original game that started it all? Dark bless us all. The marketing campaign was almost zero to nothing and felt like a speck of dirt in the genre’s temple, though. I mean, what the heck, THQ Nordic? What went wrong?
Let’s overlook this unfortunate fact because the gaming experience matters the most. In this aspect, I have mixed positive feelings. It was not a bad game, but it could have been much better—much, much better. The graphics are adequate, but it can’t compete with the genre’s top players. It feels more like a stylized PS3 title and nothing more. Although the graphics are unimportant to me, I think they should have been better. They’re not bad, but nothing game-changing, either.
The atmosphere, creatures, and characters are on the spot. The plot is subtle, and the whole puzzle (could have been better, though) and combat are well-built to keep you busy. I have to admit that narration and third-party reading of scripts and important files were a bit annoying, though. I think they were unnecessarily bloated. Moreover, the gameplay wasn’t trouble-free.
Some stuttering and sound cues were present when I played the game. I hope future updates will resolve these potent issues, but it is not the first or even the last game on Earth that suffers from any problems. Almost every game out there has flaws. I enjoyed the acting of David Harbour. The role fits him well. The same goes for Jody Comer. The script is like it is written on them. Along with the atmospheric music are the strong cards of the game. I have to mention that you can play either the private detective Edward Carnby or the Lovecraftious daughter Emily Hartwood. Both scenarios are tightly bonded, and you must rule them all for the whole gaming experience. Actually, you ought to.
So, is Alone in the Dark worth your time? As I already mentioned, things are not so simple. It is not a game-changing tribute to the original, but it won’t disappoint you. For what it is worth is a well-built game with flaws that hold it back. It is worth your attention if you are a fan of the original. If you are a Survival Horror member, you have to join the cult of the mansion. For the average gamer, I have to be moderate. You will either like it or not. It won’t be a first-class life experience, but you won’t be disappointed either. The faith of the haunting mansion is in your hands. Either way, the choice is yours.
