Alone in the Dark

Also known as: AitD

A next-gen impressionist that won’t be winning new faces

Alone in the Dark loves a good cliff-hanger – quite literally in the case of one helicopter crash sequence – but there’s no scenario more hair-raising than that of publishers Atari themselves. Teetering on the brink of financial disaster, they’ve put all their eggs in this gothic basket, expecting a company-rejuvenating three million sales across multiple platforms. Here’s hoping the next-gen version shifts a mighty 2,999,999, as the PS2 build is undeserving of such sales.


Above:  Wii screenshot 

With a demonic rift causing possession-based mischief in Manhattan, it seems the devil’s handiwork extends beyond the story to infect the game itself. Not content with turning Central Park’s vagrants into snarling vampires, he sets his sights on crafting one of the most platforming-unfriendly third-person cameras in recent memory. After facing the rocky finale you’ll think Indiana Jones had it easy at the end of Last Crusade. Just one leap of faith? Ha! Try eight.

Like a leather coat-sporting lemming, our hero, Edward Carnby, is forever tumbling off ledges and having to turn Tarzan on vine-like cables. Maneuvering him so his lanky body doesn’t clip against invisible debris is tough enough, but wall-running to safety is down to luck. Carnby, seemingly immune to the laws of physics, has zero momentum. When he lets go he just plummets; here’s hoping you glitch onto a ledge on the way down. Your inventory is stored within your coat pockets (maybe it’s all those ammo clips and Molotov cocktails that scupper Carnby’s rope antics?). It’s a nice enough idea – but this flasher has a nasty habit of zipping up during more frantic encounters. Not great with a demonic ‘thing’ getting up in your grill.

 
This video player requires Flash 9 Player or later. Please download the latest Flash Player.
The Knowledge
Alone in the Dark
Alone in the Dark

Genre: Adventure
Expected release date: 06/03/2008
Published by: Atari
Developed by: Hydravision Entertainment
Franchise: Alone in the Dark
5 SO-SO
Read the review
Latest Articles About This Game
A next-gen impressionist that won’t be winning new faces
PS2 Review  -  Jul 2, 2008