Alone in the Dark

But! The biggest problem with Alone in the Dark is that we haven't actually played it yet. And though that nagging sensation that you really, really want to get some hands-on time with a game is always a good indication of quality, that final hurdle - of cohesive, intuitive control and rewarding 'feel' - is where many promising games fall like lead weights.

So niggling doubts wriggle around in our critical faculties. Like: All shooting is in first-person, but will the FPS view be responsive enough? Or: The fun-with-fire action looks great, and the scenarios that develop (as you're surrounded by all-consuming flames) excite us, but will it feel good? Crucially, will it work?

There's lots of suggestions that the developer (of the next-gen versions at least) is as committed to the smaller details as to the overarching game appeal. Lines of terrified rats scurry through the early environments as New York city is torn apart by Alone in the Dark's central malevolent force. And then there's the beauty of the fire. Again.

Throughout all the demo action we saw, though - from the heart-in-mouth helicopter crash, to the taxi escape race or the dose of semi-free roaming around Central Park - we just wanted to play the damn thing, and resolve our worries. Fortunately, it'll only be a matter of weeks until we get proper hands-on experience.

But until then, Alone in the Dark will continue to tease us with its elusive, exciting potential,leaving us with nervous gameplay doubts. Cross your fingers, readers, and pray that the next time you hear from us, the news is all good for Alone in the Dark.