Madness Returns is a good game, just not a good sequel to the original.
Graphics - 10/10
The graphics and environments in this game are absolutely beautiful. I'll give it that. The details, the colors, everything. It was brilliant, and it was just amazing to run through the different levels in the game just to look at the level designs.
Characters - 6/10
It's great to see many of the original characters back, but their personalities were changed too much for my liking. If you haven't played the original Alice, this won't be an issue, but otherwise, the characters aren't just as you remember that, and that was very disappointing to me. Overall, that aside, the characters are good, just not the same as they were.
Plot - 6/10
I need to split this up.
The story in MR is that Alice is still battling her guilt and insanity after the death of her parents in a house fire, and she returns to Wonderland again only to find out there's a train that's wrecking everything.
The story is good, yes. It's interesting and worth hearing.
But it changes the entire story of the original Alice. In the first, the fire was an accident. In this one, it turns into a murder mystery which I personally found to be a bit too much. So, on its own, it is good. But compared to the first, it's not.
Gameplay - 7/10
It starts off like fun for about the first half. And then, it becomes boring and dull. It gets too repetitive really quick, from the fighting to the puzzles. You do the same thing in each level, and while it's fun at first, it doesn't last.
Voice Acting - 8/10
Most characters' voices are done very well.
Music - 8/10
It's a beautiful soundtrack, and the music is just amazing.
Replay value? Other than trophies, there isn't much else to do after.