A game that has all the components of making a fantastic title, that just doesn't know how to employ them properly.
Action Sequences Are AWESOME
Likable Protagonist
Cool Enemies
Interesting Story
Amazing Score
Combining elements with weapons is really fun
Some Satisfying Sequences
All the components of a Grade A title are in there
Cons:
Story is Rushed and Confusing
Questionable Physics
Clunky Combat and Movement
Camera Transition Gets Annoying
Voice-Acting is Sub-Par
Cheap Deaths
More spit and polish would have made those Grade A components work better together.
Yes people it is time for another review!!!! (Yay me) Let's get this rolling, since I plan on watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail right after this review.....I have never watched it before and all my friends tell me it's one of the funniest movies period.
So this time I am reviewing the title of Alone In The Dark (I don't really care about or for the subtitle...so let's pretend it doesn't exist).
You play Edward Carnby, a man who mysteriously wakes up in a building being torn apart by mysterious creatures. It is very mysterious on how mysterious the mysteriousness of the mystery............haha ok I kinda over did that.....but you get the idea...........this game was meant to be mysterious to the the audience.
Edward Carnby has amnesia and can't figure out who he is, why he is where he is, or what the hell is going on. See, it's basically a survive all hell while trying to figure out who you are in the process.......sounds pretty familiar doesn't it?
Ok ok, so maybe the game wasn't meant to blow our minds with originality of story, but what it does to original is the use of certain findable elements, such as tape, gasoline, and insect spray, along side your current weapons to make them stronger. And the way the game has you using them, is also pretty kick ass. While it's mostly just for fighting enemies and solving puzzles, it really never gets old in this game. Along side some awesome action sequences and cool enemies to fight along the way, it does a pretty good job with itself.
At least, for some parts it does. Unfortunately, the game just doesn't seem to know how to use all those awesome elements together correctly. Enemies and puzzles are too often far apart from one another and make for some sadly boring exploration periods in the game. You think exploring a slowly decaying Central Park would be awesome right? Well, the car driving just doesn't work too well at all, which means you could walk there ( well sometimes it's actually required to drive places and not walk....so your sort of screwed there). Speaking of which, walking kind of sucks too. First person feels clunky, and third person shows noticeable camera and environmental problems. Gah, is there anyway to really win with movement in this game!!!!!!!?????? Eeeeehhhh....not really.
Oh and the camera!!!! Moving between 1st and 3rd person frequently??? Not a good idea. It's often times required to switch cameras several times, which actually made me get dizzy....maybe somewhat because of atrocious movement capabilities.
And the story.....it may be interesting to follow and it may have a good idea, but it is often times too rushed and underdeveloped to make any sense of it.
Physics are also strange....bodies act like bags of socks or rag dolls or some other weird constantly shaky pile of stuff. When you drag a body, it feels like your dragging something like that....
Wait, wait, wait....ok so maybe this game has a lot of flaws to it......and I mean alot.......but I still had fun. Action is good and plentiful, combat can be fun when working properly, and elemental combination is very fun. It's not a bad title at all if you ask me, it's just a title that had a lot of holes in development.
Graphics:
For the most part, they are decent. Some noticeable drop out here and there, but other than that they are good.
Gameplay:
Both combat and movement can be clunky. I did find a sweet spot for most combat techniques, but I never found a comfortable place in moving around with the character.
Sound:
One of the best aspects of the game. I would recommend getting the CD copy of Alone in the Dark's score, because it creates a chilling tone to the already chilling atmosphere in the game; and also makes action sequences feel more intense.
Story:
Pretty simplistic. Like the idea to it.....it's a very good idea........it's just not executed very well.
Replay Value:
Low to Moderate. Once you get through the game's story, the only reason to really come back is to finish getting trophies.
Final Verdict:
Alone in the Dark is a remake that should probably get a remake. The game is so much fun and awesome at times! Action sequences and certain story moments are really cool....the game itself is just not nearly as awesome. I had beliefs that I would really like this game......I thought people were being a little too critical of the title. But, they were somewhat right. I am not going to say this is a bad title though....I had some fun with the game. If anyone ever asks what I truly thought of the game, I'd tell them I liked it....I did like it. But I do see where they have been this whole time with the flaws. Overall, it's a great title hindered by some big bugs. I think some people should play it, but just not the majority of people out there. If you want a little bit of fun in a title you can get cheap, I'm sure Alone in the Dark would be a good pick for you.
BARGAIN BIN OR RENTAL
6.0/10 or 3/5