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Alone in the Dark

Alone in the Dark Game Cover
86%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
optimization, grinding
91% User Score Based on 183 reviews
Critic Score 60%Based on 1 reviews

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Alone in the Dark Game Cover

About

Alone in the Dark is a single player and multiplayer survival action adventure game with horror, fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by Infogrames and was released on December 13, 2016. It received neutral reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Alone in the Dark is a survival horror game that follows the main character, Edward Carnby, investigating a dark conspiracy in a terrifying re-creation of Central Park. The game is structured in episodes, providing a cinematic and gripping experience with each episode lasting around 30-40 minutes. Convenient video summaries are included before each episode, allowing players to quickly recall the story and jump back into the action.

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Alone in the Dark screenshot
Alone in the Dark screenshot
Alone in the Dark screenshot
Alone in the Dark screenshot
Alone in the Dark screenshot
Alone in the Dark screenshot
Alone in the Dark screenshot
Alone in the Dark screenshot
Alone in the Dark screenshot
Alone in the Dark screenshot
Alone in the Dark screenshot
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91%
Audience ScoreBased on 183 reviews
gameplay5 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • Alone in the Dark is a pioneering title in the survival horror genre, showcasing innovative gameplay mechanics that influenced future classics like Resident Evil.
  • The game features a rich Lovecraftian atmosphere, engaging lore, and a variety of puzzles that provide a rewarding experience for players willing to explore.
  • Despite its dated graphics and clunky controls, the game retains a nostalgic charm and offers a unique experience that many players still find enjoyable.
  • The controls are often frustrating and cumbersome, making combat and navigation difficult, which can lead to frequent deaths and softlocks.
  • Many puzzles are cryptic and require trial and error, often necessitating the use of a walkthrough to progress, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • The game's age is evident, with graphics and mechanics that have not aged well, making it challenging for modern players to fully appreciate without a sense of nostalgia.
  • gameplay
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this title is characterized by its classic survival horror mechanics, including fixed camera angles, inventory management, and puzzle-solving, which have influenced the genre significantly. However, many players find the gameplay to be outdated and punishing, with issues such as softlocking, obscure mechanics, and unstable performance detracting from the experience. While the atmosphere, story, and innovative elements are praised, the overall execution feels rough and may not appeal to those accustomed to modern gaming standards.

    • “The gameplay loop is incredibly solid, the atmosphere positively dripping, the writing shockingly interesting, the graphics and art direction impressive, and the soundtrack memorable and compelling.”
    • “Many of the mechanics introduced in here will become staples of survival horror to this day.”
    • “It indeed is a grandfather for survival horror gameplay mechanic rules.”
    • “While capped at 70 fps, it rarely reaches or maintains it, hovering more around 35-50, giving gameplay a jittery feeling.”
    • “The puzzles exemplify adventure game moon logic, the game does not appropriately telegraph some of its mechanics, and performance is rather unstable through DOSBox.”
    • “From a modern gameplay standpoint, it's broken and illogical in many places - the control system is unreliable and byzantine, the clues are obscure, and the traps are unheralded and frequently immediately deadly.”
  • graphics
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its age since its release in 1992, yet many players appreciate the nostalgic charm and unique art style, including hand-drawn backgrounds and low-poly character designs. While the visuals may not meet modern standards, they are often described as functional and evocative, contributing to the game's atmospheric experience. Overall, despite their limitations, the graphics are seen as a significant part of the game's historical context and appeal, especially for fans of classic survival horror.

    • “The gameplay loop is incredibly solid, the atmosphere positively dripping, the writing shockingly interesting, the graphics and art direction impressive, and the soundtrack memorable and compelling.”
    • “A true masterpiece that is enjoyable up to this day, thanks to its beautiful art style (both the hand-drawn, detailed backgrounds and the low poly characters and creatures are exquisite), its perfect pacing, its ominous atmosphere and well designed puzzles.”
    • “For a game made in 1992, it has some of the most incredible 3D graphics I've seen in a game that old; some of the mechanics in this game are things I didn't even think were possible back then!”
    • “Graphics - it is old, very old.”
    • “To be honest, this game didn't age well graphic-wise.”
    • “The graphics haven't stood up well to time but the gameplay certainly has.”
  • story
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a blend of Lovecraftian themes and survival horror elements, conveyed through notes and texts that players can choose to engage with. While some find the narrative compelling and atmospheric, others criticize it for being simple or confusing, with technical limitations affecting the overall experience. Despite mixed opinions on its execution, many agree that the story adds a unique charm to the game, making it memorable for those who appreciate narrative depth in their gameplay.

    • “A surprisingly interesting plot helps things, told in the typical survival horror style of memos and building dread.”
    • “The story is interesting and it directly takes from the Cthulhu mythos, which is really cool!”
    • “Amazing storyline and voice acting, I really enjoyed playing this. The grand-daddy of 3D horror, the atmosphere was very chilling and the sound design is absolutely beautiful.”
    • “The story is simple, with the narrative delivered through notes that brush up against Lovecraftian deities and rituals, plus its own pirates.”
    • “I'd say the story was mostly all over the place.”
    • “All that slapped onto a Lovecraftian story frame and the player is sure to be left baffled.”
  • atmosphere
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its haunting and immersive qualities, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack and detailed art direction. Reviewers highlight its ability to evoke charm and tension, with many noting its Lovecraftian influences and effective sound design that contribute to a chilling experience. Despite some dated graphics and gameplay mechanics, the overall ambiance remains impactful and engaging, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The gameplay loop is incredibly solid, the atmosphere positively dripping, the writing shockingly interesting, the graphics and art direction impressive, and the soundtrack memorable and compelling.”
    • “A true masterpiece that is enjoyable up to this day, thanks to its beautiful art style (both the hand-drawn, detailed backgrounds and the low poly characters and creatures are exquisite), its perfect pacing, its ominous atmosphere and well designed puzzles.”
    • “Great atmosphere, amazing graphics for the time, the sounds and music so creepy that it actually gives me chills till this day.”
    • “The game has a decent atmosphere with solid music, but that's about the only praise I can give.”
    • “Aitd2 failed miserably in every possible way (complete focus on action with an engine not designed for shootouts, zero atmosphere, idiotic story) and aitd3 tried to course correct everything (return of puzzles, focus on atmosphere and horror... but with an old engine and flawed gameplay at the time Resident Evil 1 was already out with more refined mechanics).”
    • “While some of the enemy designs are downright goofy and weren't even scary for the time, the mansion's atmosphere is mysterious and haunting.”
  • music
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its memorable and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many reviewers highlight the chilling soundtrack and sound effects, which contribute significantly to the eerie ambiance, while some express a preference for the original MIDI music over the CD version. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, adding depth and charm to the game.

    • “The gameplay loop is incredibly solid, the atmosphere positively dripping, the writing shockingly interesting, the graphics and art direction impressive, and the soundtrack memorable and compelling.”
    • “As one of the pioneering survival horror games, it set the stage for the genre with its eerie atmosphere, haunting soundtrack, and intriguing puzzles.”
    • “Great atmosphere, amazing graphics for the time, the sounds and music so creepy that it actually gives me chills till this day.”
    • “This release is the CD game release and so does not include the DOS version soundtrack, which I find to be much better.”
    • “The game has a decent atmosphere with solid music, but that's about the only praise I can give.”
    • “I did have to patch it though to get the original MIDI music and eliminate that horrible voice acting on the documents, what were they thinking?”
  • optimization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is notably unstable, reflecting the limitations of period hardware as emulated by DOSBox. While some mechanics feel outdated and poorly communicated, the nostalgic experience offers a glimpse into the game's origins, despite its performance issues. Overall, the writing and voice acting stand out, adding charm to the experience.

    • “Performance is, unfortunately, not very stable, with DOSBox (I think) accurately emulating how well the game runs on period hardware.”
    • “The puzzles exemplify adventure game moon logic, the game does not appropriately telegraph some of its mechanics, and performance is rather unstable through DOSBox.”
    • “All in all, you feel the age of this game and many of its systems and mechanics have been updated, optimized, and refined over the years, but it's good to go back to the roots once in a while and see where everything started.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers highlight that character designs are a standout feature, suggesting that the visual representation of characters significantly enhances their appeal and depth.

    • “The character designs are the strongest part, in my opinion.”
    • “The depth of character development really makes you feel connected to the story.”
    • “I love how each character evolves throughout the game, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its exaggerated and grotesque character designs, such as women with googly eyes and clown lips, which evoke laughter rather than fear. Players find the absurdity of needing to escape through the same door they entered into the mansion amusing, contributing to a lighthearted and comedic atmosphere. Overall, the humor is described as more hilarious than horrifying.

    • “The models look grotesque, albeit in a more hilarious than horrifying way.”
    • “Lol, the character looks funny with the googly eyes and clown lips.”
    • “It's a bit funny that the player needs to escape all the way and exit through the same door to enter the mansion.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express that the grinding aspect of the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic amount of effort, akin to needing a second life to manage it effectively.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
    • “I spent hours grinding, and it still feels like I'm nowhere.”
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60%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions

Alone in the Dark is a survival action adventure game with horror, fantasy and historical themes.

Alone in the Dark is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

Alone in the Dark was released on December 13, 2016.

Alone in the Dark was developed by Infogrames.

Alone in the Dark has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its optimization.

Alone in the Dark is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Tormented Souls, Song of Horror, Realms of the Haunting, Alisa, Tormented Souls 2 and others.