Alone in the Dark

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 131 reviews

graphics7 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

A classic game that laid the groundwork for the survival horror genre, showcasing a unique and eerie story with engaging characters.
Despite its dated graphics and clunky controls, the game offers a nostalgic charm and a fun, spooky atmosphere that captivates players.
The puzzles, while occasionally cryptic, are enjoyable and the game's layout allows for exploration and memorization of the manor.

The controls are clunky and can be frustrating, requiring time to get used to, which may deter modern players.
Some puzzles can be overly cryptic, leading to confusion and reliance on guides, which can detract from the experience.
The game lacks quality of life features, such as a proper inventory management system, which can lead to frustrating gameplay moments.

graphics
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
58%
19%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its age since its release in 1992, yet they retain a nostalgic charm that appeals to fans of classic gaming. While the visuals may not meet modern standards, they were groundbreaking for their time and contribute to the game's eerie atmosphere. Players who appreciate retro aesthetics and can overlook the clunky controls often find the graphics add to the overall experience, enhancing the game's spooky and mysterious journey.
- “While the graphics look dated now, they were groundbreaking then and added to the scary atmosphere.”
- “The art style is very cool and unique, so if you can get past the polygons and pixels, you will surely enjoy the visual presentation!”
- “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.”
- “The graphics are very old, so don't expect much, and the sound effects are also what was doable at that time.”
- “The graphics haven't stood up well to time but the gameplay certainly has.”
story
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
53%
11%
The game's story is a unique blend of Lovecraftian themes and eerie atmosphere, featuring fun characters and compelling narrative elements, though it can be confusing and is conveyed primarily through optional texts. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and atmosphere, others criticize its dated execution and technical limitations. Overall, the story is seen as a memorable aspect that enhances the gameplay experience, despite its flaws.
- “Despite its technical limitations, the game’s compelling story and innovative mechanics continue to make it a memorable experience for those willing to look past its antiquated exterior.”
- “The story is interesting and it directly takes from the Cthulhu mythos, which is really cool!”
- “This game is a lot of fun, the controls do have a learning curve and you'll die a lot at the beginning, but the story is excellent and the mood of the game is really creepy.”
- “The story is heavily inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, but it's mostly all over the place.”
- “It's a very dated joyride spectacle with a simple story based on Lovecraft's lore.”
- “Voice acting is terrible since the game is so dated, but it does help with the story narrative and the backstory of the game.”
gameplay
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
78%
11%
The gameplay of this title is characterized by classic survival horror mechanics, including resource management, puzzle-solving, and fixed camera angles, which have become foundational to the genre. While the controls and overall mechanics may feel outdated and cumbersome by modern standards, the game retains a nostalgic charm for those familiar with early 3D games. Despite its technical limitations, it offers a memorable experience, particularly for fans of Lovecraftian themes and vintage gameplay.
- “Despite its technical limitations, the game’s compelling story and innovative mechanics continue to make it a memorable experience for those willing to look past its antiquated exterior.”
- “Gameplay involves resource management, puzzle-solving, and overcoming tense encounters.”
- “It indeed is a grandfather for survival horror gameplay mechanic rules.”
- “But nowadays, game mechanics and puzzles have evolved so far beyond what this game brings.”
- “From a modern gameplay standpoint, it's broken and illogical in many places - the control system is unreliable (try triggering the 'run' action) and byzantine ('pushing' a particular object requires two levels of menus and finding the right button combination in-world), the clues are obscure and the traps are unheralded (and frequently immediately deadly).”
- “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).”
atmosphere
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
29%
13%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and haunting qualities, enhanced by a nostalgic soundtrack and charming graphics that, while dated, contribute to its overall charm. Players appreciate the suspenseful design choices, such as infrequent combat and well-crafted environments, which create a mysterious and immersive experience. Despite some criticisms regarding outdated elements, the game successfully evokes a strong sense of atmosphere that resonates with fans of the survival horror genre.
- “As one of the pioneering survival horror games, it set the stage for the genre with its eerie atmosphere, haunting soundtrack, and intriguing puzzles.”
- “There's a wonderful atmosphere here, and I was surprised that I actually got spooked a couple of times!”
- “Great atmosphere, amazing graphics for the time, the sounds and music so creepy that it actually gives me chills to this day.”
- “While the graphics look dated now, they were groundbreaking then and added to the scary atmosphere.”
- “The game has a decent atmosphere with solid music, but that's about the only praise I can give.”
- “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
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The music in this game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric quality and chilling sound effects that enhance the overall experience. While some players prefer the original DOS version's soundtrack, the CD version offers improved audio quality and a well-crafted score that contributes to the game's eerie ambiance. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point, adding charm and depth to the gameplay.
- “As one of the pioneering survival horror games, it set the stage for the genre with its eerie atmosphere, haunting soundtrack, and intriguing puzzles.”
- “I loved the puzzles and the files/books, the music and atmosphere are very good, and the fact that it is so old and shabby gives the whole game a lot of charm.”
- “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 version and 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?”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky visual elements, such as characters with exaggerated features like googly eyes and clown lips, which elicit laughter. Additionally, the absurdity of gameplay mechanics, like needing to escape through the same door to re-enter the mansion, adds to the comedic experience.
- “Lol, the woman looks funny with the googly eyes and the 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.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers highlight that character designs are a standout feature, suggesting that the visual representation of characters significantly enhances their appeal and overall development within the game.
- “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.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic amount of effort, akin to needing a second life to fully engage with it.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “Grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews highlight the effective optimization of the game's writing and mansion layout, credited to Hubert Chardot and Franck Manzetti, which enhances the overall experience. The engaging performances further contribute to the immersive quality of the game.

60%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

Buy Alone in the Dark

Videos

Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth Image

This game contains adult content

67%3kreviews

Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth

2009

Survival Shooter

59%1.5kreviews

Tomb Raider VI: The Angel of Darkness

2012

Action Adventure

This game contains adult content

75%20.5kreviews

The Evil Within

2014

Survival Shooter

+10

This game contains adult content

89%22.4kreviews

Dead Space

2009

Survival Shooter

+14

Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness Image

59%591reviews

Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness

2012

Shooter

This game contains adult content

66%21.7kreviews

Resident Evil 6

2013

Survival Shooter

+10

This game contains adult content

49%757reviews

Silent Hill: Homecoming

2008

Survival Puzzle

Thief

Action

This game contains adult content

61%1.5kreviews

Daymare: 1998

2020

Survival Action Adventure

67%3.6kreviews

Hitman: Codename 47

2007

Action

Alone in the Dark

Platforms

About

Alone in the Dark

Alone in the Dark

Buy Alone in the Dark

Alone in the Dark 1

Videos

Games Like Alone in the Dark

Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth

Tomb Raider VI: The Angel of Darkness

The Evil Within

Dead Space

Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness

Resident Evil 6

Silent Hill: Homecoming

Thief

Thief

Daymare: 1998

Hitman: Codename 47