Alone in the Dark 2

About

In "Alone in the Dark 2," you play as private investigator Edward Carnby, who must rescue a kidnapped girl from the dangerous leader of a gang of bootleggers, One Eyed Jack. The rescue mission takes place in a huge California mansion filled with perilous traps and enemies. To survive, players must navigate through the dark environment, acquiring weapons like a 38 Special and a machine gun to defeat enemies and progress through the story. Good luck - you'll need it, as you're on your own in this terrifying adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 43 reviews

graphics4 positive mentions

story4 negative mentions

The game features improved controls and smoother gameplay compared to the first installment.
The puzzles are challenging and add a strategic element to the gameplay, especially during segments with the character Grace.
Despite its flaws, the game still offers an enjoyable experience for fans of the original, with some fun combat sequences and decent graphics.

The game significantly shifts from horror to action, losing the creepy atmosphere that defined the first game.
Combat is overly emphasized, leading to frustrating encounters with damage sponge enemies and clunky mechanics.
The story is convoluted and lacks the depth and connection to the original game's setting, making it feel less engaging.

story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
56%
25%
The story in the game has been described as a departure from the original, leaning more towards a swashbuckling adventure rather than the Lovecraftian horror fans expected. Many reviewers found it convoluted and lacking depth, with excessive combat overshadowing the narrative, resulting in a series of info dumps rather than a cohesive plot. While some appreciated the quirky elements and visuals, overall, the story was deemed less engaging and more chaotic compared to its predecessor.
- “The story is more of a swashbuckling adventure instead of Lovecraftian horror, and the combat will really wear on you sometimes, but it’s still a charming and enjoyable game.”
- “A really weird but decent story; though the horror is de-emphasized, the puzzles are pretty fun, the art is cooler than the first one, and there are quite a few fun combat sequences.”
- “Alone in the Dark 2 is a pretty good sequel. It has its problems, but all in all, it's a good game, and it’s time for the story.”
- “Convoluted story (in a bad way), too much fighting and lack of horror element.”
- “Even story-wise this is more lacking than the original; the few moments of story are just info dumps and very little lore is available to back up the plot unlike the first entry.”
- “I'd say the story was mostly all over the place.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The atmosphere in "Alone in the Dark 2" is widely regarded as a significant downgrade from its predecessor, with many reviewers noting the loss of the original's creepy tension and horror elements. The game shifts its focus towards combat, resulting in a more action-oriented experience that sacrifices the atmospheric depth and immersive qualities that defined the first installment. While there are still some intriguing environments to explore, the overall ambiance is described as lacking, with a confusing soundtrack and linear progression detracting from the intended eerie experience.
- “Great atmosphere, amazing graphics for the time, the sounds and music so creepy that it actually gives me chills to this day.”
- “However, for players seeking the atmospheric and horror elements that defined the original game, it may not be the ideal choice.”
- “But gone is the truly creepy atmosphere of the manor of the first game.”
- “While there's still a mansion, underground caverns, and now a hedge maze to explore, some of the atmosphere has been lost.”
- “The atmosphere of the original isn't really there, and instead the game seems to put much greater emphasis on combat -- specifically, gun-related combat.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The gameplay in this sequel marks a significant shift, emphasizing combat over the previous protagonist's brute force approach, which may appeal to franchise fans. However, many players criticize the execution, citing numerous bugs, crashes, and a cumbersome experience due to outdated mechanics and a lack of engaging puzzle elements. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a departure from the core system, leading to a frustrating experience for many.
- “This sequel brings a significant change in gameplay focus.”
- “Her gameplay is quite different from Edward's, since the latter tends to rely on brute force and physical combat.”
- “Players who want to experience all games in the franchise or those who don't mind the shift towards combat-focused gameplay might enjoy the game.”
- “Alone in the Dark 2 is a terrible sequel and, while very much a product of its time that it's easy to be forgiving towards due to its age, remains a complete trainwreck to play, rife with terrible gameplay, bugs, and crashes.”
- “As the game takes place over many screens, this is going to clearly be a slog for anyone who isn't an expert in its janky mechanics.”
- “This game focuses on the wrong aspects that don't fit the core gameplay system.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
The graphics in "Alone in the Dark 2" have received mixed reviews; while some players feel it is a downgrade from the first game, others appreciate the improved background graphics and nostalgic retro vibe. Overall, the visuals are noted for creating a great atmosphere, with some praising the animations and sound design that enhance the creepy experience.
- “The visuals are very nostalgic, great retro vibe.”
- “The one place I'll say the developers did pretty well is the graphics.”
- “Great atmosphere, amazing graphics for the time, the sounds and music so creepy that it actually gives me chills to this day.”
- “Alone in the Dark 2 is a downgrade and less fun than the first game, and despite coming out about 2 years after the first one, the graphics look worse.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is generally regarded as a strong point, with some reviewers noting it as a standout feature compared to other aspects, despite the overall atmosphere being lacking. While it may not reach the heights of the original game, it still contributes positively to the experience, with some tracks described as creepy and memorable.
- “Great atmosphere, amazing graphics for the time, the sounds and music so creepy that it actually gives me chills till this day.”
- “The music was good, and some of the puzzles were okay.”
- “Almost entirely lacking in atmosphere, a constant medley of seemingly random music files clanging away in the background, confusingly linear progression compared to the original, solid but unremarkable painted backgrounds (but with some lovely animated elements), screamingly idiotic puzzles that test your will to live... actual softlocks which could cause you to need to restart the entire game?”
- “Worse in every aspect compared to the first one (maybe except music).”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with players reporting numerous glitches, broken hit boxes, and combat animations that hinder gameplay. These issues can lead to frustrating experiences, including crashes and dead ends during encounters. Overall, the game's stability is a significant concern for users.
- “Fighting one enemy even at full health can be a nightmare due to broken hit boxes, broken weapons, terrible combat animations, and glitches/crashes.”
- “It's full of glitches too!”
- “Glitches that can put you into a dead end.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious due to the prevalence of gun-wielding enemies, which can make combat feel repetitive and drawn-out.
- “A lot of enemies have guns, leading to tedious combat.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I find myself doing the same tasks over and over just to level up, which is frustrating.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is noted to be lighter and more playful compared to its predecessor, emphasizing an adventurous tone rather than a survival horror atmosphere.
- “More of an adventure game than survival horror, and it has a lighter and more humorous tone than the previous game.”