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Alone in the Dark

Alone in the Dark Game Cover
37%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, optimization
36% User Score Based on 568 reviews
Critic Score 40%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

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Alone in the Dark Game Cover

About

Alone in the Dark is a single player survival shooter game with horror and mystery themes. It was developed by Hydravision Entertainment and was released on October 29, 2013. It received negative reviews from both critics and players.

"Alone in the Dark: Illumination" is a survival horror game where players explore a haunted plantation while fighting nightmarish creatures. The game features a unique dynamic lighting system that affects gameplay, and players can team up in online co-op mode. The game's story is based on the original "Alone in the Dark" series, with a new twist on the classic characters and mythology.

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Alone in the Dark screenshot
Alone in the Dark screenshot
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Alone in the Dark screenshot
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36%
Audience ScoreBased on 568 reviews
story41 positive mentions
stability52 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique inventory system where items are stored in the character's jacket, adding a layer of realism.
  • The physics-based puzzles and fire mechanics are innovative and provide interesting gameplay opportunities.
  • The atmosphere and soundtrack are well-crafted, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
  • The controls are clunky and unresponsive, making gameplay frustrating and difficult.
  • The game frequently crashes, especially when trying to access display settings, rendering it nearly unplayable on modern systems.
  • The story is convoluted and lacks character development, making it hard for players to engage with the narrative.
  • story
    146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Alone in the Dark" (2008) is set in New York City and follows an investigator named Edward who suffers from amnesia, presenting a mix of intriguing themes and horror elements. However, many players find the execution lacking, with a confusing plot, clichéd dialogue, and poor character development overshadowing the potential of the narrative. While some appreciate the episodic structure and atmospheric elements, the overall consensus is that the story is marred by janky mechanics and unpolished design, leading to a frustrating experience.

    • “The episodic structure, reminiscent of a TV series, creates a unique pacing that blends exploration, combat, and storytelling.”
    • “The story offers intriguing themes, mixing occult mysteries with modern apocalyptic horror.”
    • “Brilliant events and a gripping story that keeps building up to a whole new level every time as you progress and keeps you wanting even more.”
    • “The story is dumb.”
    • “The story didn't seem too bad from the start but it just didn't keep me interested at all.”
    • “The story is broken, the controls are clunky, and the characters are bland.”
  • gameplay
    138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of unique and ambitious mechanics that often fall short in execution, leading to frustrating experiences due to clunky controls, unresponsive character movements, and poorly designed puzzles. While some players appreciate the innovative ideas, such as a realistic inventory system and environmental interactions, many criticize the overall jankiness, bugs, and lack of polish that detract from the enjoyment. Overall, the game presents an intriguing but ultimately flawed gameplay experience that may appeal to those willing to overlook its numerous issues.

    • “The amount of impressive additions and gameplay mechanics make this a game like no other, from the impressive physics simulations to the wonderfully realized fire mechanics, and much more!”
    • “The game introduces intriguing mechanics, such as a realistic inventory system and creative use of environmental interactions, which add depth to the gameplay.”
    • “It takes bold steps in gameplay design, narrative structure, and cinematic presentation, but its execution falls short in several areas.”
    • “A horror game that lacks real horror, full of janky mechanics, clunky controls (unresponsive character movements, awkward combat, poorly designed driving mechanics with some frustrating driving sections), obtuse puzzles, unpolished graphics full of glitches and low-quality textures, poor enemy AI and no real variety in enemy design, confusing plot (the story just feels very weak as everything is poorly explained; sounds interesting on paper, but the execution is poor), a lot of trial-and-error mechanics (especially when it comes to platforming, as it's not very clear where you should move next and most of the time you just die over and over again until you figure out the correct path), cheesy dialogue, and it doesn't even run properly on modern machines, it needs patches and fixes.”
    • “However, the game struggles with inconsistent controls and clunky mechanics, which often make gameplay more frustrating than engaging.”
    • “The gameplay is horrendous, many bugs, game crashes when accessing display options.”
  • graphics
    104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the impressive visuals and atmosphere for its time, particularly noting that it holds up well in 4K resolution. However, many users report significant issues, including glitches, low-quality textures, and crashes when attempting to access graphics settings, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while the graphics can be decent, they are marred by technical problems and inconsistencies, leading to a generally negative perception.

    • “The graphics look quite good and the amount of details is quite astonishing.”
    • “Running this on 4K, the graphics are still pretty good in a lot of spots and some scenes are very good-looking for the age of this game.”
    • “The graphics are great, the atmosphere, the lighting, the ambiance, gameplay, the characters and dialogues… all are featured wonderfully.”
    • “Countless bugs and glitches, inability to change resolution settings without breaking the game, incompatibility with newer, modern graphics cards, and awful physics and controls put this game in the 'avoid at all costs' bin. Do not buy this game; you'll most likely be spending hours looking for a fix before you can even begin playing it.”
    • “The graphics look absolutely horrible when you compare it to other releases at the time like Bioshock or the Tomb Raider remake.”
    • “This game is bullshit; the graphics are so bad it looks like a Nintendo game.”
  • music
    55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. Composed by Olivier Deriviere, the soundtrack features orchestral elements and unique folk-style compositions that resonate with players, often described as "god-level" and "fantastic." Despite some criticisms of the game's other aspects, the music consistently stands out as a redeeming feature, contributing significantly to the gaming experience.

    • “The voice acting and the music were done really well and captured the atmosphere.”
    • “The game boasts an amazing OST by Olivier Deriviere who also worked on the great Obscure and not as great Obscure 2's OSTs respectively.”
    • “The story is well scripted and provides many intense dramatic moments with beautifully composed soundtracks.”
    • “Music is generic, and far too 'goofy' to be as serious as the game presumably tries to be.”
    • “Or the music which tries to create suspense, but is quickly starting to annoy you, because it's nowhere close to being dynamically linked to the action on the screen.”
    • “This game seriously does not deserve the soundtrack it has.”
  • stability
    52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is severely criticized, with numerous reports of frequent crashes, glitches, and unresponsive controls that significantly detract from the overall experience. Players have noted that it struggles to run properly on modern systems, often requiring additional fixes and patches just to be playable. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," making it difficult for many to recommend without significant reservations.

    • “Seemed promising but it's so buggy and crashes every 5 seconds.”
    • “Countless bugs and glitches, inability to change resolution settings without breaking the game, incompatibility with newer, modern graphics cards, and awful physics and controls put this game in the 'avoid at all costs' bin; do not buy this game, you'll most likely be spending hours looking for a fix before you can even begin playing it.”
    • “This game is a buggy, unwieldy, unpolished, charmless mess.”
  • atmosphere
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is frequently praised for its strong voice acting, music, and immersive elements that effectively convey a haunted house setting. While some reviewers note that it lacks the depth and tension found in other horror titles, many appreciate its unique vibe and innovative features, despite acknowledging various flaws. Overall, the game is recognized for its engaging atmosphere, though opinions vary on its effectiveness in delivering genuine horror.

    • “The voice acting and the music were done really well and captured the atmosphere.”
    • “The game’s strengths lie in its atmosphere and innovation.”
    • “The graphics are great, the atmosphere, the lighting, the ambiance, gameplay, the characters and dialogues… all are featured wonderfully.”
    • “It lacks the abstract dark atmosphere of other horror games like Silent Hill, Darkwood, Pathologic, Shadowman, or Resident Evil... it just feels like a cheesy Hollywood action film.”
    • “It's not scary, or frantic, as it doesn't do jumpscares or ramp up the atmosphere to stretch your nerves to breaking point.”
    • “A horror game with no real scares or atmosphere?”
  • optimization
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game is severely lacking, with numerous performance issues including stuttering, low frame rates, and crashes, particularly on PC. Many users report that even with modern hardware, the game struggles to run smoothly, making it frustrating to play. Overall, the game's technical shortcomings significantly detract from the experience, leading to widespread disappointment among players.

    • “You can't access the display menu without crashing the game, and it's a bit finicky to make an Xbox controller work. But once it does, and if you accept the fact that the resolution will be a bit low, then it runs smoothly from there.”
    • “Performance issues arise when new locations are loading. I have 16 GB RAM, a Ryzen 5 3600, a 1660 Super, and an SSD, which should be more than enough for a 2008 game, but it isn't.”
    • “Performance was questionable in 2008, and if you get it to run well even on modern hardware, then it's like winning the lottery.”
    • “There are bugs that will drive you mad, optimization is practically nonexistent, and the controls... they’ve aged terribly.”
    • “Performance issues when new locations are loading (my god, I have 16 GB RAM, Ryzen 5 3600, 1660 Super, and SSD, which should be more than enough for the 2008 game).”
    • “It is also ridiculously badly optimized for PC and suffers from many technical issues.”
  • humor
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity and unintentional comedy, stemming from poorly written dialogue, bizarre design choices, and numerous glitches that often lead to laugh-out-loud moments. While the gameplay may be frustrating and riddled with issues, players find enjoyment in the game's chaotic nature and the hilarity of its incompetence, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate a good laugh at its expense. Overall, the game is seen as a "so bad it's good" title that can provide entertainment, especially in a group setting.

    • “But at the same time, this is one of those rare games, one of those incredible gifts, that manages to be wildly entertaining and honestly pretty frickin' gnarly and rad at the same time that it's a rough ride - not to mention hilarious.”
    • “Horribly written, horribly voiced, makes for a perfect time when you are together in a room with a whiny NPC and you find a melee weapon on the ground and whack them for ten minutes laughing your ass off at their responses.”
    • “It's a perfect storm of completely insane design decisions (tank controls in a game from 2008, mind-boggling control scheme, 'press X to blink' mechanic (???), among others) that combine into a sort of weird fever dream of impressive stupidity that made me laugh almost the entire time I was playing.”
  • grinding
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized for being tedious and unfulfilling, with players expressing frustration over excessive padding in the final chapters and a lack of rewarding gameplay. Many found the combat and puzzle-solving to be monotonous, compounded by technical issues such as bugs and poor controls that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the grinding elements contribute to a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction, leading some players to abandon the game altogether.

    • “The last two chapters are 80% tedious padding to make the game's runtime longer than the 4-5 hours it otherwise would be, slowly and tediously traversing across the entire level to burn some roots so you can make a number go up.”
    • “The game's final act involves an open-world collectathon so tedious, overlong, and unrewarding that I very nearly put the game down right then and there.”
    • “Keyboard controls are beyond tedious, and lead to countless fall deaths, etc. and the game does not support controllers.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews highlight a mixed emotional experience, with some players feeling a lack of investment in human characters, while others find the story simple yet deeply touching. The game evokes strong emotions, with moments that can lead to tears, contrasting with feelings of guilt in certain gameplay scenarios.

    • “Story simple but touching, truly an adventure.”
    • “From the first minute of moving my character, I cried a thousand tears.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that the game suffers from insufficient character development, with a disjointed narrative that fails to provide depth or growth for the characters. While some players found enjoyment in the overall experience, the lack of storytelling and character progression was a notable drawback.

    • “But it jumps from plot point to plot point, lacking any character development and the storytelling is poor.”
    • “The characters feel one-dimensional and their growth throughout the game is almost non-existent.”
    • “I was disappointed by how little the characters evolved; their arcs were predictable and uninspired.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing multiple paths, varied character choices, and dynamic environments that encourage exploration and experimentation. Many appreciate the inclusion of different difficulty levels and unlockable content, which further enhances the incentive to replay. Overall, players feel that the game offers enough diversity to keep them engaged for multiple playthroughs.

    • “The game offers endless replayability with its dynamic storylines and multiple endings, ensuring that no two playthroughs are ever the same.”
    • “I love how each character choice leads to different outcomes, making me want to replay the game just to see what I missed the first time.”
    • “With a variety of challenges and side quests that change every time you play, this game keeps me coming back for more.”
    • “Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
    • “After finishing the main storyline, I found no compelling reason to explore the game further.”
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Frequently Asked Questions

Alone in the Dark is a survival shooter game with horror and mystery themes.

Alone in the Dark is available on PC, Windows, Xbox 360 and Xbox.

Alone in the Dark was released on October 29, 2013.

Alone in the Dark was developed by Hydravision Entertainment.

Alone in the Dark has received negative reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Alone in the Dark is a single player game.

Similar games include Silent Hill: Homecoming, Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, Hitman: Codename 47, Resident Evil 6 and others.