Review
Played on: Xbox Series X
Released: 2024
Although Resident Evil is regarded as the release that massively popularised the term "survival horror", it lent lots of inspiration and ideas from the true inventor of the genre. That title was Alone in the Dark, released on PC in 1992 and on the 3DO console in 1993.
It pioneered the usage of pre-rendered backgrounds with 3D characters onscreen, as well as using the infamous tank controls in combination with camera angles. Even the famous scene of dogs smashing through the windows in RE, is lifted straight from AitD.
Sadly, no more ports were made to other consoles of the first game. However, it received two sequels, in 1993 and 1994 respectively, utilising the same game engine and tank controls. However, these sequels deviated from the horror mansion theme and by the time Resident Evil released in 1996, the trilogy was vastly dated. The franchise has since then been attempted revived, with various results and lukewarm reception.
This year saw yet another attempt at bringing back the series. A remake of the first game was scrapped during development and the result is a re-imagination of that title instead. So, while it's not a direct remake, it bases itself a lot upon the original 1992 title. Sadly, sales during this year were not satisfactory and the development team has been shut down.
I've always been intrigued by this title as I absolutely love the first RE from 1996 and read it drastically changed during development because of AitD releasing. As such, this re-imagination became something I needed to play!
Let's take a look at this scary mansion title!
Firstly, there was a playable demo released last year, called Grace in the Dark, prior to its release. It's kind of a cool, albeit small, preview to the main game. With its own little standalone story! I recommend giving it a download, as it takes place at the mansion prior to when the main protagonists from the full game arrive.
The main game refreshingly focuses mainly on exploration and puzzles, with enemy counts kept small. Think of it was how the first Resident Evil was, where combat wasn’t the main focus. It helps the player appreciate the environments and focus about the exploring, resulting in a less action focused and calmer experience. It's about the atmosphere rather than being directly scary, although there are multiple jump scares throughout!
I appreciate the subtle beginnings to the story too, everyone acting quite casual at the mansion. Not really worrying about what's going on and the arrival of the main characters. There's this creepy feeling everything not quite seeming as it appears!
To my surprise there are points in the game where you're transported in dreams to various locations altogether. Often to typical swampland, Louisiana styled areas. These help the variation, allowing the setting to move away from the mansion. They offer a different atmosphere too. Some are really unexpected locations like a cathedral and an Egyptian tomb!
Then mansion itself is gradually unlocked, where puzzles and keys allow you to reach further into the building. Giving access to anything from massive halls to a choice of rooms. Unlike Resident Evil, you meet other characters a little more often, going about their own casual life. Emphasising that they might not be experiencing the same as the player!
Exploring to unlock more of the mansion is the essential part of the experience, with some puzzles being quite tricky to solve. Although there's not a ton of interactivity in the environments, there's hidden items like healing and ammo, as well as lore elements, if you look closely. Remember to scavenge that ammo, as enemy engagements quickly burn up bullets!
Combat works well without any major standouts, there's a serviceable third person shooter and melee feel. Albeit a bit on the slow side, but so are the enemies. There’s a small selection of firearms and a limit to how much ammo and healing you can carry.
In addition, items like pipes, axes and even boat ores to pick up and hit enemies with. These items will break with usage but can be easily replaced. There’s also throwable items like bottles and stones, which you can slow down enemies with.
Enemies suit the visual style and are quite creepy, but they're limited when it comes to attack patterns and their overall visual design. Again, the focus on action here is much lower than a typical Resident Evil, but I'd like to see a little more effort put into enemy variation and challenge.
Enemies suit the visual style and are quite creepy, but they're limited when it comes to attack patterns and their overall visual design. Again, the focus on action here is much lower than a typical Resident Evil, but I'd like to see a little more effort put into enemy variation and challenge.
I’m happy with the visuals, especially the design of the mansion. It looks great and has some imaginative rooms and lovely interiors. While it’s not quite up there with let's Resident Evil 8’s massive budget of visuals, detail and animation, it does wonderful job at capturing an atmospheric mansion. There’s a unique art style with the focus on the 1920’s setting. The mood of the mansion changes from daytime to nighttime too, with an overall focus on a softer, natural look and warm colours.
I appreciate the addition of a 60fps performance mode, the preferable way to play as both performance and visual modes have this soft visual appearance anyhow. It's clearly a game engine best suited for the indoors environments, as some of the outdoors ones feel a little barren and simple.
Music suits the atmosphere and voice overs are well done. I played the male protagonist, private investigator Edward, voiced by "Stranger Things" fame, David Harbour. While female lead, Emily, is voiced by Jodie Comer from movies like "Free Guy". Both bring personality to their characters, as there's quite a bit of inner chatter when exploring around the mansion. I only played as Edward, but choosing Emily will result in other lines as you explore.
I'm grateful to have experienced the essence of what the first Alone in the Dark game was all about. There's a solid presentation and idea to discover here, while it might not take any super creative or unexpected turns, it delivers what I sought after: a lower action filled exploration of an intriguing mansion combined with horror elements. It doesn't step too deep into tons of enemy battles and super dark horror either.
An enjoyable playthrough which I recommend for those looking for a more relaxed horror game with focus on atmosphere and a slow but steady plot development. Reminding me of what the first Resident Evil was all about.
It falls a little short on gameplay depth, combat is fine but not too exciting, and lacks a truly satisfying end to the story, fading off on a slightly quiet note. Jump in if the setting and atmosphere seems intriguing though, there's an enjoyable mansion experience to be had!
