General Gaming Alone in the Dark ("reimagination" of the first game for PC/PS/Xbox Series starring David Harbour and Jodie Cromer | 20 March 2024) - reviews from OpenCritic posted

[ShreddieMercury]

If the consensus is "flawed but interesting", I'll for sure bite.  Like Robocop last year.

[Keyser_Soze]

40 minutes ago, ShreddieMercury said:

Wow I just found out about this, doesn't seem to be much coverage.  AA?  Jazz soundtrack?  Cosmic survival horror??  What I've read doesn't inspire much confidence, but my interest is piqued all the same.

 

The only thing to talk about is that it keeps getting delayed and embracer will probably sell the company in the near future.

[stepee]

Sounds like it’s short with terrible combat (and a lot of it) but good atmosphere and puzzles. I’ll probably wait for $30 or so for this one with everything else to play rn.

[Keyser_Soze]

Game Information

Game Title: Alone in the Dark (2024)

 

Platforms:

• PlayStation 5 (Mar 20, 2024)
• PC (Mar 20, 2024)
• Xbox Series X/S (Mar 20, 2024)

 

Publisher: THQ Nordic

 

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 62 average - 41% recommended

 

Critic Reviews

Spoiler

Thumb Culture - 5 / 5

Alone in the Dark is brilliant and ticks all the boxes for me. The setting, storyline, characters, gameplay and puzzles are fantastic. If you enjoy a mix of combat and puzzle solving with a horror vibe running through it, you certainly need to pick this game up.

GamesCreed - Jay Claassen - 4.8 / 5

Alone in the Dark is definitely turning out to be a masterpiece that needs to be experienced by new players and those looking for a blast from the past. Between the world and character design, along with the brilliant voice acting, you’re in for a hell of a ride while possibly running for your life at times.

NoobFeed - Mariella Deadman - 92 / 100

Alone In The Dark is a loving remake, as well as an epic stand-alone. Even if you have not played the original, this is well worth a play. The scares are effective, and the tense nature of the game can’t be expressed enough; you will be terrified every time Dercito changes into something more sinister. The stealth elements aren’t perfect, and some of the movement and gunplay need some tweaking, but overall, the story is amazingly told with complex characters and a stunning narrative.

Try Hard Guides - Erik Hodges - 9 / 10

Alone in the Dark pays homage to a horror classic with a strikingly familiar and yet utterly fresh retelling of a cult classic. Modernized gameplay, stunning graphics, and a faithful yet expanded retelling of the classic story make Alone in the Dark perfect for fans of the original and newcomers to the series alike.

EIP Gaming - Dylan Graves - 8.5 / 10

Alone in the Dark has such a fantastic pulp horror aesthetic that it makes up for very lackluster gameplay. Stand out performances, a clear reverence for horror, and some great writing make it work. Though it might not quite be worth the price...

Generación Xbox - Frank Montes - Spanish - 85 / 100

Alone in the Dark is a game that achieves its goal, immersing us back in the Derceto mansion and although the surprise factor that caused its first installment is not the same in this sequel, the game is true to its roots. However, thanks to technology, we can count on substantial improvements that elevate the experience.

Hobby Consolas - Daniel Quesada - Spanish - 85 / 100

Designed for those who want to enjoy a classic adventure with modern conveniences, this game will make Derceto veterans a lot of enjoyment. Don't expect heart-wrenching scares, but an experience of mystery, with gray matter, some smell of gunpowder, and Lovecraftian lore pills.

PSX Brasil - Paulo Roberto Montanaro - Portuguese - 85 / 100

Alone in the Dark may not be the most inventive game in the genre, but it's extremely competent in everything it proposes. Combat, exploration, and storytelling are excellent, with a beautiful noir setting, slipping in a few visual and rhythmic details. The original survivor horror is back, and in a big way!

COGconnected - Jaz Sagoo - 84 / 100

Alone in the Dark is an impressive reimagining that successfully revitalizes the franchise. Instead of leaning into the action elements that have become more prevalent in the genre, Pieces Interactive respects its DNA by opting to focus on the puzzle aspect of the adventure. As a result, the game carves its own niche which will lure fans of the genre. Although the action segments feel a little rigid and dated, the conundrums are well thought out and a highlight of the experience which helps to make this a must for horror addicts.

Cerealkillerz - Steve Brieller - German - 8.2 / 10

In conclusion, the Alone in the Dark Remake offers a compelling blend of detective intrigue, film noir atmosphere, and horror elements. While the narrative, graphics, and sound design excel in creating an immersive experience, shortcomings in gameplay mechanics, particularly in combat and stealth sequences, detract from its overall impact.

Capsule Computers - Admir Brkic - 8 / 10

While this reimagining of the 1992 cult classic is lacking on some fronts, it makes up for the superb and unsettling atmosphere sprinkled throughout the whole game all while being a strong love letter to the original.

Cubed3 - Sandy Kirchner-Wilson - 8 / 10

Although sometimes a little rough, Alone in the Dark is a fantastic remake/reimagining that brings the series back in line with its most interesting events and timeline. This is essential for players looking for a semi-old-school survival horror title that has excellent world design, acting and a host of interesting mysteries to solve. A really great return to form!

Daily Star - Tom Hutchison - 4 / 5

Well worth a look if you’re seeking the comfort of nostalgia with some quality acting talent.

Dexerto - Sam Smith - 4 / 5

Those looking for a third-person action shooter may lose patience with Alone in the Dark. However, those looking for a traditional survival horror experience, one with its PS1 roots still slightly visible, might be reminded why they fell in love with the genre to begin with. The main takeaway though, is that Alone in the Dark is finally back, playing to its strengths, and catering to those who’ve missed it.

Evilgamerz - Dutch - 8 / 10

Pieces Interactive has chosen the Unreal Engine 4 and that choice has turned out very well. The environments are detailed and stylish. The characters generally look convincing and the facial animations are also convincing enough. It's not at the level Naughty Dog is at, but certainly good enough. It's a shame that the animations of the monsters are less convincing. They often feel a bit clumsy, which does not improve the tension. Of course we can't forget to mention the soundtrack. Musician Jason Köhnen creates the perfect oppressive atmosphere with his jazzy music that is needed in Alone in the Dark. At no point does the music miss the mark, and that's great. Developer Pieces Interactive has created a beautiful game with the reboot of Alone in the Dark. You will not easily come across a game that exudes so much atmosphere and constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat. The convincing characters, the beautifully designed Derceto Manor and the oppressive atmosphere make it an exciting adventure. And although the horror element of the dream world is the least exciting, the tension of walking through the enormous mansion makes a huge impression. The puzzles are varied and challenging enough to make you stop regularly to think. Add to this the excellent acting of Emily and Edward and you can say that the return to Derceto Manor is more than successful.

GAMES.CH - Olaf Bleich - German - 80%

Alone in the Dark scores with its intense atmosphere, exciting story and overall good puzzle design. There are deductions for the sluggish controls, the average fights and the backdrop-like game world. Overall, however, THQ Nordic and Pieces Interactive offer you a gripping and balanced action adventure with survival horror elements.

GameLuster - Jess Clayton-Berry - 8 / 10

If you liked the Resident Evil 2 remake, you will easily enjoy Alone in the Dark which makes for a solid survival horror game.

Gamefa - Persian - 8 / 10

Alone in the Dark is far from a perfect game, but its engaging puzzles, impressive exploration and intriguing story would give you plenty reason to experience it.

Gameffine - Subhasish Das - 80 / 100

‘Alone in the Dark is an impressive reimagining of the original 1992 game, enhancing the premise in every conceivable way. It boasts a stellar cast, whose performances bring the story’s beats to life. The unlockable secret endings significantly enhance its replayability. Its highly customizable difficulty settings make it accessible to a broad mainstream audience. Minor issues such as clunky gunplay and movement can be easily overlooked given its superb atmospheric immersion and ambient soundscapes.

Gaming Age - Benny Rose - 8 / 10

It’s such a great time to be a horror game fan and I feel going into Alone in the Dark with an open mind will help for a much more enjoyable experience.

IGN Spain - Rafa Del Río - Spanish - 8 / 10

After several installments that have failed to do justice to the Infogrames classic, Alone in the Dark returns in a new episode somewhere between a reboot and a remake. An original story with an all-star cast that modernizes the classic and offers a new starting point for this mix of Lovecraft and intelligent humor.

NookGaming - Andrew Camac - 8 / 10

While not a complete triumph, falling down in the same places as many other survival horror titles, and a rather iffy last act to boot, there is still so much to fall in love with in Alone in the Dark (2024). It is a must-play for horror fans and would also make an excellent pool to dip your toe into if you're new to the genre, with the fantastic options on offer to make the game as accessible or as masochistic as you need it to be

Alone in the Dark (2024) is exactly what this dormant series needed after the deathblow that was Alone in the Dark: Illumination. It sticks to what made the series famous with classic horror clichés, hammy acting, a great atmosphere, and an engrossing mystery. It's not only a fantastic stand-alone title, but is in the upper echelons of reimaginings, leaning on the original title where it counts, but not enough to make it a crutch. It adds its unique ideas to further the experience and gives gamers a true dark-fantasy horror that would please any avid fans of Lovecraft.

Prima Games - Patrick Souza - 8 / 10

Alone in the Dark is a perfect example of how to reboot a series without deviating too much from original source nor shying away from a new direction. If you're looking for some spooky vibes, you found them.

SECTOR.sk - Matúš Štrba - Slovak - 8 / 10

The new Alone in the Dark game is slow and the action is secondary. There are a lot of puzzles and you have to read journals, notes and clues to solve them. You'll enjoy the atmosphere, the intelligently written story, the two well-crafted perspectives, the great music, and just the puzzles. Want to shoot zombies in the head and not strain yours? Find something else.

The Beta Network - Anthony Culinas - 8 / 10

Alone in the Dark is an impressive take on the 1992 classic. Featuring solid survival horror mechanics inspired by the latest Resident Evils, a strong selection of puzzles and a narrative that returning fans and newcomers alike can enjoy.

VideoGamer - Tom Bardwell - 8 / 10

Alone in the Dark is a considerate reimagining of a pioneering classic, weaving together nifty puzzles, edge-of-your-sofa combat, and clever scares.

WhatIfGaming - Rizwan Anwer - 8 / 10

Alone in the Dark is a strong return to form for the series that helped kickstart the survival horror genre. Its excellent atmosphere, strong mystery, and largely engaging combat design lend to a satisfying and thrilling experience. Some of the character work feels underdeveloped, and a few design choices don't always make sense, but Alone in the Dark is worth the scares, and offers a decent amount of replayability for multiple playthroughs.

XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 8 / 10

Alone in the Dark has come a long way from its initial showings.  Clever writing, great performances by its two leads, and solid gameplay come together to give the franchise a new life.

Gamer Guides - Chris Moyse - 77 / 100

Alone in the Dark serves up a classy and confident slice of old-school survival horror, all sliding puzzles, creaking floorboards, and long, dark shadows. Though it lacks the grander scope of its Shock & Gore contemporaries, this quaint tribute to yesteryear impresses with its kooky cast, strong atmosphere, and vintage ‘ghost story’ vibes. Crucially, Alone in the Dark finally fans have a new adventure they can be proud of.

PC Gamer - Alexander Chatziioannou - 76 / 100

Unsettling and narratively ambitious, this is the best Alone in the Dark game since 1992.

AltChar - Asmir Kovacevic - 75 / 100

Alone in the Dark, a remake of the beloved 1992 classic, endeavours to narrate a gripping horror story. However, while it excels in certain aspects, it falls short in capturing the essence of true horror.

Atomix - Aldo López - Spanish - 75 / 100

I would not recommend making your purchase instantly, because in its first days it costs $60 USD, and the truth is, it is not worth it no matter how much it has decent elements. If you want to try Alone in The Dark, I suggest waiting for a discount after a few months or just being patient in case by some miracle they add it to Game Pass.

But Why Tho? - Katherine Kong - 7.5 / 10

Conclusively, Alone In The Dark properly writes its love letter while creating appeal to a wider audience through cinematic aspects. The classic horror elements and nods to its origins are seen, heard, and felt from beginning to end.

GamePro - Jonas Herrmann - German - 75 / 100

Atmospheric detective thriller with a great setting that gets in its own way during the action.

MondoXbox - Matteo Merlano - Italian - 7.5 / 10

Alone in the Dark is a good game that lacks that extra something to establish itself as a top title. The nostalgia operation works great, but the game does not shine in any aspect, ending up doing a decent job without impressing.

The Jimquisition - James Stephanie Sterling - 7.5 / 10

I was pleasantly surprised, especially given the series’ ignoble history to this point, to find 2024’s Alone in the Dark is actually really enjoyable. While not the most polished or visually impressive game, it’s a charming one that goes out of its way to pay tribute to the original trilogy with its survival horror elements and shameless lore dumps. An effectively spooky presentation, violent enemies, and clever puzzles round out the package, making this the first Alone in the Dark game since the 1990s to be an Alone in the Dark game.

Tom's Hardware Italia - Giulia Serena - Italian - 7.5 / 10

The team at THQ Nordic has managed not only to bring Alone in the Dark back to life, but to breathe so much new life into it that it has become a stand-alone work perfectly in keeping with the modern era and, at the same time, with a noir-like charm that only games of yesteryear had.

Spaziogames - Domenico Musicò - Italian - 7.2 / 10

Due to the clumsy and imprecise combat system, as well as the outdated graphics, Alone in the Dark fails to relaunch the series among the big franchises of the survival horror genre.

CGMagazine - Justin Wood - 7 / 10

Alone in the Dark 2024 revitalizes a classic franchise with a compelling setting and exploration focus, despite being marred by bugs and lacklustre combat.

Cultured Vultures - Jimmy Donnellan - 7 / 10

While it has plenty of rough edges, Pieces Interactive's take on horror royalty is the best the series has been in decades.

Digital Spy - Ben Rayner - 3.5 / 5

Alone in the Dark isn’t a perfect experience or a five-star return to form. However, the game really nails the tone, and it is just a joy to explore Derceto and drink in the spooky vibes of this Lovecraftian detective thriller. There’s enough twists and turns to have you hanging on until the end, even if the latter half of the game feels a little too reliant on action that isn’t quite up to snuff.

Digital Trends - Giovanni Colantonio - 3.5 / 5

Alone in the Dark is the confidently silly horror remake the 1992 classic deserves.

GamingTrend - Henry Viola - 70 / 100

Alone in the Dark plays more of a moody psychological thriller with a heavy emphasis on puzzles rather than a traditional survival horror experience. That combined with the plethora of technical issues hold another remake of an original masterpiece back from reaching its true heights.

God is a Geek - Chris White - 7 / 10

Alone in the Dark is a faithful take on the original, with some smart puzzles and a charming Southern tone despite some frustrating combat.

Press Start - James Berich - 7 / 10

Alone In The Dark is an ambitious reimagining that does little to differentiate itself from the games it's inspired by. While it's clearly taking inspiration from both Resident Evil and The Evil Within to be a survival horror powerhouse, the flat feeling combat and timid horror elements stop it from standing above the games that inspired it. Despite this, a unique take on the story and the strong setting makes it well worth a look for horror fans.

Rectify Gaming - 7 / 10

Alone in the Dark, despite its aspirations, falls short of delivering a cohesive and captivating experience. The disjointed narrative, coupled with lackluster gameplay mechanics, detracts from what could have been a triumphant return to form. While it may offer moments of enjoyment, it ultimately fails to recapture the essence of its predecessors, leaving fans yearning for the chilling embrace of true horror. As the credits roll, it becomes apparent that Alone in the Dark, for all its ambition, remains but a shadow of its former self, a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been.

The Games Machine - Gabriele Barducci - Italian - 7 / 10

Alone in the Dark is, unfortunately, a missed opportunity. Despite an absolutely fascinating aesthetic and artistic structure, the game encounters terrible technical problems, so much so that it affects the performance of the game itself in terms of gameplay mechanics.

Wccftech - Nathan Birch - 7 / 10

Alone in the Dark is the best entry in the franchise in over two decades, although there wasn’t much competition for that title. So-so combat, technical issues, and a frustrating lack of consistency sometimes cast a shadow over the game, and yet, there’s still something enticing here. The game’s intricately-designed Derceto Manor hub, thick Lovecraftian atmosphere, and surprisingly-varied level design ought to be enough to light a spark of enthusiasm in some hardcore survival horror fans’ dark hearts.

eXputer - Hamid Shah - 3.5 / 5

Verdict: Despite its faults, Alone in the Dark is a return to survival horror genre roots with a high emphasis on exploration and storytelling.

Enternity.gr - Stylianos Almpanidis - Greek - 6.5 / 10

Fans of the original game will feel nostalgic, but if they look at the leaps that have been made in recent years in terms of development, their fervor will quickly subside.

IGN Italy - Alessandra Borgonovo - Italian - 6.5 / 10

A promising reboot with a solid narrative and good gameplay. Too many bugs, though, deprive the experience of what could have really been.

BaziCenter - Hamed MohammdPor - Persian - 6 / 10

Alone in the Dark is a collective of issues and fails to impress or add anything to the genre. It is hard to revive the beloved series, but the previous attempts and the final package here all signal that Alone in the Dark should remain a nostalgia.

Bazimag - Bahram Bigharaz - Persian - 6 / 10

The latest attempt to revive Alone in the Dark is not considered a weak title but a disappointing one that failed because of incompetence or maybe even low budget. A title that can be enjoyed in some parts and even considered respectable, but in the end, due to the strange decisions of the creators and their inability to develop, it could not be a title worthy of the name of this series.

GamingBolt - Shubhankar Parijat - 6 / 10

There are bright spots here that genre veterans can and likely will latch on to, but Alone in the Dark feels a bit too rough and unpolished in areas that are too critical to the experience to ever be able to truly meet its full potential.

IGN - Tristan Ogilvie - 6 / 10

It’s not without its memorable moments, but Alone in the Dark fails to escape the shadows of the other contemporary survival horror titans that it helped spawn.

Life is Xbox - 60%

Alone in the Dark is back, but ultimately falls short of the expectations.

Metro GameCentral - GameCentral - 6 / 10

A spirited attempt to revive the former glories of gaming's original survival horror but a lack of scares and sub-par action can't defeat the ghosts of the past.

Pure Xbox - Ben Kerry - 6 / 10

Alone in the Dark is back, and frankly, it may have been better left alone. THQ Nordic's revival isn't a bad game - we enjoyed chunks of it especially towards the beginning of the adventure - but it doesn't stand out in any meaningful way, and ultimately feels a little pointless in the end. We'd recommend keeping an eye on that launch patch to see how the game is shaping up on release, but it's best not to expect a Resident Evil-level reimagining from this Alone in the Dark reboot - even if it stands as a serviceable third-person adventure.

Push Square - Liam Croft - 6 / 10

There are too many flaws at the heart of Pieces Interactive's Alone in the Dark reboot for a blanket recommendation, but anyone with a love for classic survival horror gameplay should - after a few post-launch patches at least - find a relatively worthwhile experience. The combat sections are awful and there's very little to actually spook you, but the puzzle-solving gameplay at the game's core shines. For that alone, it'll find just enough of an audience ready and willing to love it.

TheGamer - Andrew King - 3 / 5

Alone in the Dark is, interestingly, a more communal game than I tend to expect from survival horror. You're frequently running into the other inhabitants of Derceto. I enjoyed talking to them, though the writing isn't especially good, but the game never really delivers on its title and all that company prevents it from ever really getting scary. This is a solid enough retread if you've played through Dead Space and the Resident Evil remakes and want more. But it won't bring many converts to the genre. We'll have to settle for being alone, together, in the dark. Which sorta defeats the entire point when you think about it.

New Game Network - Eric Hall - 58 / 100

As buggy as the bayou, Alone in the Dark is a disappointing return for the classic horror franchise. Derceto Manor has corners worth exploring, and the puzzles are smartly designed. However, the clunky combat, lack of scares, unengaging story and drab voice acting sully the overall package.

Checkpoint Gaming - Charlie Kelly - 5.5 / 10

Alone in the Dark has fumbled once again, with this reimagining circling the drain to a pit of mediocrity. Though the game itself and the environments can be beautiful, it doesn't take advantage of its star-studded cast nor does it tell a story that is remotely sensical or engaging. Always offering just the bare minimum of staples for the survival horror genre and nothing more, it's sad to see the grand daddy of the genre be a shell of its former self. Maybe Alone in the Dark should remain exactly like its namesake.

WellPlayed - James Wood - 5.5 / 10

Alone in the Dark marks a fine attempt at contemporary survival horror mechanics but is completely adrift with an incoherent narrative, dull design, and baffling tonal choices.

AnaitGames - Víctor Manuel Martínez García - Spanish - 5 / 10

Pieces Interactive recovers the master lines of the 1992 original to create a reboot that fails to revitalize its proposal.

GGRecon - Tarran Stockton - 2.5 / 5

The game certainly gets better as time goes on, and the story is well-told enough that it's worth experiencing for survival horror fans. However, it comes with the caveats that the overall gameplay leaves a lot to be desired, and its survival horror contemporaries just do a better job on nearly every front.

GameMAG - Russian - 5 / 10

Alone in the Dark is a B-class game that can be compared to projects like Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle and Song of Horror. But it can't even come close to the legendary original.

PCGamesN - Edward Smith - 5 / 10

Alone in the Dark is a weak survival horror pastiche largely devoid of original moments. The occasional dash of character in its 1920s Deep South setting can't make up for repetitive puzzles and the feeling we've seen all of this before.

TheSixthAxis - Jim Hargreaves - 5 / 10

While it's great to witness the return of survival horror royalty, Alone in the Dark haphazardly follows modern genre trends where it once invented them. While it mostly succeeds at drawing players into a Lovecraftian mystery, it's hard to ignore the underbaked action elements used to patch these story beats together.

Xbox Achievements - Richard Walker - 50%

As remakes go, Alone in the Dark has a hard time measuring up to horror stablemates like Resident Evil. All of the requisite ingredients might be here, but they're poorly realised and implemented, resulting in a game that has its moments, but is hamstrung by shoddy combat, half-baked visuals, and more than its fair share of bugs.

Eurogamer - Vikki Blake - 2 / 5

Great ideas and a storied history are mired in mediocre combat and a disappointingly unpolished delivery.

Eurogamer.pt - Adolfo Soares - Portuguese - 2 / 5

The truth is, I'm a little confused as to the purpose of this new Alone in the Dark. From an investigative point of view, it's well-balanced, but there's no trace of the series' signature horror formula, let alone any element of survival. On top of that, it doesn't bring anything new to the genre. It's an emotionless experience that seems to use the franchise's name only as a strategy to attract players looking for novelties in the genre. Alone in the Dark deserved better, and Pieces Interactive obviously couldn't get the job done.

GameSpot - Mark Delaney - 4 / 10

This reboot of a long-dormant horror franchise doesn't do enough to justify digging up the dead.

Gameblog - _SutterCane - French - 4 / 10

If you're expect Alone in the Dark (2024) to be the next Resident Evil 2 Remake or Dead Space Remake, you'll be dumbfounded. Yes, the series used to a reference for survival horror, but that's no longer the case. This remake has to many flaws to be really enjoyable. The overall film noir atmosphere, with its doom jazz music, is appealing but underused. And on the other hand, the game suffers from narrative issues, a lack of memorable moments and isn't simply good enough. Finally, it's more like a thriller than a satisfaying survival horror experience.

PC Invasion - Alex García - 4 / 10

Alone in the Dark tempts you with some great ideas but inevitably provides no substance. Couple that with less than stellar gameplay and a hunger to tell a better story, I left Derceto Manor feeling unimpressed, frustrated, and ultimately dejected by the sum of its parts

Siliconera - Daniel Bueno - 4 / 10

Return to Derceto Manor in this reimagination of Alone in the Dark, a love letter to the 90’s cult classic horror game. PS5 version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes. Alone in the Dark is a bland entry in the survival horror genre that fails to say anything with its themes, and that barely holds up.

Twinfinite - Luke Hinton - 2 / 5

As it stands, it’s very hard - if not impossible - to recommend Alone in the Dark in its current state. Even if you can look beyond the blandness of its design, story, and gameplay, the sheer lack of polish is far too frustrating to warrant spending any money on. It’s a game that, without exaggeration, I had been looking forward to for years. All that’s left now, though, is a sour taste.

VGC - Chris Scullion - 2 / 5

Alone in the Dark's promising atmosphere is let down by annoying and repetitive puzzles, poor combat and frequent glitches. There's a good game in there somewhere but you have to put up with a lot of frustration to find it.

Stevivor - Steve Wright - 3.5 / 10

While true fans of the franchise might get a kick out of seeing a new take on an old story, Alone in the Dark is a tonal and functional mess that frustrates more than it entertains.

Game Rant - Dalton Cooper - 1.5 / 5

The 2024 Alone in the Dark is a deeply flawed game, but at least it's never boring. The first playthrough is fun despite its issues, mostly thanks to the campy story, and exploring Derceto is rewarding, even with the simplistic puzzles. The second playthrough is where it becomes apparent that there isn't much to the game. At best, it's an incredibly basic and generic survival-horror game that's stuck in the past, and at worst, it's buggy and doesn't justify its $60 price tag.

GamesRadar+ - Leon Hurley - 1.5 / 5

A lackluster and fragmented game that never really comes together in any meaningful way. In almost every sense that matters, from story to combat, horror, and atmosphere, Alone in the Dark leaves much to be desired.

Slant Magazine - Steven Scaife - 1.5 / 5

Coupled with the rest of the game’s failings, it becomes apparent that whatever more complex aspirations Alone in the Dark might have wanted to realize, it didn’t have the resources to achieve them. Its greatest achievement is that, rather than releasing in some broken and clearly unfinished state, it has managed to reach the level of being merely bad instead.

Guardian - Rick Lane - 1 / 5

The stars are lost in a swamp of poor writing and buggy combat in this wearisome reimagining of the 1992 survival classic

Atarita - İdil Barbaros - Turkish - Recommended

As a rebirth of a classic, Alone in the Dark is able to capture the atmosphere of  the Lovecraftian universe. From one adventure to the next, it gives us a great thriller that takes us through a seemingly endless series of nightmares.

Chicas Gamers - Álvaro Bustío - Spanish - Unscored

Adapting a classic like Alone in the Dark to modern times has been a very tough gamble, improving a timeless classic and a precursor to what for many was the horror genre of the 90s is something very difficult, so we can't help but applaud trying. Unfortunately, we have to say that they have tried to innovate so much that the idea of what they should have really focused on, being alone in the dark, has been diluted. Far from being a bad game, it entertains, but it has completely lost its essence and does not give the real feeling of being a survival horror as its original was, but rather a simple action game.

As if this were not enough, it needs a good polish, since we have experienced quite a few situations where we have been forced to restart the game because the character has gotten stuck between two elements of the scenario. Fortunately, the game allows recording at any time and this is easily corrected by loading the nearest checkpoint with all the objects taken up to the time of saving (and there are checkpoints every so often!).

The game has a Deluxe edition that includes comments from the director, a 20s-style sepia filter and, most interestingly, the possibility of playing with the skins of the original 1992 characters! By the way, finishing the campaign with one character took us around 8 hours, so if we want to do it with both it will easily take us about 12 hours (the second round will be faster because we will already know what we have to do and where to go). And finally, mention that by completing some sets of collectibles in the second and third game you can unlock different endings or alternative scenes, a good incentive for the curious and that will further extend the duration of the title.

Digitec Magazine - Cassie Mammone - German - Unscored

"Alone in the Dark" is a successful survival horror game. As a fan of the genre, I am pleased about a few sensible modernizations such as the simplified inventory management and the interactive map. I can overlook most of the old problems, such as the unspectacular shooting sequences.

Duuro Magazine - Krist Duro - Recommended

Although the performance of the two main actors is bad, the setting, the story, the weird gorgeous locations you get to visit and the gameplay make it worth your time and money.

Entertainium - Gareth Brading - Worth your time

Alone in the Dark is a slightly more campy form of horror compared to Resident Evil, with its focus on occult magic and otherworldly monsters over evil megacorporations unleashing deadly bioweapons. The performances and story of this remake kept me engaged, but weren’t groundbreaking. That said the atmosphere was strong throughout and included a number of moments which felt genuinely unnerving, although nothing as terrifying as Resident Evil Village for example. As a tribute to its original namesake, Alone in the Dark certainly lives up to being the best game in the franchise since The New Nightmare in 2001.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Jon Bailes - Unscored

Returning to its interwar period roots, Alone in the Dark successfully reworks and expands the original game's scenario and characters, but its exploration, puzzle solving and combat largely stick to now familiar survival horror routines.

 

[best3444]

I called it scoring in the 6's before knowing anything about it. It's definitely not worth my time. That's awful. 

[Biggie]

2 minutes ago, best3444 said:

I called it scoring in the 6's before knowing anything about it. It's definitely not worth my time. That's awful. 

Day one for me!

[best3444]

Just now, Biggie said:

Day one for me!

 

Sound like stepee lol

[stepee]

The review scores don’t scare me off true, some of what I read was enough to make me think this is a wait though. 

[Keyser_Soze]

3 hours ago, stepee said:

Sounds like it’s short with terrible combat (and a lot of it) but good atmosphere and puzzles. I’ll probably wait for $30 or so for this one with everything else to play rn.

 

2 hours ago, stepee said:

The review scores don’t scare me off true, some of what I read was enough to make me think this is a wait though. 

 

 

How much is it though? Steam page still has no price.

[Xbob42]

4 hours ago, stepee said:

Sounds like it’s short with terrible combat (and a lot of it) but good atmosphere and puzzles.

If I'm being completely honest with myself, this is exactly how I would describe Silent Hill games and Resident Evil games (pre-RE4). And I still love those! It depends on how terrible the combat is, and in what way!

[Dre801]

Considering how disappointing the past several Alone in the Dark releases have been, I can't allow myself to feel hope.

[Xbob42]

55 minutes ago, Dre801 said:

Considering how disappointing the past several Alone in the Dark releases have been, I can't allow myself to feel hope.

Hey, 6/10 is like 8x better than the last Alone in the Dark I played.

[Brian]

THQ Nordic waiting to be Embraced 

[stepee]

cdkeys has this for $40 so that’s close enough to give this one a go after Horizon! @Xbob42 u still playing? I booted up the beginning and I can feel the LA Noire vibes, especially the music.

[best3444]

29 minutes ago, stepee said:

cdkeys has this for $40 so that’s close enough to give this one a go after Horizon! @Xbob42 u still playing? I booted up the beginning and I can feel the LA Noire vibes, especially the music.

 

You're going to enjoy it. I've read plenty of positive reviews where they said it really brings back the vibes of the original. Combat may be not be so hot but you are much more open to different gameplay experiences and are forgiving with flaws. 

 

One of my subs on YouTube is currently playing through it and having a great time. 

[Xbob42]

59 minutes ago, stepee said:

cdkeys has this for $40 so that’s close enough to give this one a go after Horizon! @Xbob42 u still playing? I booted up the beginning and I can feel the LA Noire vibes, especially the music.

Haven't had a chance to really get into it yet. Currently playing this crazy indie horror-ish game, Withering Rooms, which is bizarre and fun as hell.

[stepee]

oh yeah game has atmosphere for dayyyysss

[best3444]

3 minutes ago, stepee said:

oh yeah game has atmosphere for dayyyysss

 

How much have you played? I'm watching a YouTube playthrough from someone I follow and they say nothing but good things about this. 

[stepee]

21 minutes ago, best3444 said:

 

How much have you played? I'm watching a YouTube playthrough from someone I follow and they say nothing but good things about this. 

 

I’m maybe 2.5 hours in or so. I’m loving it, it’s got great vibes. I just put it on easy since the combat isnt great and it’s fine like this and doesn’t detract from what it does well. The puzzles are a lot of fun. It’s quite visually interesting. I’m playing as Dave Harbour for the novelty of being familiar with him and he does a good job here. Too bad I guess I’m already probably 1/4th through it.