**Review of Alone in the Dark**
Having a long history with the Alone in the Dark franchise, it's fair to say my expectations for the latest installment were high, especially given my nostalgia for its origins. My first real encounter with the series was playing the Dreamcast version in the early 2000s, and I've always appreciated the blend of horror and adventure it aimed to provide. When I finally got my hands on the current version on PS5, I was eager to see how the series had evolved. Unfortunately, while it does offer some good moments, it ultimately falls short of its predecessors and similar titles in the genre.
The story revolves around Emily Hartwood and private investigator Edward Carnby as they delve into the mysteries surrounding Derceto Manor, searching for Emily's missing uncle, Jeremy. Right from the start, I felt a disconnect with the narrative. The plot veers into bizarre territory almost immediately, with characters popping in and out as the duo transitions through a disjointed series of locales, ranging from the streets of New Orleans to arid deserts. The shifts feel abrupt and confusing, and it's hard to invest in the storyline when understanding what's happening becomes a chore.
This installment markets itself as a survival horror game-a classification I agree with, though not entirely convincingly. The encounters with various monsters, including mutant skeletons and Swamp Thing-esque creatures, become repetitive quickly. While the enemies looked decent and had varied designs, their AI lacked depth; they mostly charged at you without strategy, resulting in encounters that felt more like an inconvenience than a challenge. Surprisingly, I found myself indifferent to many of the puzzles as well, often resorting to online guides for solutions. They tend to be pattern-based and lack the cleverness that keeps players engaged.
Weapons in the game-ranging from a revolver to a shotgun and a tommy gun-perform well in terms of animation and sound design. I gravitated towards the shotgun for its effectiveness. Post-patch, the availability of ammo seemed improved, which is certainly a positive note. However, the game lacks the feeling of progression one often appreciates in games of this genre. There are no upgrades to your abilities or weapons, causing encounters to feel somewhat stagnant and unrewarding.
Graphically, the game isn't particularly awful, yet the environments lack a sense of personality or atmosphere. It felt as though the design team focused on delivering a game rather than creating an immersive world. The character animation appears stiff at times, particularly during actions like climbing ladders. While the voice acting is acceptable, the lack of clarity in the narrative made it challenging to connect with the characters.
Alone in the Dark can be completed in around six hours, but it feels even shorter due to its lack of depth and engagement. There is only one major boss encounter that appears right at the end, further alienating players from building any connection with the challenges the story has to offer. I primarily played as Edward, and I had little interest in switching to Emily due to the narrative's disjointed nature.
Overall, Alone in the Dark feels like a missed opportunity. It holds some production value, but it fails to capture the magic that made early survival horror titles compelling. As it stands, this game earns a rating of 6 out of 10. It may be worth purchasing during a sale-perhaps when it dips to around twenty dollars. For now, those looking for a gripping horror experience might find better offerings within the genre.
