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Thinks too highly of itself, ultimately extremely frustrating.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 31, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Many of the other reviewers have very similar feelings.

At first the game seems interesting, unique, fancy, innovative, and pretty. Not long into it you'll begin to encounter the very real problems the game has. Controlling your character with any precision is impossible. You can select first person, which is painfully sluggish, but the game forces you back into 3rd person most of the time. 3rd person _looks_ really nice, and I can respect the artist's vision of the world. Trying to actually function in 3rd person is a whole different thing: completely frustrating. The camera is rarely where you want it to be looking. At many points in the game you may have to resort to hand to hand combat, which will be forced in the 3rd person, and will make you want to throw your fancy wireless remote right out of the window, followed by the XBOX and TV, still plugged into the wall. At least hand to hand, while completely worthless in this game, isn't like Silent Hill: no stance fighting. But: basically as useless.

The inventory system, while it seems innovative, is actually quite stale once you get a bit into the game. It's also extremely clunky and hard to use under duress. The healing system, too, at first seems innovative, but is actually quite obnoxious. Let's face it, they were neat ideas on a white board in a room full of excited marketing guys -- but in reality they don't work well. The game boasts this open style combination system. Flammable liquid in container, tape, box of bullets, throw at bad guy, shoot, repeat. Put alcohol on bullets, aim for little cracks in baddies, shoot repeatedly because the targeting system is crappy, repeat. There really isn't much too it after you've done it a few times. One little gripe here: the eye blinking spectral vision thing. Yes, push down and hold the right thumbstick which is also what you'd need to use to aim, precisely, on a moving target, to kill it. Who play tested this, and where can I find them? I'd like to have a little dialog with them about this subject.

Vehicle driving... man, what can I say? Nothing like tapping a 3" curb and watching the vehicle fly up into the air and shed all of it's fenders in one motion. You can do some neat things with vehicles... cut open the gas tanks, fill bottles, use them as rolling bombs, all kinds of things. Too bad the interface sucks so bad that it's hard to pull any of that stuff off. Once again: it sounds neat, but doesn't work out that way.

To be fair, I haven't completed the game as of yet. Honestly, while I like to see things through, I may not. Some of the puzzles are, frankly, very annoying. Some of the stuff is very... cryptic and without any real clue of what is happening. Sometimes you'll find yourself somewhere, nothing is happening, and you don't really know what to do next. Other times the solution is so obvious and streamlined that it is a wonder they put it in at all. The story is not engaging. The story doesn't even make sense in a few places.

I could go on and on, but basically I am very disappointed in this game. The fire effects are out of this world, the environments are decent, water is awesome, and there is some definite lighting/atmosphere neatness... but that's about it. Otherwise, the game is very awkward, repetitive, confusing, and above all else: frustrating. It's just not the game it could be, and it's not the game that was advertised. This is no surprise, none the less, it is what it is.

I really wanted this game to be spooky, creepy, innovative, cool, engaging, and immersive. It's not. It's just a waste of time and money.

Pretty solid game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 30, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I picked this game up a few monts ago when I had some spare money, and I most say I was pleasently suprised with it. I had heard a lot of bad things about it and was a little worried after I bought that it might be poor. Its basically a survival horror game with a fairly heavy gunplay feature thrown it with it. The game will frustrate you a lot, there are a lot of parts where you seem to be set up to fail multiple times before you figure out a specific pattern to use. With that said this is no COD4, Halo 3, or Bioshock, but it still brings much to the table that we have not seen in a while. This game is now $40, which is resonable if you have that much money on you.

Graphics 9.0 ( Top notch graphics )
Audio 6.5 ( You only hear enemies most of the time )
Achievements 8.5 ( easy 750-1000 )
Controls 7.0 ( Wasnt that bad to me )
Camera 6.5 ( Can be irritating at times )
Overall 8.5-9.0

Great Experience

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: August 01, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I know Im not alone when I say this game offers a whole new experience that deserves, at least, a rent. Since the game starts you get a chance to experiment with the abilities you will have through the rest of the game, the difference is that later on you will star finding new or different items to combine. This takes me to the inventory, which everyone seems to hate. I find the inventory to be excellent, many people hate the fact that the game doesnt pause when you open it but does the world pause when you go through the pockets of your jacket? Its suppose to be a survival horror kind of game. Besides its not even complicated, it doesnt take me more time in the game to change the batteries of my flashlight than what it takes in real life. The camera is not an issue either, its just different, and the fist-person view is like any other.
The graphics are probably the most amazing thing on the game, which may also have something to do with the soundtrack, together they make a beautiful combination. No problems with the save system. You also have a way to forward the story, so if you just dont like the part where you are playing or its too challenging you can just skip it. The story is intriguing and it reminds me of the movie "Cloverfield" although as the story progresses the similarities just banish.
Overall what I think its going on is that people are obsessed with Halo and Gears of War, they want every game to be a shooter. And honestly im tired of war games and other shooters, maybe because thats all the XBOX 360 offers, so if you are like me just give this game a chance, maybe even a rent. It may take Master Chief out of your mind for some time.
8/10

Greatness yanked down by poor decisions

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: July 31, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Most people attribute the start of the Survival Horror genre to Resident Evil. While you can trace the birth of Survival Horror back far, far before that game (to Sweet Home or, if you want to stretch it, to Haunted House in 1981), modern Survival Horror games were firmly established by the first Alone in the Dark. Since that first game, though, the series has been an up and down roller coaster that never seemed to be able to outmatch some of the better known and more famous franchises like Resident Evil or Silent Hill.

So, when Eden Games started to work on reinventing the franchise, I was cautiously optimistic. A lot of the ideas and concepts they spoke of seemed like great ideas, and they seemed to be trying to Do Something Different. Unfortunately, the sum is not greater than its parts and Alone in the Dark, while reaching for the stars, can't stay afloat.

Things begin appropriately apocalyptic. Edward Carnby awakens in some hotel with some bad men arguing about cryptic shenanigans. Carnby, no longer useful, is led up to the roof to be executed but before that can happen, bad juju hits the fan as a "scar" tears through the building. From here, this first episode really picks up as you're trying to escape the building alive.

Here is where the goodness lies. Alone in the Dark has a great opening that's appropriately cinematic but in such a way that only games can do. The building starts to fall apart, you have to run and jump your way to safety, climb along the outside of the building while debris tumbles and while watching cars below you explode. You learn how Eden Games created some appropriately realistic fire for the game as you watch it spread and have to put it out or use it as a weapon. You'll see things happen to the various rooms you're in that will make you want to believe you're watching a cinematic, not playing through a game. It's very cool.

And then you try to move.

Movement is the worst part of the game. It's all controlled with one stick which makes actually moving feel as if you're controlling a drunk, disobedient person. Once you get a melee weapon in your hand, you'll see another problem: using the right analog stick to attack. You'll have to swing it one direction, then another just to attack. Unfortunately it's sluggish, as is the animation, resulting in you taking more damage than you should need to. Fighting monsters becomes a chore, one you'll grow to hate because as the game progresses, you'll learn that basically all monsters can only die via fire. So, grab that chair, light it on fire and swing away...hoping you hurt it more than it hurts you. Similarily, gun fights are also not terrific as you have to pop into first person whenever you want to shoot someone. No lock and pop here.

Likewise, if walking around makes you feel like a drunk, driving is a good approximation of drunk driving, I believe. The controls are incredibly loose and in the first driving portion of the game, loose controls isn't a good idea. What should be an exciting escape sequence that involves the ground behind you exploding, tears appearing across the streets, buildings collapsing, fire, death explosions, cats and dogs sleeping together turns into frustration as you'll probably find yourself repeating the episode. Over. And Over. From the beginning. It loses its fun and becomes a chore.

Towards the end of the game, the game pulls a Zelda: Wind Waker moment and has you hunting down certain things and destroying them in an effort, one has to assume, to artificially lengthen the game. If there's one thing that Alone in the Dark does exceptionally well, it's the pacing. When you hit this moment it's like running smack dab into a brick wall. It's sad.

There's a lot going for Alone in the Dark, don't get me wrong. The inventory system is a cool innovation. The whole episodic "TV show/DVD" feel is perfect, with DVD-style menus complemented by the ability to switch to any episode you like. The graphics are pretty decent, as is the engine it's running on. Some cool, small features, like the ability to blink your eyes is very effective during some sequences. And the pacing--for the most part--is perfect; it can really get your adrenaline going...until you're forced to repeat the same thing over and over again.

I really wanted to like Alone in the Dark. I didn't honestly think that Eden Games would elevate the game to the front of the pack, but there was enough little things and innovations that I thought maybe it'd be a good game. When I played it, I was amazed. Eden Games wanted no less than to shoot for the moon and make the most ambitious Survival Horror game yet. Unfortunately, reality is sometimes like gravity and unfortunately Alone in the Dark isn't the masterpiece I, and Atari, I'm sure, was hoping for. Definitely give it a rent, but I'd hold off on purchasing it.

Amazing Scenario and Direction

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: July 24, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Despite all the justified negative reviews i still rate this game very possitively as the game cenematics, scenario and music all mixed together are simply amazing. This game cenematics is way better than a lot of hollywood movies i have seen.
The game gets pretty tough on episode 7 but before that everything is within limit. Controls and camera are not amazing and they might get annoying sometimes.
It is worth playing and i enjoyed most of my time in the game (excludig the 10+ hrs i spent to pass the 8 zombies in the train station in episode 7 :)).

Loved it, from start to finish.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: July 22, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I pre-ordered this game back in February when I bought Test Drive Unlimited. When the game was reaching it's release date I checked out game sites to see if any early reviews were posted, and of course I eventually ran into the numerous reviews on Amazon and have also seen the reviews from IGN and GameSpot. Now, I after beating the game I can fully understand why it is getting so much flak. Alone in the Dark is a game that requires the player to actually think, to use common sense. Alone in the Dark is not your simple shoot em' up game, it's not Halo, or Call of Duty. The problem I am reading most is the controls, and this is what I don't get, if you have played Resident Evil (any of them). then you should be ok with this game because they are the same as any Resident Evil game with the exception of switching between first and third person. Other complaints span to the infamous 59th Street scene when your driving through New York City. Once again I see no problem with this as I completed it in one try, and during that one try I encountered no such things that ive been reading like ''invisible walls'' or ''bottomless pits.'' In fact, I re-did the part in cockpit mode which actually made the scene easier. I am actually glad I decided to go ahead and buy this game even with all the negative press, because I am so sick and tired of all the sequels we keep getting every year (I.E. Halo 3, GTA4, MGS4, COD4, DMC4, Resistance 2, Gears 2, Resident Evil 5). Now, if you are reading this, you might be asking ''Mr. Vereb, why did you add Resident Evil 5, Gears 2, and Resistance 2; they are not even out yet!'' Well I just added them because they are in a long line of a list of sequels that I am talking about. What I like about Alone in the Dark is that it is new, it's not just a sequel to the franchise; it's more like a reboot. You know what, I may as well be in the minority here, but I damn well loved Alone in the Dark; from start to finish. This game is truly a AAA title. However, like any other game it has it's faults and I will point them out. The first fault being that some objects are nearly invincible when you are driving through Central Park (branches, light polls, benches, etc) if I know better these things should be pretty easy to run right through with any kind of car. The second fault being that the game does not pause when you go into you inventory (which means an enemy can still attack you while you are checking your inventory). The final two faults are the annoying repetitive evil roots you have to burn unless your an achievement whore like mean, then by all means there good, and lastly this game has no replay value. Everything else from the graphics (especially the fire effects) to the DVD-style chapters to the incredible soundtrack done by The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices and not to mention the realism that was put into recreating Central Park in it's entirety makes the game top notch. Even with my review I do not recommend this game for everyone, I strongly recommend it to gamers who are willing to take a chance with something new and I also highly recommend this game to survival horror fans in general. Overall, if you are looking for a game to hold you over for more survival horror games or for something else in general, then Alone in the Dark is a satisfying adventure. I can safely say this in case you want your own opinion, there is now a demo available on XBL if you want to play through the first two levels from what I have read at least. Even though the game has no replay value, I am not going to sell it because the game was that good for me, and I plan to pick it up and play again sometime in the near future.

Bad camera and controls

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: July 19, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Graphics are decent, but camera makes the whole game annoying. You find yourself struggling with the controls and camera angles, and it just ruins the whole game.

Maybe worth 20 if on sale, certainly not worth 60!!! This game will annoy you though, lol.

Makes the original AitD look like a masterpiece...

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: July 18, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I rented this from gamefly.com before even thinking about buying it, and am I glad I did. I played the original Alone in the Dark on a pc in the early 90's. It was a classic - scary, challenging without being frustrating and good game play. Even though the graphics are without question better in this 2008 edition, the scare factor is gone. Possessed persons and creatures in the game (in the game so far, as I haven't finished it yet and probably won't) are not frightening, mood music is not well timed/done or overdone in places. Movement is choppy and difficult - there's no moving from a pivot position, you don't have the freedom of observing in all directions if you're not in first-person mode, and overall directional control with the left stick just isn't smooth as, say, in Assassin's Creed or Call of Duty 4. The motion sequences can be choppy and laggy/delayed. There is a long intro chapter you complete before the title screen comes up in the game and if you had to judge the game on that alone, you would likely not buy a copy for your Xbox 360 collection. You can't skip action/movie sequences so game play feels like it drags more than it already does. Checkpoints (they're like autosave points)are weird, as you'll have to often view the action sequences again before you can continue to play from a checkpoint. Characters feel "flat" (no personality).

I don't recommend paying $60 or even $50 for this game. Pick up a used copy for $20 if you can. I was incredibly disappointed with this game. Makes me miss the original dos version.

I agree with Paul Arellano's July 1, 2008 review of this game. I somewhat agree with reviewer N. Durham's point concerning a decent game marred by technical issues. But IMHO, with this many technical issues, I *do* consider it a part of the game experience and can't extract it out of the overall enjoyment factor.

A complete disappointment.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: July 18, 2008
Author: Amazon User

It is just incredible to see how the series that created the genre has been destroyed by the las installment.

The game is full of technical problems that prevent you from having any fun whatsoever. It had a super great potential but they blew it by releasing too early and not paying attention to the actual game play.

Graphics are very good but that does not save a game at all. This is the only reason it got 2 stars, to tell the artists that they are the only ones who did a good job.

This only tells you the state of the Video Game industry. These guys have almost no process in their development cycle and whatever little process they have it is done wrong. It is very possible that they put the developers to work 60+ hours a week just as they did to us in EA for Superman, which was another disappointment, though not even close to the level of failure this game is.

As for the game, well, simply don't buy it, it is going to be a real disappointment and a waste of your money. In spite of the industry being in complete development dippers, some companies still manage to crate good games, this unfortunately is not one of them. Rent it if you want to see it, just as I did after reading the reviews here and I am glad to have wasted only $5 instead of $60.

You have been warned.

Save your money!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: July 14, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I've played some really bad games in the past, but I have to admit that AITD has jumped up into the top 5.

GAMPLAY: Absolutely horrid.
GRAPHICS: Actually, pretty good.
SOUND: There's sound in this game other than grunts?

Okay so, hands-down the absolute worst controls in any game -- ever! The first five minutes of this game alone, will have you wanting to throw your controller across the room! Just wait until you have to fight an enemy. Moving you character is such a chore that any hopes of enjoyment are soon done away with.

In short, I simply can not understand how a game that has been delayed as many times as this, can still be this bad.

TRUST ME! Save your money!

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