Alone in the Dark (2008 video game)

Infobox VG
title = Alone in the Dark


developer = Eden Games (Windows, Xbox 360)
Hydravision Entertainment (PS2, Wii)
publisher = Atari
designer = Nour Polloni (producer)
composer = Olivier Derivière
series = "Alone in the Dark"
engine = Twilight 2 [cite web | url=http://ps3.qj.net/Atari-talks-Alone-in-the-Dark-engine-Twilight-2/pg/49/aid/119616 | title=Atari talks Alone in the Dark engine Twilight 2 | author=Nicolo S | accessdate=2008-06-24 | work=qj.net | publisher=Content Holdings]
released =Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 2, Wii
PlayStation 3
November 21 2008 [http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=201234 PS3 Alone in the Dark this November] ]
genre = Survival horror, Psychological horror, Action-adventure
modes = Single-player
ratings = vgratings|PEGI=18+|ESRB=M|BBFC=15
platforms = Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Wii, PlayStation 3
media = DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Wii optical disc
requirements =
input = DualShock 2, DualShock 3, Xbox 360 Controller, Wii Remote and Nunchuk, Keyboard, Mouse

"Alone in the Dark", originally known as "Alone in the Dark: Near Death Investigation" and informally known as "Alone in the Dark 5" to avoid naming confusion, is the fifth installment of the survival horror video game series under the same name created by Atari. [ [http://www.ataricommunity.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=170 Alone in the Dark Series - Atari Forums] ]

Originally, the game was to coincide with the release of the film version of "Alone in the Dark". However, developer Eden Games decided to delay the game and rework it entirely from scratch, making it seem like the film appeared to deviate from the "Alone in the Dark" game franchise, save for the fact that the film was in some ways a sequel to "".

The game was released for Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 and Wii on June 20, 2008 in Europe, with North America's release on June 24.cite web | url=http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/864/864191p1.html | title=Alone in the Dark Release Date Confirmed | publisher=IGN] The PlayStation 3 version has been delayed until November 2008, but will include several enhancements from the other versions.cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=220284 | title=Eurogamer: Alone in the Dark PS3 Preview | publisher=Eurogamer] The Windows, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions are developed by Eden Games while the PS2 and Wii versions were simultaneously developed by Hydravision Entertainment. [ [http://www.centraldark.com/ Alone In The Dark : Central Park - OFFICIAL VIDEOGAME SITE ] ]

Gameplay

The gameplay in "Alone In The Dark" differs greatly from other games in the series. It is set out through DVD-style 'episodes', where the player can choose to start the game from the beginning, or choose to skip to a section if they get stuck. If they choose so, the past events are recollected in a "Previously on Alone In The Dark..." cutscene at the start of the episode.

"Alone In The Dark" has an interchangeable first and third person camera, and puzzle solving style gameplay. The player can switch to first-person view if they choose to. The environment plays a big part of core gameplay, as the player can pick up any object (such as pipes, wood, etc.) and use it as a melee weapon. It can also be used to smash in doors, and knock objects over. Fire is generated in real-time, as objects can be set alight by holding it over the fire, and it can be extinguished. If the fire isn't extinguished fast enough, the flames will continue to regenerate. The player can pick up objects, and combine to make different styles of weapons, however only some objects can be combined with others. Any object which is shot at or thrown will be destroyed instantly.

If the player takes damage, open wounds appear on Edward's outfit. Players must use a medical spray, or if the wounds are too deep, use bandages to heal themselves. Similar to "Dark Sector", if Edward takes too much damage, the screen will flash red, and a heartbeat sound will be heard indicating that he is bleeding out.

PlayStation 3 version changes

At the 2008 Games Convention in Leipzig, Eden Games announced a number of improvements that will be made to the upcoming PlayStation 3 version, based on feedback they received from other versions. These include a full manual camera control with the right analogue stick, a more zoomed-out third-person view as well as refinements to the inventory system and driving mechanics. Eden has also stated that it is working on a patch for the Xbox 360 version to include most of these improvements. The full list of changes can be found here.cite web | url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=196629 | title=Alone in the Dark PS3 changes listed | publisher=CVG]

Plot

Set during 2008, the story continues with Edward Carnby, the main protagonist from the original game, looking for answers to strange supernatural and bizarre occurrences while battling his way through the opposition in New York City's Central Park.

The game story centers around rumors, allegations, and suspicions of clandestine activity in tunnels found below the park.

When browsing the official website, there are sections of the site dedicated solely to the mysteries of Central Park. Subjects of investigation include possibly mutated trees, unusual aviary migration behavior in the park, astounding insect invasion problems, as well as the park's value in real-estate; which is stated to be in excess of $528,783,552,000, a finding produced in 2007. In addition, the park's value is compared to the national defense budget, with the park being 26% higher in value than the defense budget in 2007. Also, to further support rumored reports of tunnels found below the park, it is said that the atom bomb was invented by instigation of the Manhattan Project. Conclusively, at the time of writing, there is a historical reference to a treaty between The Dutch and The British in 1667, in which The Dutch gained the island of Run in exchange for the Manhattan Islands.

"Alone in the Dark" will develop ties between these mysterious aspects of the park, while dealing with supernatural elements as well. Throughout the game, Carnby will be assisted by Sarah Flores, an art dealer, and Theophile Paddington, an elderly man who has knowledge about the weird happenings in Central Park, and an old friend of Carnby's. The main antagonist is another elderly man named Crowley, and is played out in a episodic format, like a TV show.

Episode 1

The game begins as Edward wakes up and is forced out of the room on orders by Crowley to be taken to the roof and executed. As Edward is escorted by gunpoint, his would-be executioner attempts to open a door to the rooftop of the building, and is suddenly attacked and killed by an unseen force. Edward stumbles to a wash basin and regains his sight, discovering a scar on his left cheek and that he has amnesia. He then makes his way to the elevator shaft where he sees Crowley and his other assistant enter the elevator with Theophile in tow. It is revealed that Theophile is carrying a special stone that was taken from Edward and was expected to perform a ritual before handing it over to Crowley. Something resembling a living scar rushes down towards the elevator, killing Crowley's assistant. Edward gets off the elevator before it crashes to the first floor. He is then forced to climb down the elevator shaft and enters into a lower floor of the hotel where he meets a woman named Anna, who is separated from another man stuck behind a door. After freeing the man by knocking the door down, Anna and the man follow Edward to find a way out through a hallway as it burns down, with Edward using a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames. Edward finds a way out by jumping over a hole in the floor. Half way across, the man is "eaten" by a living scar and Edward is separated from Anna. Edward takes a gun off of a dead police officer in the next room. Immediately after this, the whole room begins collapsing around him, and Edward survives by grabbing onto a gargoyle sticking out of the side of the building. After Edward scales the side of the building and finds a way back into it, he reunites with Anna. After moving slightly closer to the hotel's ground floor, Anna is "eaten" by another living scar. After meeting up with a watchman called Jack and navigating through a dark room, they find Anna again, who has been possessed by a demonic entity. It kills Jack before turning its attention to Edward.

Episode 2

The entity speaks directly through Anna, demanding the stone, which Edward doesn't have, before attempting to kill him. No matter what Edward throws at the possessed Anna, she merely shrugs it off and keeps coming after him, and he is only able to permanently kill her by setting her on fire. After proceeding to another elevator shaft and jumping down into an elevator, Edward meets Sarah Flores, an art dealer. They are then attacked by more possessed humans, which sever the elevator cables, sending them crashing to the first floor and ending up in the reception hall. A police officer tries to pull the doors open, but is killed by something outside. Crowley is also briefly seen before making a swift exit through a door locked by a control panel. Edward and Sarah enter the reception hall by climbing out of the elevator and into another one which is open. Edward picks up a flashlight from the dead police officer. The hall has no light except for a large fire at the end of it. Edward and Sarah are ambushed by small spider-like demons and a possessed human, which Edward is able to fend off. He is able to turn the electricity back on, thus being able to go through the door Crowley entered by tampering with the control panel's wiring. On his way down the staircase behind the door, however, Edward is attacked by another possessed human, and the entity that possessed Anna earlier speaks to him again, offering him a place in its plans, and that Edward only needs to die first. Edward kills the possessed human, and he and Sarah proceed down into a parking garage.

Edward and Sarah find Theophile in bad shape. He tells Edward that Crowley is behind this chaos, that he forced Theophile to retrieve the stone and use it in a ritual, and that Edward lost a large part of his memories in the process. Theophile finally tells Edward that he needs to follow something called the "Path of Light" before "He" swallows up the whole city. Edward hotwires a nearby car and they drive through the destroyed parking garage before the car ends up crushed under rubble. Edward is able to find another one and they drive out onto the streets of New York City. The whole city is in chaos, as Theophile stated earlier. Another living scar appears on the side of the hotel and rushes down to the street, which starts to open up and try to swallow their car. Theophile says that this is what was trapped in the stone and what he freed Edward from. Edward realizes that now it wants it back. Theophile tells him that they need to get to Central Park. Edward races through New York City as it is destroyed around them, but he succeeds in getting to Central Park, crashing the car in the process. Edward is badly injured, and he and Sarah begin to argue. Theophile makes them stop by pointing a gun at them. He then says that he is too weak to go on, and that Edward must proceed down the "Path of Light" without him. Theophile gives Edward the stone, saying that it is mostly harmless now, and that Edward is their only salvation. He then shouts, apparently to nobody in particular, that he won't be their puppet, then tells Edward and Sarah to meet him in Room 943 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art before shooting himself in the head.

Episode 3

Edward is bleeding severely and only has a few minutes to live. Sarah sees an ambulance nearby and leaves him behind to follow it. Edward retrieves Theophile's PDA and uses it to dial 911. An EMT in Central Park tells him he can find first-aid kits in restrooms. Edward makes his way to a nearby restroom, and uses some bandages to temporarily stop his bleeding. After blowing up part of the restroom wall with a bottle filled with an explosive liquid, Edward sees that the landscape in and around Central Park has been drastically altered by the evil released from the stone Theophile gave him. He climbs across a series of dangerous ridges and platforms, and navigates through an underground maintenance tunnel, parts of which are infested by a strange black goo that eats people, and receives a call from Crowley, who reveals Edward's last name: Carnby. Edward eventually emerges in another part of the park, and makes his way to Sarah and the ambulance she went after earlier. A doctor has Edward tell him his name, then checks him over and tends to his injuries. Afterwards, he checks Edward's medical history and claims that there must be something wrong with the search engine, as the only Edward Carnby listed was a paranormal investigator who disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1938. Edward realizes that he is somehow over 100 years old.

Episode 4

Edward and Sarah make their way across Central Park while being attacked by large flocks of small demons that resemble mutated bats. They grab another car, but are eventually thrown off the road and into a large nest belonging to the bat demons. Edward succeeds in destroying the nest, and afterwards, Sarah tells him a Latin proverb she heard somewhere, involving something called the "Light Bringer." They deduce that the Light Bringer is actually Lucifer, the Devil. Edward and Sarah make their way closer to the museum, but Sarah is kidnapped by more bat demons. Edward promises to find her as she is carried off, and uses another car to jump the chasm separating him from the museum. Edward gets inside and makes his way through the halls, eventually finding Sarah trapped inside a strange cocoon, having the life drained out of her.

Episode 5

Edward cuts Sarah out of the cocoon and revives her using CPR. She says that the evil spoke directly to her, and that she thinks she knows how to kill it. They share a brief kiss, but their moment is interrupted by a very large version of the bat demons they encountered earlier, circling outside the museum. Edward leaves Sarah behind to rest, and proceeds deeper into the museum. Edward meets a guard who knows of Room 943 and Theophile. He refers to Room 943 as Theophile's office. He opens a security door for Edward, but is killed by a large half-spider demon that tells Edward that even though he cannot remember his sins(from the time he had the stone), he is still responsible for them. Edward accepts this and kills the demon. As the demon dies Sarah catches up with Edward, fully rested. Together, they make their way through another security door, using the dead guard's arm, which Edward has to cut off, and finally arrive at Room 943.

Episode 6

Edward and Sarah enter Room 943, and find a picture of Edward with a young boy. Written on it is: "Theo, my pupil and I. 1936.". Suddenly, paranormal events begin happening. Chairs light on fire and objects are thrown around the room. The door locks itself, and the lights go out. When Carnby closes his eyes, Theophile's spirit appears and points out different objects in the room which create the message: "Sarah, I want you to knock him down". Sarah knocks Edward out and in his unconscious state, Theophile is able to speak with Edward, telling him that when Lucifer was cast out of Heaven to live among mortals, he created an artifact known as the Philosopher's Stone that would allow his soul to travel through time, but trapped himself inside it as a result. Theophile reveals that he released Lucifer from the stone, and that he now wants it to bring about the end of all things. Theophile then tells Edward that like people, Central Park has secrets, and that one of them can save the world, but Edward has to get to Belvedere Castle to find its resting place.

Once awake, Theophile shows Edward into a hidden room that is part of an ancient machine. Edward retrieves a special lens that, when combined with his flashlight, can activate special symbols. He uses it to open up a secret tunnel out of Room 943, and leaves Sarah behind. Edward eventually emerges outside the museum, but falls into a pit filled with more of the man-eating black goo. Crowley arrives in a helicopter and offers to pull Edward to safety, but only if he gives him the stone. Crowley lowers a rope and lets Edward climb up into the helicopter, then pulls a gun on Edward, demanding the stone from him, saying that it's his birthright. Edward hangs the stone out the helicopter, asking Crowley why he wants it so much if he knows it's cursed. At this point, the large bat demon from earlier attacks the helicopter and sends it crashing to the ground.

Episode 7

Edward hangs off a cliff from the rope he used to climb into the helicopter, and swings into a wrecked subway station. After climbing through a subway car, and climbing up, and through, the large bat demon, which was injured when it attacked the helicopter, Edward makes his way to Belvedere Castle. On the way there, Sarah sends him e-mails containing various excerpts from Theophile's diary. One in particular catches his eye, saying that whoever possesses the Philosopher's Stone stops aging, which explains why Edward is still alive after all this time. Once Edward reaches the castle, he uses the lens he retrieved to activate symbols in, and around it, which activate an elevator that leads up to a telescope. Edward looks through it, and the telescope shines a beam of light at the moon, which reveals Edward's next destination.

Episode 8

Edward goes where the beam of light showed him to go, but a barrier created by a demonic tree blocks his path. Edward then has to find and burn the tree's roots, which are scattered all over Central Park, thus weakening the tree enough so that Edward can set it on fire and remove the barrier. Sarah calls Edward and tells him that she found out there's another stone. Edward proceeds down into a massive cavern, and after getting through several chambers filled with puzzles and traps, Edward meets Hermes, who possesses the other stone. Hermes tells him that he split the Philosopher's stone in two, and locked himself away with his half. Edward brings Hermes back up to the surface. Sarah calls him, saying that something is happening in Room 943, and that some kind of countdown has started. Edward and Hermes drive back to the museum, their path blocked several times by large living tree roots.

They get to the museum, and as they get close to Room 943, they find Crowley, who survived the helicopter crash, holding a gun to Sarah's head, saying that he'll trade her life for the stone. Edward shoots Crowley in the head, finally killing him, and he, Sarah, and Hermes proceed into Room 943. Hermes open up a tunnel that leads to a cavern dominated by a massive gate made up of nine circles. Hermes says that this is Lucifer's gateway into reality, and he and Edward combine their halves of the Philosopher's Stone. The gate begins to light up, and Hermes states that when all nine circles are lit, Lucifer will be reincarnated. Edward picks up the stone, and starts to feel Lucifer take control of him. Sarah takes it from him to protect him, and starts to become possessed herself. At this point, the player has a choice.

If the player chooses to let Sarah live, she and Edward share a hug before she is taken over by Lucifer, who taunts Edward and asks how he likes being alone. Before he walks out of the cavern, he responds: "I'm used to it." This may possibly be a setup for a sequel.

If, however, the player chooses to kill Sarah, then her lifeless body falls off of the platform they're on. Edward takes the stone back, and he ends up being possessed by Lucifer himself. He then uses his powers to send Hermes through the gate, and the last thing the player hears after the screen fades to black is Lucifer's minions coming through the gate.

Music

The music in "Alone in the Dark" is scored by Olivier Deriviere, the same person who scored "ObsCure" and "ObsCure II". It also includes the female choir The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices. In this game, Olivier did not use a live orchestra; instead he used virtual instruments and samplers to create a realistic orchestral sound. [ [http://music.ign.com/articles/883/883767p1.html Alone In The Dark Composer Q&A] . IGN.]

Development

A tech demo was released on February 16, 2008 showing the inventory system and how items and environmental objects can be manipulated, as well as how items may be used together. [ [http://www.gametrailers.com/player/30714.html Gametrailers.com - Alone in the Dark - Real World Rules Episode 1 ] ] For example, double-sided adhesive tape can be used to attach a glow stick to a wall, creating a source of light. Another example is the player using a knife to puncture a blood pack, then throwing the blood pack creating a blood trail to lure enemies from one spot to another. A second tech demo was released on February 26, 2008 showing the realistic use of fire with various objects in the game. It also shows how objects are affected when shot. [ [http://www.gamespot.com/video/930280/6186684/alone-in-the-dark-official-movie-2 GameSpot Video: Alone in the Dark Official Movie 2 ] ] The player is seen shooting a table and subsequently one of the tables legs break off, and shatters. The player then picks this up, and lights it in a fire for a spontaneous torch. A third tech demo was released on April 18, 2008 displaying the attributes and game play mechanics of fire in the game. A fourth tech demo was released on June 3 2008 highlighting the enemies and their characteristics including what they look like and how to kill them. Your inventory is limited to what you can fit in your jacket. Everything in your environment can be used as a weapon and ally against the 'opposition'.

Limited Edition

A limited edition of the game has been announced. It has only been announced for European release; in the UK the Limited Edition is only available through GAME high street stores. Along with a copy of the game, it contains:

* A 15 cm Edward Carnby Figurine
* An art book
* A bonus 'Making Of Alone in the Dark' DVD
* A CD Audio Soundtrack

Reception

Reviews

VG Reviews
Atrip = 7.7 out of 10cite web | url = http://www.actiontrip.com/reviews/360/aloneinthedark.phtml | title = Alone in the Dark Review | accessdate = 2008-06-28 | date = 2008-06-24 | publisher = ActionTrip]
CVG = 7.3 out of 10
OXM = 8 out of 10
EuroG = 7 out of 10
GI = 6.5 out of 10cite web | url = http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/ACB92882-3733-4ABD-A8ED-D5D9555EE022.htm | title = Alone in the Dark | accessdate = 2008-06-28 | publisher = Game Informer]
rev1=IGN UK |rev1Score = 7 out of 10
IGN = 3.5 out of 10
ONM = 64 out of 100
GSpot = 6.5 out of 10
GamePro = 2.5 out of 5
GT = 7.3 out of 10cite web | url = http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35565.html | title = Alone in the Dark Review | accessdate = 2008-06-28 | date = 2008-06-26 | publisher = GameTrailers]
1UP = B-cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3168398&p=4&sec=REVIEWS | title = Reviews: Alone in the Dark | accessdate = 2008-06-28 | date = 2008-06-24 | publisher = 1UP]
GSpy = 4 out of 10
GameSpot = 6.5 out of 10
Edge=7 out of 10 citation |date=2008-08 |title=Edge |publisher=Future Publishing |volume=191 |pages=88-89]

Reception for "Alone in the Dark" ranged from good to poor. The Xbox 360 version of game has received mixed reviews, from scores of 3/10 [ [http://www.gamer.no/artikler/alone_in_the_dark/52880 ANMELDELSE: Alone in the Dark (X360) - Gamer.no ] ] [ [http://www.gamereactor.no/anmeldelser/114074/Alone+in+the+Dark/ Alone in the Dark ] ] to 8/10 [ [http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=4881 Xbox Review: Alone In The Dark - Official Xbox 360 Magazine ] ] : IGN UK awarded the game 7/10 while IGN US rated it 3.5/10. Gamepro awarded the game a 2.5/5, despite giving it the game of the month award. Reviews for the Wii version of the game are sparse. Metacritic currently has a rating of 55/100 based on 18 reviews. IGN US rated the Wii version 3.1/10, and the PS2 version 3.0/10, Eurogamer.net also rated the game 3/10.

Gamespot commented "If you can endure some vexing technical flaws, Alone in the Dark can be a clever, satisfying adventure.." [ [http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/aloneinthedark/index.html?tag=result;title;0 Gamespot - Alone in the Dark Xbox 360 Review] ] Gametrailers said "The game needed more gestation to really iron out the interface issues, but it remains an adventure worth pursuing...".

Fan reception though have been more favorable. [ [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/xbox360/my/930280.html ] ]

Backlash from Atari

After several European websites had given the game average or low ratings, publisher Atari threatened the responsible websites with lawsuits, claiming the reviews could not have been based on the final version since it was not available by the time they were published; Atari themselves had not delivered review-versions to them. The publisher suspected the reviewers to have used illegally downloaded versions of the title. However, review website Gamer.nl claims that it was in fact sent a legitimate copy of the game prior to its release by Atari executives and, after the review was published, "They explicitly told [Gamer.nl] that they only let high scoring reviews break the post-release embargo date." Gamer.nl still has the offending review posted on the website, despite Atari's wishes. [ [http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53249 Atari Sues over Negative Alone in the Dark Review, Accuses Reviewer of Piracy (Updated) - Shacknews - PC Games, PlayStation, Xbox 360 and Wii video game news, previews and dow... ] ] In addition Atari claimed that reviews were not done as demanded by the official product-review standards at all and should be deleted immediately.Most other websites have defended their reviews and refused to delete their articles. So far it is unclear whether or not Atari will decide to sue these websites. [ [http://www.4players.de/4players.php/kommentar/Spielkultur/1803943/58/index.html 4Players.de ... die Spieleversteher! ] ] [http://kotaku.com/5018149/legal-mess-over-euro-alone-in-the-dark-reviews- [update] ] In the meantime other editors of magazines specialized in gaming stated that it was possibly provoked to get attention and clicks on their websites, due to the predictability of Atari's reaction. [ [http://www.gamestar.de/community/gspinboard/showpost.php?p=8964141&postcount=29 GameStar-Pinboard - Einzelnen Beitrag anzeigen - Alone in the Dark? Was sagt Gamestar zum Skandal ] ]

Sales

As of July 30, 2008, the game has moved 1.2 million copies worldwide. [http://www.gamespot.com/news/6195234.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop;title;8 Alone in the Dark lights up Infogrames revenues - PlayStation 2 News at GameSpot] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.centraldark.com/ "Official Site]