Bringing back the glories of the past may seem like an easy exercise, but in reality, it’s not really. The success of the Resident Evil 2 remake has, however, opened a big gap into which studios and publishers no longer hesitate to rush. In 2023, for example, we saw the oh-so-successful rebirth of Dead Space. And while waiting for Silent Hill 2 Remake, Alone in the Dark attempts to imitate its little comrades with a reimagining/reboot of the original work, considered revolutionary at the time.
The Alone in the Dark captain returns
Alone in the Dark takes us back to Louisiana in the 1920s for a rereading of the original scenario. Here, young Emilly Hartwood hires detective Edward Carnby to investigate the disappearance of her uncle, Jeremy Hartwood, from the Derceto mansion after receiving a disturbing letter to say the least. The man no longer died of suicide in the attic of the said location, unlike in the 1992 game, but his life still seems in danger. To try to save him, and still have two points of view of the same story, we successively play Emily and Edward, knowing that we are free to take one or the other of the characters at the start of the adventure . The video game landscape being what it is today, with much more colossal resources, the developers also called on real actors to play the two protagonists. We thus find Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) in the skin of Emily Hartwood and David Harbor (Stranger Things) as Edward Carnby.
On paper, Alone in the Dark therefore ensures that it respects the original work, paying even greater attention to the narration and bringing it to another dimension with experienced actors. The intentions are there, but the result does not follow, the game gets lost quite quickly and loses us at the same time. From the outset, it is extremely difficult to find credibility in the events taking place before our eyes, and in the reactions of the characters. Our two protagonists have this tendency to be constantly in the fog, while accepting everything that happens or everything that other NPCs say to them, without batting an eyelid. Behaviors which demonstrate a major problem of ludonarrative dissonance.
So yes, on the one hand, we can easily say that it is part of the story and this strange atmosphere that emerges throughout. Especially since Pieces Interactive claims very special influences in their genre: the film Angel Heart by Alan Parker (Midnight Express), with Robert De Niro and Mickey Rourke, as well as the phenomenal Twin Peaks series by David Lynch. We clearly perceive this here and there, but Alone in the Dark definitely does not box in the same category and it is even very far from it. There is no problem in having a complicated, nebulous narrative, but you still have to know how to land on your feet and captivate the player, which he cannot do. It’s not Remedy (Control, Alan Wake…) who wants…
Likewise, with such a vocal cast, we expected much better performance from the actors and above all added value. However, we can only come away completely disappointed by these headliners. “He is capable of making funny moments funny, and very intense dramatic moments” could we hear a few months ago about David Harbour, from screenwriter Mikael Hedberg (SOMA). Don’t look for things to move you or make you laugh, you’ll come up short. David Harbor is nevertheless a very good actor, but his talent never shines through, he is there without being there and he seems to read lines on a chain, just like his playmate. And the lack of means, which has repercussions on the modeling, animation and expressions of the avatars of the two actors does not help anything. There are real big failures in everything related to the narrative coating and the staging of events.
An air of Resident Evil deja vu
And yet, Alone in the Dark is quite unique and benefits from a general atmosphere which could have been extremely gripping. Having a survival horror that takes place in a region like Louisiana, which has strong cinematic references, coupled with a film noir atmosphere, it clearly stands out from the crowd. Not to mention that Edward and Emily’s investigation is punctuated by big doom jazz pieces, again, very refreshing. We therefore see that this remake undeniably has qualities, but we only have the feeling of completely wasted potential at the end. The staging remains much too flat like everything else, even though the title never skimps on throwing more dreamlike sequences in our faces. The Derceto mansion is not a place like any other and you will see it from the first hours.
But despite this, we are more the spectator of a series of scenes which never carry us away, which never frighten us or which do not even put us under tension. It is rather boredom which takes hold of us and regularly slows down our desire to go further in this adventure which should be compared more to a thriller than to a survival horror. And the encounter with the first enemy illustrates quite well the many criticisms that can be made of the game. It’s a moment like any other and still has no impact on our two protagonists. A bit like if a work colleague was talking to you by telling you that he ate an apple for lunch. Uninteresting as hell, isn’t it? Well, it’s the same.
As a result, it’s really complicated, or even clearly impossible, to justify a second part for us, especially since the adventure is very similar from one character to another. The two versions of Resident Evil 2 could afford to adopt such a format, with several scenarios, because the base was made of reinforced concrete. Here, that is not the case at all. Alone in the Dark Remake also fails miserably when it wants to establish more dynamic scenes of escape – with the protagonists who can be stuck briefly in mid-run while the script gets off to a good start – or even a certain rhythm and to maintain it.
The fault of too much emphasis on exploration and puzzles? We might be tempted to say so, but that would be a lie. The fact that Alone in the Dark doesn’t go into over-the-top combat isn’t the main problem. Puzzles are one of the backbones of the survival horror genre, and it is therefore to the game’s credit to respect this. On the other hand, the variety of the latter is sorely lacking and we quickly go in circles. The majority of puzzles require putting the pieces of a drawing in the correct order, for example. And it’s more than a shame since the title makes the effort to offer an old-fashioned experience for players who want it. In fact, you can choose between two modes, “Modern” and “Old-fashioned”, before even selecting your character. The difference ? The first provides advice and information to progress, as in any action-adventure game. The second deactivates these aids to let you think more like in the days of old Resident Evil. For example an option, set independently of Modern mode, can highlight puzzles that can be solved on the map when you have gathered the necessary elements.
Modern action that leaves something to be desired
Alone in the Dark therefore demonstrates more modernity with regard to the puzzles, without spoiling the pleasure of those who do not want to be held 100% by the hand, but also of its combat and orders in short. No more fixed camera angles and Tank controls, this remake is now in third person like recent titles, including RE2 Remake, Resident Evil 4 Remake etc. For the best or for the worst ? We are unfortunately old enough to be old school, but we accept both approaches. In any case, Alone in the Dark version 2024 surely could not have sold by retaining the old type of controls and camera from start to finish.
Now, the problem is that there is also a clear lack of finishing in the confrontations. The movements are heavy, but it corresponds with this idea that we should feel weak and not be a war machine. However, it is far from optimal and we found ourselves unable to fire a second round with our shotgun on several occasions. When we are backed into a corner with or several enemies, and we cannot defend ourselves, we grit our teeth. An annoying failure in the fluidity of actions which can, according to what we have seen, be compensated for by the use of dodging. Because yes, there is a button to escape before an attack, but the game never tells you. Fortunately, pressing all the buttons is part of the experience of any title…
Sometimes, it’s the level design that confuses the fights and makes them more complex for not much. This is particularly noticeable during the final boss fight, where you can at times get stuck and die with a single hit, due to the layout of the stage. But also when we are invited to grab molotov cocktails or bricks from the scenery in order to burn our adversaries or delay them. A gimmick that was perhaps taken from The Last of Us 2, but it was missed! The tools are ultimately more incidental than anything else given that the enemies are very weak and the ammunition is plentiful if you stick to Normal mode. If you go up a notch, they will be more robust, but since combat is not the game’s strong point, there is little point in going for a more hardcore experience.
The bestiary is also very weak, but on the other hand, the rendering of the weapons is rather satisfactory. It still feels like you’re shooting at somewhat foamy targets, but at least the blasters have a good impact. When it’s not the level design, the combat or collision bugs that slow down or even prevent our progress, it’s the technique that begins to falter. If you want to avoid any frustration, give up on the “Quality” mode at 30fps, which is a victim of frame pacing like other software. In any case, since the game is not a lightning war, you will not necessarily lose. However, you clearly gain in fluidity, and that will change everything. Once again, the overall lack of finish stands out.