Alone in the Dark (2024) revives and reboots classic survival horror with eerie atmosphere, Lovecraftian mystery, and clever puzzles despite some technical issues. The dual-protagonist approach provides distinct perspectives on the supernatural events unfolding at Derceto Manor on PC.
It remains a compelling choice for fans seeking a classic mystery.
Alone In The Dark (2024)
Released: March 20th, 2024
Developer(s): Pieces Interactive
Publisher(s): THQ Nordic
Platform(s):
Completed on PC, both Carnby and Emily at least once.
HowLongToBeat Time: 7.5 hours | My Clear Time: 13 hours 20 mins.
Additional Note: Multiple patches have been released since the review was published on April 13th.
Alone In The Dark (2024) Background
This year marks the third reboot of Alone in the Dark, with Mikael Hedberg (the writer behind Amnesia and SOMA) taking over as writer and director. He is joined by Guy Davis, the monster designer famous for his work on Pacific Rim and Crimson Peak. The game launched on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. It even got a public blessing from the original series creator, Frédérick Raynal, who said the team did a great job capturing the core feeling of the game and went further than he ever expected they could 30 years ago.
‘I think that Mikael and the team at Pieces did a great job preserving the core feeling of the game. They even went further than everything I could expect 30 years ago‘.
(PlayStation, 2023)
Carnby explores the eerie halls of Derceto Manor in Alone in the Dark (2024).
Alone In The Dark (2024) Experience
My last brush with this series was the 2008 reboot, which didn’t really keep my interest for long. After finishing this 2024 version, I actually went out and grabbed the GOG versions of the original trilogy and The New Nightmare, along with Inferno on PS3. I have cleared almost every major survival horror title, from the entire Dead Space series to nearly every Resident Evil and Silent Hill game, so I went into this with a lot of expectations.
Carnby and Emily find a hidden painting in one of the manor’s many rooms.
Alone In The Dark (2024) Impressions
The combat has that fun, slightly clunky feeling of old-school horror titles like the original Silent Hill. It pulls a lot of inspiration from the earlier games in the series to make this reboot feel authentic. The writing is exactly what I was hoping for: a campy, B-movie style that feels like something Sam Raimi would have directed. Fans of Evil Dead will find a lot to love here.
Thematically, the game leans deep into the H.P. Lovecraft vibes of the 1992 original. The music is fantastic and fits the adventurous, eerie atmosphere perfectly. The puzzles actually make you stop and think, forcing you to cross-reference riddles with the lore notes you find scattered around Derceto Manor.
The map is essential for navigating the twists and turns of Derceto.
Alone In The Dark (2024) Verdict
Alone in the Dark hooked me with its trippy atmosphere and its heavy use of Lovecraftian horror. The soundtrack is a highlight and sets the mood for both Edward and Emily’s playthroughs. The campy writing adds a lot of charm, making the whole experience feel like a fun, spooky interactive movie.
I did run into some technical hurdles like shader stutter and the occasional “Fatal Error” crash, but the game was still worth the trouble. It finally lives up to the potential the 2008 reboot missed. This is a great example of how to reboot a classic series with respect. I’m hopeful this gets the recognition it needs to pave the way for a sequel.
Alone In The Dark (2024) TLDR
Alone in the Dark (2024) (PC)
Alone in the Dark (2024) revives classic survival horror with eerie atmosphere, Lovecraftian mystery, and clever puzzles despite some technical issues. The dual-protagonist approach provides distinct perspectives on the supernatural events at Derceto Manor on PC.
It remains a compelling choice for fans seeking a classic mystery.
References
- YouTube (2019, October 15). [Video] Alone in the Dark – Official Trailer.
