Alone-in-the-Dark posts (Subscribe to this feed)

New Alan Wake details emerge into the cold, hard light of day

by Ben Gilbert { Mar 28th 2009 at 10:45PM }

We're not quite sure how, considering the media blackout approach that Alan Wake developer Remedy Entertainment has taken, but Norwegian gaming site Gamer.no sat down for dinner with head of franchise development for Remedy, Oskari Häkkinen, this past week. New details were (unsurprisingly) scant, though we were able to glean a handful of facts from the interview. For instance, the game has, "a lot less action than Max Payne," the studio's last franchise which recently had a current-gen update announced.

Aside from an emphasis on story, Mr. Häkkinen says that weather effects will play a role in gameplay, specifically noting (by way of a strange sounding Google translation from Norwegian), "Everything in the game can be influenced by the weather. If you are running the car, run conditions will be worse by heavy rain, than if the weather was good ... the weather is dynamic, since it will influence how you play the game."

Furthermore, Mr. Häkkinen tells Gamer.no that, "Lighting is very important in the game, and this is a unique item that really has not been used in the game before on the way we do it." The obvious comparison here would be to last year's conceptually strong Alone in the Dark -- here's hoping Remedy can deliver on the lighting concept where Alone in the Dark more or less failed.

So, we officially still know little-to-nothing! We'll keep an eye out for information at E3 2009 in June, but, ya know, we're not holding our breath or anything.

[Via IGN]

Gallery: Alan Wake

Metareview -- Alone in the Dark ... Inferno! (PS3)

by Jason Dobson { Nov 26th 2008 at 7:30PM }

Not even leaving the PS3 version of Alone in the Dark on broil for several months was enough to bake out all of the problems maligning Atari's Central Park adventure. While so far the game has escaped the bulk of scathing reviews enjoyed by its Xbox 360 and PC cousins, the re-dubbed Alone in the Dark: Inferno still left many reviewers lukewarm with tepid gameplay resting beneath the title's extra-crispy exterior.

1UP (B-): "Alone in the Dark still has problems; all the technical fixes in the world can't make up for the dopey plot, unsatisfying endings, and the ridiculous reliance on fire to kill virtually all of the game's enemies, and the new PS3 sequence basically amounts to a bonus boss encounter that isn't enough to draw in anyone who's already played the game."
Game Informer (73/100): "Unfortunately, the clumsy story remains the same and I still came across the occasional glitch. But make no mistake, Inferno is the definitive version of Alone in the Dark."
Eurogamer (70/100): "It's easier to forgive the problems that remain, but you still have to accept that you'll be thrown in the deep end a lot, and that a layer of polish is still absent."
Play UK (70/100): "Once you end up burning Lucifer's roots in Central Park there is still the problem of the whole thing just being not very good."

Trophies: Alone in the Dark Inferno

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 20th 2008 at 5:00PM }

	1 Platinum 3 Gold 3 Silver 43 Bronze	Difficulty: Very Easy Online Trophies? No Time to Completion: 8 hours DLC Trophies? No
	View Trophy List	Read More About the Game

Gallery: Alone in the Dark Inferno

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Alone in the Deal of the Day

by JC Fletcher { Nov 19th 2008 at 11:55AM }

Atari's latest attempt to restart the Alone in the Dark franchise may have been disappointing at $50, but we can't help but wonder how much less disappointing it is as a $10 game. The lowered expectations that come with the price may be just the thing! If you only had enough interest in the game to justify spending that amount, chances are you've rented it already. If not, today's Amazon Deal of the Day may interest you. For today only, they've dropped the price of the Wii (and PS2) Alone in the Dark to $9.98.

If cheap Atlus games are your thing, and if you have yet to hear about this, Amazon also currently has a bunch of Atlus games on sale for $19.96, including Dokapon Kingdom, Trauma Center: New Blood, and Baroque on the Wii.

Gallery: Alone in the Dark

Alone in the Dark: Inferno heating up Europe November 14th

by Alan Tsang { Nov 3rd 2008 at 4:15PM }

Atari has announced the European release date for their reworking of Alone in the Dark, which was released earlier in the year for just about every other console. Gaining the subtitle of Inferno, the PlayStation 3 release will debut in Europe on November 14th (US gamers will see the game on the 18th) and will contain the definitive version of the game featuring better controls, improved inventory system and an extra sequence found in one of the episodes. Still undecided about the game? Check out our hands-on impressions or try out the demo up on the PSN right now.

Gallery: Alone in the Dark Inferno

Alone in the Dark gets new subtitle for PS3: Inferno

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 10th 2008 at 7:30PM }

So, apparently the PS3 version of Alone in the Dark is so radically different from the 360 version, that it merits a brand new title. Eden Studios has tried its best to appease critics of the original release by taking their feedback and rolling it into this new premium PS3 edition. Alone in the Dark: Inferno, as it will be called when it finally launches on PS3, is the definitive version of the game. Not only will it have better controls, but it will even have additional gameplay in the form of an extra chapter.

We have preview code waiting for us back in the US. Once we get our hands on it, you'll certainly find out if Eden Studios was successful. Trailer is embedded after the break. (You must be 18 or older to watch -- it's an M rated game, y'know.)

Gallery: Alone in the Dark Inferno

Continued →

Fixed Alone in the Dark gets new name for PS3

by Jason Dobson { Oct 10th 2008 at 4:55PM }

Those fixes promised for the upcoming PS3 version of Alone in the Dark are substantial. So much so that Atari and developer Eden Games have decided to rebrand their survival horror romp through Central Park with a fiery subtitle, Alone in the Dark: Inferno. Set for release on November 18, the new version aims to correct many of the annoyances found in last June's release, changes Atari notes were fuelled by media and player feedback, and not -- repeat not -- by a Edward Carnby-shaped totem set ablaze on their front lawn.

Inferno's changes include "quicker and smoother" controls and 360-degree camera control, as well as a "more logical" inventory system, improved car handling and a better tip system. Atari also promises "an exclusive new sequence" in one portion of the game for more "excitement and variety." As for those of you who purchased the fettered Xbox 360 version, we're waiting to hear back from Atari if plans exist to patch that version, or if players should simply get used to watching Edward Carnby roast in a 'technically complicated' fire.

PS3 Fanboy hands-on: Alone in the Dark

by David Craddock { Sep 17th 2008 at 8:30PM }

During a recent Atari-sponsored hands-on event, Alone in the Dark designer Emile Morel licked his lips, opened his mouth, and closed it. He smiled and leaned back in his chair, spread his hands, then let them drop into his lap. "When the Alone in the Dark released in June, we were... we were kind of disappointed by some of the reviews," he finally said with a laugh.

"Disappointed" does appropriately articulate the feeling of many critics and consumers toward developer Eden Studios' action-horror title. Plagued by cumbersome controls, a camera that didn't believe in personal space, confusing inventory management, and treating the slaughter of enemies as a chore instead of a delight, Eden is approaching the PS3 release of Alone in the Dark as a second chance, an opportunity to show gamers that they care enough about their product to correct what was indisputably a painful release.

Continued →

Eden 'can't promise' PS3 Alone in the Dark fixes for 360

by Randy Nelson { Sep 12th 2008 at 9:00PM }

Remember all those new features Eden is working into the PS3 release of Alone in the Dark? Oh, or how, upon announcing them, the developer also said they'd be arriving as a patch for the Xbox 360 version? Now the tune has hit a sour note, according to MTV Multiplayer.

Game designer Emile Morel says that Eden is, "Trying to do a patch," but that "it's technically complicated," saying that, if anything, the control and camera fixes will be implemented; don't expect the new subway chase sequence in the PS3 release to show up. There's evidently also an issue with the actual estimated size of the patch not sitting too well with Microsoft.

So now it's not only a case of if the patch will happen but when. Morel says that the decision to patch or not to patch might actually depend on the success of the PS3 version, and that the team probably won't get around to working on it until the release for Sony's machine goes gold.

Alone in the Dark gets better controls, new action scene

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 22nd 2008 at 9:30AM }

It looks like the PS3 version of Alone in the Dark really is getting quite a significant revamp. A number of changes have been chronicled at Gamespot, with the game's major changes coming from the controls. Edward, the game's lead protagonist is now more agile, being able to move around in a quicker less "tank-like" manner. A new camera will make things easier to see -- expect players to die less frequently on the PS3 thanks to the easier controls and improved camera.

But that's not all. The innovative inventory system still returns, but players can now quickly select items with the D-Pad. Driving has also been far improved, with much more realistic suspension. Your female companion will scream directions during the much-too-confusing driving segments, assisting players greatly. Finally, the PS3 version will also get an added scene in the game's sixth act that takes place in the subway. "It involves a subway train, a large enemy, and lots of explosives--we'll say no more about it for now, for fear of spoiling it for you."

Will all these changes help improve the overall experience on the PS3? We're hopeful. Expect more before the game's release in November.

Gallery: Alone in the Dark Inferno

PS3 Alone in the Dark fixes coming to 360

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 21st 2008 at 5:00PM }

There are a lot of things that Alone in the Dark does very well. Building yourself a Molotov cocktail and subsequently taping a box of ammunition to it is not without its charm. Throwing said contraption onto a hapless zombie? Well that's just awesome. Unfortunately, other much more simple things, like camera controls, driving and combat can be a chore. Thankfully, it looks like developer Eden games if fixing many of these issues in the PS3 version. Even better, an upcoming patch should implement many of the improvements into the Xbox 360 version.

For example, Edward Carnby, the game's protagonist, now runs by default (rather than when the A button is held). Walking is accomplished by gently pushing the analog stick (what a revolutionary idea). Many other changes, including a better -- and manually controlled -- camera and improved driving controls, improve the game substantially according to Eurogamer. Exactly which PS3 improvements will make it into the 360 version remains unclear, but we'll happily take anything that can improve Alone in the Dark's more annoying aspects.

GC 2008: Eden bringing Alone in the Dark PS3 fixes to Xbox 360 with patch

by Randy Nelson { Aug 21st 2008 at 1:25PM }

Did you find yourself driven just a wee bit mad by some of the design decisions in Alone in the Dark for Xbox 360? Well, you're not alone, and developer Eden Games isn't in the dark about what it did wrong.

During a Leipzig Games Convention presentation, the studio owned up to the title's shortcomings, promising that a number of them are being addressed in the upcoming PS3 version. Specifically, the camerawork is different (it's pulled back more, and players will have free control using the right analog stick); the player character, Edward Carnby, runs by default; and the atrociously twitchy car handling has been mellowed out.

While this is good news for PS3 owners still eager to experience the game, they won't be the only ones to reap the benefits of Eden's hindsight and extra development time. It's been announced that an upcoming patch will bring these fixes – and potentially more – to the 360 version, although no firm date has been given for its release (it'll presumably hit when the PS3 game does in November).

Alone in the Dark may debut with budget price

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 18th 2008 at 9:15PM }

The long-delayed PS3 version of Alone in the Dark looks to be coming with enhancements ... and a price cut? A Gamestop listing shows Atari's survival horror game with a very nice price of $30. Of course, considering the overwhelmingly negative critical reviews it received when it debuted on Xbox 360, a lower price may still not justify a purchase. It's up to Atari to prove whether or not the added development time given to the PS3 build will make it a better product.

[Thanks, Kevin B.!]

Fanswag: Alone in the Dark goes to ...

by David Hinkle { Aug 12th 2008 at 11:59PM }

Sadly, we only had one copy of Alone in the Dark to giveaway. The lucky person who was able to nab it? Why, that's none other than:

Fin Diesel

Better luck next time to all of you that entered. And, to everyone, thanks for reading!

Gallery: Alone in the Dark

Alone in the Dark's 'enhanced' PS3 version at Leipzig

by Majed Athab { Aug 11th 2008 at 1:50PM }

Sure, the PS3 version of Alone in the Dark is coming in November, but that's really quite a long time from now. The earliest chance for you to get your grubby hands on the title is this August 21-24 when Games Convention 2008 kicks off in Leipzig, Germany. It'll be the first time for the public to try out the newly "enhanced" PS3 version.

These enhancements, however, can't possibly mean too much considering Atari remains mum on the details. Supposedly, bugs found from the already-released versions of the game (out now on every other major system) should be fixed and "a number of gameplay enhancements" are to be added. In all fairness, perhaps Leipzig will be the time when these new "enhancements" will be fully fleshed out.