Uusually I'm quite upfront if something doesn't erach a certain level of quality ,and I'm not afraid to bust chops if there is serious beefs to be had. However, with games like Alone in the Dark, I am somewhat miffed about what to say about it. On one hand they are really trying to innovate, but there are gaping issues to be had. Let's start at the beginning of this paradoxical game.
The game is somehwat of a bridge of old and new for Alone in the Dark. It starts with you,some yet to be identified amnesiac meatbag waking up about to be shot and tossed off a building. However, osme shit happens, something to do with walls and floors full of live cracks that suck people in and spit out monstrosities that want human blood... so a slight twist on that horror cliche.. oh and the building's on fire and collapsing. As you go along you learn that you are Edward Carnby of the original Alone in the Dark fame. How'd you get in to modern day New York, and why do you look so MANLY without your muttonchops? needless to say the story's decent enough in that exists, and to me was satisfying enough that I didn't do what I did when I played FEAR(which was round in full lols mode).there are a couple of plot-driven spots in the game which ARE tedious, but they're more mechanics than actual plot. Anyhoo, all you need to know is it's a solid plot, it'll get you from A-B.
The graphics are very nice, I will be the first to admit. heck, They were so nice they forced me down from maximum res and settings on my surday reliable PC Cassidy. What I do like is the stark world they've created around the location of Central Park. You've got this safe and familiar place, which at night becomes just that little bit creepier, then thrown all over place are these bits of evil sprouting it's ugly face. And then there's the creepy enemies you face, all tweaked on acid.
So the game's a visual smorgasbord, what could be wrong? It's certainly not the sounds or voiceovers. Plenty of Charisma in both, and especially in the soundtrack. The soundtrack is guaranteedly delicious, with an interesting twist on classical horror suite by throwing into the fray some delicous choral vocals. In short, sound isn't it.
And innovative gameplay isn't a problem.. an awesome fire propogation system and lights system that combined with a KKND-style mix'n'match inventory makes for a powerfully flexible system of delivering death.
I think where Alone in the Dark really takes a thrashing from everyone is the controls. Sadly, I'm inclined to agree. This game is so very fresh as an experience, but the controls are a complete mindfuck to understand sometimes. Getting onto a rope is fine.. and I can sort of understand their choice to have a Use and "un-use" kinda button, they make sense.... BUT WHY IN GOD'S NAME is there a Jump off rope button, and WHY is it on the other side of the keyboard from everything else?! That was a fucking stupid move there. furthermore, the movement is clumsy, and the free-position melee position, despite being really neat in concept, resulted in more agony that felt only a hijack shot of playing Touhou.Once you get your head around the bizzarre french controls though, the game makes a bit more sense. you just have to sort of play the game rather than let the game play you. But yes, big letdown in controls. They're crap and they should feel ashamed.
Overally, I don't think that just bad controls were enough to stop me enjoying an otherwise entertaining game, though they did really test me sometimes. For that, I can't say that I LOVE this game and to reccommend it for everyone because it's awesome.. I will reccommend for everyone to play it to see what they think. No doubt they'll come to a similar to the conclusion I'm about to make.
The Game has it's heart set in the right place, and everything works well enough most of the time, but there are serious control issies and implementation things that I just cannot ignore.
The game is somehwat of a bridge of old and new for Alone in the Dark. It starts with you,some yet to be identified amnesiac meatbag waking up about to be shot and tossed off a building. However, osme shit happens, something to do with walls and floors full of live cracks that suck people in and spit out monstrosities that want human blood... so a slight twist on that horror cliche.. oh and the building's on fire and collapsing. As you go along you learn that you are Edward Carnby of the original Alone in the Dark fame. How'd you get in to modern day New York, and why do you look so MANLY without your muttonchops? needless to say the story's decent enough in that exists, and to me was satisfying enough that I didn't do what I did when I played FEAR(which was round in full lols mode).there are a couple of plot-driven spots in the game which ARE tedious, but they're more mechanics than actual plot. Anyhoo, all you need to know is it's a solid plot, it'll get you from A-B.
The graphics are very nice, I will be the first to admit. heck, They were so nice they forced me down from maximum res and settings on my surday reliable PC Cassidy. What I do like is the stark world they've created around the location of Central Park. You've got this safe and familiar place, which at night becomes just that little bit creepier, then thrown all over place are these bits of evil sprouting it's ugly face. And then there's the creepy enemies you face, all tweaked on acid.
So the game's a visual smorgasbord, what could be wrong? It's certainly not the sounds or voiceovers. Plenty of Charisma in both, and especially in the soundtrack. The soundtrack is guaranteedly delicious, with an interesting twist on classical horror suite by throwing into the fray some delicous choral vocals. In short, sound isn't it.
And innovative gameplay isn't a problem.. an awesome fire propogation system and lights system that combined with a KKND-style mix'n'match inventory makes for a powerfully flexible system of delivering death.
I think where Alone in the Dark really takes a thrashing from everyone is the controls. Sadly, I'm inclined to agree. This game is so very fresh as an experience, but the controls are a complete mindfuck to understand sometimes. Getting onto a rope is fine.. and I can sort of understand their choice to have a Use and "un-use" kinda button, they make sense.... BUT WHY IN GOD'S NAME is there a Jump off rope button, and WHY is it on the other side of the keyboard from everything else?! That was a fucking stupid move there. furthermore, the movement is clumsy, and the free-position melee position, despite being really neat in concept, resulted in more agony that felt only a hijack shot of playing Touhou.Once you get your head around the bizzarre french controls though, the game makes a bit more sense. you just have to sort of play the game rather than let the game play you. But yes, big letdown in controls. They're crap and they should feel ashamed.
Overally, I don't think that just bad controls were enough to stop me enjoying an otherwise entertaining game, though they did really test me sometimes. For that, I can't say that I LOVE this game and to reccommend it for everyone because it's awesome.. I will reccommend for everyone to play it to see what they think. No doubt they'll come to a similar to the conclusion I'm about to make.
The Game has it's heart set in the right place, and everything works well enough most of the time, but there are serious control issies and implementation things that I just cannot ignore.
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