ALONE IN THE DARK REMAKE: REIMAGINING A CLASSIC HORROR GAME

Alone in the Dark, set to launch on March 20, 2024, is a forthcoming survival horror title crafted by Pieces Interactive and brought to you by THQ Nordic. This game serves as a fresh take on the 1992 release, also titled Alone in the Dark, marking the seventh entry in the video game series of the same name. The anticipated release will be available for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S!

What’s the New Version Like?

When they announced the game, players had plenty of questions. 

• Is it a remake? 

•  remaster? 

• A completely new story?

None of that, because it’s a reimagining (reboot or restart) of the 1994 classic. 

In this revamp, we’ll once again step into the lavish mansion in Louisiana from the perspectives of Emily Hartwood and Detective Edward Carnby. Expect numerous changes not only in the overhauled graphics but also in gameplay, as we could anticipate from trying out its demo.

As for the plot, the synopsis goes like this: “In the southern United States during the 1920s, Emily Hartwood’s uncle has disappeared. She turns to the mansion seeking answers, accompanied by detective Edward Carnby. 

Together, they’ll discover that the mansion is, in reality, a psychiatric asylum filled with strange patients, gateways to nightmare realms, and dangers in various forms. Unveiling the veil of an evil conspiracy, reality, mystery, and madness blend before us. What will you trust, what will you believe, and what will you do next?”

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Will there be sequels in the future?

The mere fact that a franchise like this is making a comeback is something worth celebrating. However, players are insatiable and pose the million-dollar question: Does this reboot mark a new era for the series? Will we see more installments? 

These are questions that THQ Nordic has also addressed through the words of Andreas Schmiedecker in an interview with GamingBolt. He makes it clear that they are “committed [to the IP] for the long term” and are excited about the prospect of continuing to explore it in the future, as long as the game performs well commercially.

Game Mechanics

Alone in the Dark will adopt an “over-the-shoulder” third-person perspective, departing from the fixed camera angles seen in the original game. This approach aligns with the choice made by the Resident Evil franchise in their recent remakes. Combat options include the use of firearms or melee weapons, as demonstrated in the unveiling trailer.

Development

A remake of the original game was initially in development by Eden Games after the release of Alone in the Dark: Inferno. However, the project was canceled following the liquidation of the studio by Atari in 2013. After the lukewarm reception of Alone in the Dark: Illumination, Atari SA sold the franchise to THQ Nordic in September 2018. Pieces Interactive, known for Magicka 2, commenced development in 2019, incorporating an original plot that features characters from the first three Alone in the Horror games. 

The team drew inspiration from the success of Resident Evil 2 (2019) and Resident Evil 3 (2020). The game’s writing is credited to Mikael Hedberg, who previously worked on Soma and Amnesia: The Dark Descent at Frictional Games. Renowned artist Guy Davis, recognized for his collaboration with Guillermo del Toro and his comic series The Marquis, designed the monsters in the game. 

Series creator Frédérick Raynal endorsed the reimagining, praising Pieces Interactive for preserving the “core feeling” from the original.

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Release dates

Alone in the Dark was unveiled at THQ Nordic‘s Showcase in August 2022. A free demo named “Grace in the Dark: Prologue” was released on May 25, 2023, for all platforms. 

Initially scheduled for release on October 25, 2023, the game faced two delays, first to January 16, 2024, and then to March 20, 2024, to avoid a rushed release during the Christmas holidays.