"BUTCHERED CORPSES ADD TO THE PSYCHOLICAL SCARE FACTOR...A HUGE GAME" (Alone In The Dark - The New Nightmare (PS2))

Member Name: ps2update

Product:	Alone In The Dark - The New Nightmare (PS2)
Date:	22/02/02 (239 review reads)
Rating:

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Long before the days of Resident Evil, or indeed Silent Hill there was Alone In The Dark. Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare is the forth instalment in the series, and has the potential to be the best. Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare is available for the PC, and PSONE, as well as the PS2.

GRAPHICS

The gamer is treated to some very nice FMV as Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare commences. The FMV is graphically superb - no great surprise here. When in the game, the areas, and objects are all fairly detailed, although the graphics are occasionally jagged spoiling the overall smooth feel to the game (this usually only occurs with characters). An eerie flashlight shows the way to travel, the gamer can only see as far as the flashlight can see, this adds to the realistic, and damn right spooky atmosphere. A flashlight reminds one of traditional horror films, and the original Silent Hill. Small details such as the splash of raindrops are included in the game, as Infogrames have tried to make this as realistic as possible. Camera angles switch between various views so that the gamer doesn't know quite what to expect next. Changing camera angles are now expected in horror games, so it would have been odd had there not been changing camera angles. The camera will run behind the character, look at a side view, or (in an FMV) even assume the persona of the character speaking, or listening. Close up details such as the splatter of blood, and butchered corpses add to the psychological scare factor. The general colour of Alone In The Dark is black, the darkness covers up a few graphical errors meaning Infogrames can get away with a few glitches but unfortunately it does not hide everything ugly. Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare is graphically done well, contrasting a dim light with the darkness (brilliant lighting effects), however it is let down due to jagged characters in places.
16/20

GAMEPLAY

As with all great horror g
ames Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare has a gripping storyline; the gamer plays as either Edward Carnby, or Aline Cedrac. Both characters have separate agendas on Shadow Island, but to find out the exact details it is best that one plays it for themselves so nothing is given away. The New Nightmare combines action and puzzles, adding in a healthy dose of fear and plot. Enemies respond differently depending on their type, some enemies will fear the light, meaning that if you shine the torch on them they will not attack you, others will run at you menacingly giving you little time to react; however the enemy behaves the gamer has the necessary equipment to fend them off, whether it be artillery, or a simple torch. Puzzles in Alone In The Dark are not the most taxing, while battles are fairly standard so to speak. That said one couldn't deny the excitement and sheer fear as you run around a room trying to keep the enemy at bay. The control system is easy to master as it is very similar to previous horror games such as Resident Evil and Ominusha. Unfortunately loading times slow down Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare, inevitably meaning the fast paced gameplay loses its excitement and speed when one continuously goes through doors. Zombies, creatures, and just plain freaks falling over in pain prove satisfying and fun, while it lasts.
18/25

SOUND

Voice acting is far from perfect in Alone In The Dark, something that the team will have to work on for the fifth instalment (providing there is one). Although the acting in the game isn't good, the script helps the flow of The New Nightmare as it explains parts of the game that one wouldn't understand without speech. The music is what one would expect from a horror game although it isn't as elaborate as anything from a Resident Evil game. When attacking enemies they sound in genuine pain, and when they attack you, you also sound in pain. Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare is reali
stic in the sense that everything sounds, as it should be; the shot of the gun, the patter of footsteps, the groans, and the thuds: everything is here.
18/20

LIFESPAN

Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare is a huge game as far as survival horror games go; there is so much to do. All survival horror gamers will play the game as both Aline and Edward as things are much more different when playing as different characters than say Resident Evil. Once completing the game though there is very little else to do, and the replay value is small due to this. While Alone In The Dark lasts it is hugely entertaining and utterly unnerving, and in comparison with both Resident Evil and Silent Hill it will last longer. This should keep you going a month, or two to totally complete the game.
22/25

ORIGINALITY
Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare offers few new touches to the horror genre; the creeks of doors, and blend of puzzles and action are all here. However what The New Nightmare has done is took the torch idea from Silent Hill and elaborated on it. Enemies actually fearing the torch, and light has not been done to such a degree before and due to this the game has a fairly unique feel to it.
7/10

OVERALL

Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare certainly gives Resident Evil, and Silent Hill something to think about, although it doesn't quite better them. Anybody whom is a die-hard fan of the survival horror genre should get this game, but if not them rent it before purchasing it. Darkworks and Infogrames have came up with a little gem in The New Nightmare?just think how bad the next nightmare will be?

81%

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