Alone in the Dark is another frustrating reboot for the classic horror series

Contrary to how it may appear in certain other circles, not all reviewers take pleasure in writing negative reviews of games.

Every time a new release underwhelms, we share criticism acutely aware that a team of people worked on that game, and that a low-scoring review can have an actual impact.

If it pains our heart to criticise a game for this reason, the Deluxe Edition of Alone in the Dark really jams the stake in and gives it a little twist. It includes a fantastic commentary mode in which a large number of floating microphones are dotted around the game, and selecting each one lets you hear different developers explain in great detail how certain scenes, story beats, environments or characters were created.

It’s clear from these commentaries that a great deal of love and went into the making of this game, which is why it’s all the more disappointing that it really fails to strike a chord on any level.

The 2024 version of Alone in the Dark is the third attempt to reboot Infogrames’ iconic 1992 survival horror classic, following similar releases in 2001 and 2008. This one’s a lot closer to the original, and while it doesn’t tell the exact same story its 1920s Louisiana setting, its use of the same characters and its numerous references and easter eggs make it clear that the first game is the most direct influence.

Detective Edward Carnby (played by Stranger Things’ David Harbour) has been hired by Emily Hartwood (Killing Eve and The Last Guy’s Jodie Comer) to accompany her on her search for her uncle Jeremy, who’s gone missing. Jeremy’s last whereabouts were at the Deserto mansion, a home for the ‘mentally fatigued’, and so begins a trip to find out what’s going on.

In a similar style to the early Resident Evil games, players can choose to play as either Edward or Emily, with each providing a different experience. Without wishing to spoil anything, the game encourages multiple playthroughs – while it initially seems that both characters are following the same story