It’s an exciting time for classic horror games. Within the trend of rebooting past franchises,Dead Space, System Shock,andAlone In The Darkare among the most anxiously awaited horror video games brought back from the dead. Given the universally acclaimed reception of theDead Spaceremake and the colossal boost next-generation technology gave to the 2008 game, the future bodes well for other remakes hoping to achieve the same impact. Specifically,Alone In The Darkmight be the oldest game being rebooted, but the remake needs to stand on its own.
Not only isAlone In The Darkone of the few horror classics chosen for the coveted “modern remake” status, but its 1992 release also established a record for the “First Ever 3D Survival Horror Game,” according to Guinness Records. Although the first game in the franchise was developed by the now-defunct Atari developer Infogrames, numerous games were released as part of the series. Unfortunately, sequels likeAlone In The Dark 2and the 2008Alone In The Darkwere consistently ignored in favor ofResident EvilandAmnesia: The Dark Descent. The upcoming remake has the chance to reestablish the franchise for modern audiences.
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Alone In The Dark and the Early Survival Horror Genre
The horror genre has been going through a renaissance in the last decade, with blockbuster games like theDead Spaceremake andResident Evil Villagebeing among some of the best horror games to grace the genre. What some horror fans may not know is that many of the modern horror genre’s tropes, mechanics, and mainstays got their start inAlone In The Dark.The 1992 title is not only credited as being the originator of the survival horror genre but is credited with influencing the creation of theResident Evilfranchise.
Alone In The Darkis centered heavily on Southern Gothic influences, with the game taking place in Louisiana in the 1920s. Players choose to play one of two protagonists, solving puzzles and outsmarting supernatural creatures to escape a haunted house. Not only did the 1992 game originate the two-protagonist design popularized withResident Evil’s Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine, but it allowed players to engage in non-linear gameplay, varied enemy encounters, a limited inventory, and other modern horror game elements. On a narrative level, the game also took heavy influence from the literary themes of H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allen Poe, two authors whose works are commonly found in almost every modern horror video game.
Alone In The Dark’s Remake Will Face Stiff Competition
Whilethe upcoming remake ofAlone In The Darkmight be one of the most anticipated horror games slated for release right now, the title will face some tough competition. Not only have horror video games likeAlien: Isolation,Soma,andResident Evil Villageinnovated on the genre, but they have also introduced improvements to the mechanics that made the originalAlone In The Darkso groundbreaking. Ultimately, theAlone In The Darkremake needs to prove that it can face the pressures of modern horror game design and the high expectations of fans.
Fortunately, there are quite a few ways thatAlone In The Darkcan stay true to its roots while impressing gamers. For instance, gameplay clips have already unveiled the graphical and technical advances made with the Pieces Interactive remake.SomaandAmnesia: The Dark Descentwriter Mikael Hedbergwas tapped to write an original plot for the reboot, which promises a far more nuanced, compelling, and layered narrative than the simplistic roots of the franchise. It seems as though the game will keep the puzzle-heavy roots of the 1992 classic, hopefully providing gamers with a unique Southern Gothic experience that can be groundbreaking on its own merits.
Alone in the Darkis currently in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
