Alone in the Dark (2024) lets you explore a Lovecraftian sandbox that’s filled with mind-bending horrors. In case you’re not aware, Resident Evil didn’t kickstart the horror game genre. Rather, that honour belongs to Sweet Home and Alone in the Dark. These two games have a feature in common, which is the limited ammunition and resources. It definitely didn’t survive the test of time like Resident Evil, making this remake all the sweeter.
Alone in the Dark was launched in 1992, and today, Player.com will break down all of its new features. After all, it has been more than three decades already, so it will benefit from 4K textures and then some.
Also Read: Alone in the Dark Reboot Delayed to January 2024
6 Mechanics New to Alone in the Dark (2024)
Alone in the Dark (2024) will be memorable, especially as Resident Evil monopolises the genre. The original game shone because of features such as:
- A fixed camera angle for cinematic effects.
- Supernatural elements of unseen gods that the human mind can’t comprehend.
That said, Alone in the Dark is still the only instalment that’s critically acclaimed. Alone in the Dark 2 and other sequels were never up to par, which is why Resident Evil is still more popular. Still, below are six mechanics that will determine if we need Alone in the Dark 2.
#1: A Third-Person Experience Awaits
The original game featured an isometric camera, so the camera angle was fixed. Thankfully, Alone in the Dark (2024) developers recognise the game for what it is: A survival adventure that lets you explore a Lovecraftian world of eldritch horrors. Sure, isometric games let you view more of the sandbox at a glance.
However, fights and encounters from third-person perspectives are far more personal. Playing as Joel in The Last of Us Part 1 felt personal because we could picture ourselves performing each of his swings. Also, players control only one character in Alone in the Dark, so an isometric perspective isn’t necessary. In games like Baldur’s Gate 3, an isometric view is perfect because you’re controlling a party.
#2: More Environmental Puzzles
Alone in the Dark will be set in a haunted house, so you can expect many puzzles scattered throughout the campaign. In Resident Evil fashion, some puzzles will reward you with guns and ammunition, while others will unlock hidden paths. We expect THQ Nordic to dial up the number of puzzles by 11, meaning, there will be many brainstorming sessions. The team also intends to use puzzles to unlock new clues for completing the campaign.
So, the more you play the game, the deeper you’re sucked into the dungeon-like sandbox. In other words, no puzzle will be useless in Alone in the Dark (2024). The Derceto Manor and its rooms will transform when you least expect it, adding a layer of mystery and unpredictability to the gameplay.
#3: Tighter Gunplay and Streamlined Combat System
You can expect a better combat system in Alone in the Dark, which includes new animations for the protagonists and enemies. Thankfully, this is a remake from scratch, so weapons such as the Plasma Cannon, Old Cavalry Sabre, Pirate Pistol, and Thompson will be getting new animations too.
In the original game, players would get to pick from 35 weapons. We hope the developers will add even more weapons and gear for gamers to play around with.
#4: Picture “Alan Wake 2” Level of Atmosphere
Alan Wake 2 and The Last of Us: Part Two both boast an amazing atmosphere with plenty of shadows and limited lighting. Besides that, encounters with zombies and other horrors usually take place in tight corners. An advantage is that the atmosphere literally chokes players, so escape and survival are your only motivations. In Alone in the Dark, Derceto Manor transforms into a house of horrors during the evening, sort of like Dying Light 2’s dangerous nighttime.
With a third-person view, Alone in the Dark will also boast an immersive atmosphere. Still, THQ Nordic isn’t known for its horror games. So, we’re interested in how the project will turn out, especially as it has been postponed multiple times already. Yes, Alone in the Dark will be set in Louisiana instead of the usual Lovecraftian New England sandboxes. Hopefully, the game will be released on March 20, 2024, this time around.
#5: Ever-Changing Rooms Add to Its Replayability
Replayability skyrockets because rooms in Derceto Manor change in the blink of an eye. You never know what you will find venturing into a new area in Alone in the Dark. Yes, the variety of weapons that you can use also lets you decide your approach to every combat encounter. Do you use your Sabre or perhaps a rifle will pack more punch? Gamers will have to decide on the fly.
#6: Quality of Life Updates Await (Including Better Visuals)
Alone in the Dark will be available in 4K resolution, which means that the rooms, weapons, and all objects in the sandbox will have 4K textures. Nevertheless, next-gen consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X are capable of so much more. You can also expect instant loading times, so the game truly feels like a movie. Besides that, new areas will be added to the sandbox, especially as consoles have at least a Terabyte of storage space nowadays.
Developers aren’t limited by storage space or power compared to the cartridges and 500MB game CDs of old. There’s also the DualSense for PS5 owners, which is a controller with impressive feedback. You’ll feel the recoil of every gun in the game since the haptics of DualSense are highly customisable. There are also adaptive triggers, which simulate the tension of pulling different gun triggers.
Our Final Say: Alone in the Dark (2024) May Rival Alan Wake 2
No, the Nintendo Switch won’t release Alone in the Dark due to its limited hardware. However, PlayStation, PC, and Xbox owners can play the game at launch (March 20, 2024). Yes, Alone in the Dark will take between six and 10 hours to complete. That is rather short compared to Resident Evil 4’s 16-hour-long campaign.
However, the game is touted to be extremely replayable, so players won’t know when they’ve dumped dozens of hours into it. Unfortunately, Alone in the Dark is a single-player experience, so no multiplayer mode is available.