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Alone in the Dark

Alone in the Dark

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From: Atari Inc.
Category: Video Games

List Price: $49.99
Buy New: $21.16
You Save: $28.83 (58%)



New (30) Used (13) from $21.16

Avg. Customer Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars 19 reviews
Sales Rank: 1717

Platform: Xbox 360
ESRB: Rating Pending
Media: Video Game
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Operating System: Xbox 360
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6

MPN: 27389
UPC: 742725273894
EAN: 0742725273894
ASIN: B00113JSCG

Release Date: June 24, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Features:
  • A New Inventory System Players utilize the pockets of protagonist Edward Carnby to hold items which they can view, switch and combine without leaving the game.
  • Narrative intensity Taking its cues from blockbuster TV dramas, the story is told in a TV season style narrative structure based around episodes that deliver maximum intensity throughout and keep the player hooked.
  • A Captivating Story Centered in iconic Central Park long-time series protagonist and paranormal specialist Edward Carnby returns to delve into the frightening events occurring in the Big Apple.
  • Real World Rules In-Game movement has been designed to allow players to do almost anything that is physically possible in the real world.
  • Photographic Rendering Game developer Edens Propriety Twilight technology creates a lavishly detailed game world with highly realistic and advanced cinematographic effects.

Accessories:

  • Alone in the Dark: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides)

Similar Items:

  • Grand Theft Auto IV
  • Ninja Gaiden II
  • Battlefield: Bad Company
  • Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2
  • Metal Gear Solid 4

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
There's something strange and frightening happening in the middle of New York City's Central Park; something whispered to have been intentionally kept secret; something that players are compelled to explore in Alone in the Dark.

Known today as a safe haven for New Yorkers yearning for relief from the stresses of their chaotic metropolis, history records that Central Park was built on a useless swamp, yet as the New York City skyline hurtled towards the sky over the last 150 years, making the city the most expensive real estate in the world, the park has remained untouched. Why? Civic pride? Perhaps, but the recent strange happenings in and around the park are casting doubt on that, doubts that require investigating.



The return of an iconic series
Edward Carnby
Paranormal PI Edward Carnby.
View larger.
Stunningly spooky views of NYC
Stunningly spooky views of NYC.
View larger.
The odd wildlife of Central Park
The odd wildlife of Central Park.
View larger.
A whole new inventory system
A whole new inventory system.
View larger.
Enter Edward Carnby, Paranormal Investigator
Despite the title, Alone in the Dark is actually the fifth game in a series that dates back to 1992 and centers around the experiences of Edward "the reptile" Carnby. A paranormal investigator by trade, Carnby is looking for answers to the strange events and horrific creatures reported in and around the park, but gets more than he bargained for when all the mysteries and terrors of the park spill out over the course of one apocalyptic night. It's the player's task to avoid the new frightening dangers of the park as you search for the answers to what these supernatural occurrences mean and why they are happening.

Gameplay Based on Full Player Immersion
Packed full of action and vivid in its realism Alone in the Dark goes to the extreme to keep players engaged and immersed by plunging them into the heart of the action in real-time at every turn and challenging them to survive using full movement control. The goal here is to allow players to do or at least feel that they can do more or less whatever is possible in real life, within the game.

Need to avoid a blast of steam or an eruption of fire that has shot up in your path? You can simply side-step it or you can handle the obstacle with a little more panache by using the environment around you, for example by swinging around it using reachable pipes or wires. In another situation you may be challenged by attacking monsters. No problem. You can take the path of least resistance, again by side-stepping them or placing an obstacle between yourself and them, but if you are feeling like taking out a little aggression you can pick up a board, chair, box, etc. and have at it. Nearly anything that you come across that would be usable in real life is usable in game and can be wielded in several different ways.

In addition, game developer Eden Studios has done away with a few in-game conventions in favor of real life upgrades. Instead of old-fashioned health bars Alone in the Dark uses realistic body damage and physiological effects to show players how much damage has been done to Carnby by the new dangerous nightlife of Central Park. Basically this means if Carnby has been taking a licking he's going to be a little bloody. Monsters use sensory perception of all kinds to find their victims, so players need to keep aware of Carnby's physical state, as well as the impact he has on his surroundings. Also gone are traditional inventory systems that take players out of the game while you switch or check items in your possession, replaced by an in-game inventory system where items are carried in the folds of Carnby's trench coat. This allows you to stay in the action the whole time. Sticking with the realism theme, the number of items that Carnby can carry is limited, but since ingenuity is built into the system, items can be combined or their uses altered, mostly with tape, so players can adjust as challenges arise.

TV Style Intensity That Keeps You Hooked
Built around a unique television style episodic narrative game structure, the storyline of Alone in the Dark is split into a number of distinct 30-40 minute episodes, doled out one at a time as you play. This new way to progress through the storyline ensures that players can enjoy the game regardless of the amount of time they have available without ever feeling lost. Each time a saved game is launched, the episode will begin with a video summary of the previous episode to quickly re-immerse the player in the story, removing the need to remember where you were or what you were doing at the end of your last play session. In addition, every episode will also close with a nail-biting, cliff-hanger ending to rattle players' nerves. And when you choose to leave the game, a video teaser of the next episode will play to leave players always wanting more.

Vivid Photographic Rendering
Even on a bad day, and this will be a bad one, Central Park and New York City are something to see. With Game developer Eden's proprietary Twilight technology and rendering engine, players can expect to see everything from the City's famous landmarks to the manifestations of the evil that have been festering in Central Park come to life as if you were there. This lavishly detailed game world takes advantage of highly realistic and advanced cinematographic effects including depth of field, camera focus, numerous light sources, moisture, reflections and High Dynamic Range effects.

Whether it's the innovative game play, the unique episodic game structure, the advanced physics or the return of a ground-breaking protagonist recast in the modern era, Alone in the Dark holds something for players willing to take on the mysteries and dangers at the heart of Central Park.



Product Description
Uncover the earth-shattering secret hidden in New York's iconic Central Park in Alone In The Dark. History records that Central Park was built on a useless swamp, yet as the New York City skyline hurtled towards the sky over the last 150 years, making the city the most expensive real estate in the world, the park has remained untouched. Why? Civic pride? Perhaps, but the recent strange happenings in and around the park are casting doubt on that, doubts that require investigating. Edward Carnby, Paranormal Investigator is looking for answers to the strange events and horrific creatures reported in and around the park, but gets more than he bargained for when all the mysteries and terrors of the park spill out over the course of one apocalyptic night. It's your task to avoid the new frightening dangers of the park as you search for the answers to what these supernatural occurrences mean and why they are happening.




Customer Reviews:   Read 14 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars Great Experience   August 1, 2008
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

I know Im not alone when I say this game offers a whole new experience that deserves, at least, a rent. Since the game starts you get a chance to experiment with the abilities you will have through the rest of the game, the difference is that later on you will star finding new or different items to combine. This takes me to the inventory, which everyone seems to hate. I find the inventory to be excellent, many people hate the fact that the game doesnt pause when you open it but does the world pause when you go through the pockets of your jacket? Its suppose to be a survival horror kind of game. Besides its not even complicated, it doesnt take me more time in the game to change the batteries of my flashlight than what it takes in real life. The camera is not an issue either, its just different, and the fist-person view is like any other.
The graphics are probably the most amazing thing on the game, which may also have something to do with the soundtrack, together they make a beautiful combination. No problems with the save system. You also have a way to forward the story, so if you just dont like the part where you are playing or its too challenging you can just skip it. The story is intriguing and it reminds me of the movie "Cloverfield" although as the story progresses the similarities just banish.
Overall what I think its going on is that people are obsessed with Halo and Gears of War, they want every game to be a shooter. And honestly im tired of war games and other shooters, maybe because thats all the XBOX 360 offers, so if you are like me just give this game a chance, maybe even a rent. It may take Master Chief out of your mind for some time.
8/10



3 out of 5 stars Greatness yanked down by poor decisions   July 31, 2008
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Most people attribute the start of the Survival Horror genre to Resident Evil. While you can trace the birth of Survival Horror back far, far before that game (to Sweet Home or, if you want to stretch it, to Haunted House in 1981), modern Survival Horror games were firmly established by the first Alone in the Dark. Since that first game, though, the series has been an up and down roller coaster that never seemed to be able to outmatch some of the better known and more famous franchises like Resident Evil or Silent Hill.

So, when Eden Games started to work on reinventing the franchise, I was cautiously optimistic. A lot of the ideas and concepts they spoke of seemed like great ideas, and they seemed to be trying to Do Something Different. Unfortunately, the sum is not greater than its parts and Alone in the Dark, while reaching for the stars, can't stay afloat.

Things begin appropriately apocalyptic. Edward Carnby awakens in some hotel with some bad men arguing about cryptic shenanigans. Carnby, no longer useful, is led up to the roof to be executed but before that can happen, bad juju hits the fan as a "scar" tears through the building. From here, this first episode really picks up as you're trying to escape the building alive.

Here is where the goodness lies. Alone in the Dark has a great opening that's appropriately cinematic but in such a way that only games can do. The building starts to fall apart, you have to run and jump your way to safety, climb along the outside of the building while debris tumbles and while watching cars below you explode. You learn how Eden Games created some appropriately realistic fire for the game as you watch it spread and have to put it out or use it as a weapon. You'll see things happen to the various rooms you're in that will make you want to believe you're watching a cinematic, not playing through a game. It's very cool.

And then you try to move.

Movement is the worst part of the game. It's all controlled with one stick which makes actually moving feel as if you're controlling a drunk, disobedient person. Once you get a melee weapon in your hand, you'll see another problem: using the right analog stick to attack. You'll have to swing it one direction, then another just to attack. Unfortunately it's sluggish, as is the animation, resulting in you taking more damage than you should need to. Fighting monsters becomes a chore, one you'll grow to hate because as the game progresses, you'll learn that basically all monsters can only die via fire. So, grab that chair, light it on fire and swing away...hoping you hurt it more than it hurts you. Similarily, gun fights are also not terrific as you have to pop into first person whenever you want to shoot someone. No lock and pop here.

Likewise, if walking around makes you feel like a drunk, driving is a good approximation of drunk driving, I believe. The controls are incredibly loose and in the first driving portion of the game, loose controls isn't a good idea. What should be an exciting escape sequence that involves the ground behind you exploding, tears appearing across the streets, buildings collapsing, fire, death explosions, cats and dogs sleeping together turns into frustration as you'll probably find yourself repeating the episode. Over. And Over. From the beginning. It loses its fun and becomes a chore.

Towards the end of the game, the game pulls a Zelda: Wind Waker moment and has you hunting down certain things and destroying them in an effort, one has to assume, to artificially lengthen the game. If there's one thing that Alone in the Dark does exceptionally well, it's the pacing. When you hit this moment it's like running smack dab into a brick wall. It's sad.

There's a lot going for Alone in the Dark, don't get me wrong. The inventory system is a cool innovation. The whole episodic "TV show/DVD" feel is perfect, with DVD-style menus complemented by the ability to switch to any episode you like. The graphics are pretty decent, as is the engine it's running on. Some cool, small features, like the ability to blink your eyes is very effective during some sequences. And the pacing--for the most part--is perfect; it can really get your adrenaline going...until you're forced to repeat the same thing over and over again.

I really wanted to like Alone in the Dark. I didn't honestly think that Eden Games would elevate the game to the front of the pack, but there was enough little things and innovations that I thought maybe it'd be a good game. When I played it, I was amazed. Eden Games wanted no less than to shoot for the moon and make the most ambitious Survival Horror game yet. Unfortunately, reality is sometimes like gravity and unfortunately Alone in the Dark isn't the masterpiece I, and Atari, I'm sure, was hoping for. Definitely give it a rent, but I'd hold off on purchasing it.



5 out of 5 stars Amazing Scenario and Direction   July 24, 2008
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Despite all the justified negative reviews i still rate this game very possitively as the game cenematics, scenario and music all mixed together are simply amazing. This game cenematics is way better than a lot of hollywood movies i have seen.
The game gets pretty tough on episode 7 but before that everything is within limit. Controls and camera are not amazing and they might get annoying sometimes.
It is worth playing and i enjoyed most of my time in the game (excludig the 10+ hrs i spent to pass the 8 zombies in the train station in episode 7 :)).



5 out of 5 stars Loved it, from start to finish.   July 22, 2008
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

I pre-ordered this game back in February when I bought Test Drive Unlimited. When the game was reaching it's release date I checked out game sites to see if any early reviews were posted, and of course I eventually ran into the numerous reviews on Amazon and have also seen the reviews from IGN and GameSpot. Now, I after beating the game I can fully understand why it is getting so much flak. Alone in the Dark is a game that requires the player to actually think, to use common sense. Alone in the Dark is not your simple shoot em' up game, it's not Halo, or Call of Duty. The problem I am reading most is the controls, and this is what I don't get, if you have played Resident Evil (any of them). then you should be ok with this game because they are the same as any Resident Evil game with the exception of switching between first and third person. Other complaints span to the infamous 59th Street scene when your driving through New York City. Once again I see no problem with this as I completed it in one try, and during that one try I encountered no such things that ive been reading like ''invisible walls'' or ''bottomless pits.'' In fact, I re-did the part in cockpit mode which actually made the scene easier. I am actually glad I decided to go ahead and buy this game even with all the negative press, because I am so sick and tired of all the sequels we keep getting every year (I.E. Halo 3, GTA4, MGS4, COD4, DMC4, Resistance 2, Gears 2, Resident Evil 5). Now, if you are reading this, you might be asking ''Mr. Vereb, why did you add Resident Evil 5, Gears 2, and Resistance 2; they are not even out yet!'' Well I just added them because they are in a long line of a list of sequels that I am talking about. What I like about Alone in the Dark is that it is new, it's not just a sequel to the franchise; it's more like a reboot. You know what, I may as well be in the minority here, but I damn well loved Alone in the Dark; from start to finish. This game is truly a AAA title. However, like any other game it has it's faults and I will point them out. The first fault being that some objects are nearly invincible when you are driving through Central Park (branches, light polls, benches, etc) if I know better these things should be pretty easy to run right through with any kind of car. The second fault being that the game does not pause when you go into you inventory (which means an enemy can still attack you while you are checking your inventory). The final two faults are the annoying repetitive evil roots you have to burn unless your an achievement whore like mean, then by all means there good, and lastly this game has no replay value. Everything else from the graphics (especially the fire effects) to the DVD-style chapters to the incredible soundtrack done by The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices and not to mention the realism that was put into recreating Central Park in it's entirety makes the game top notch. Even with my review I do not recommend this game for everyone, I strongly recommend it to gamers who are willing to take a chance with something new and I also highly recommend this game to survival horror fans in general. Overall, if you are looking for a game to hold you over for more survival horror games or for something else in general, then Alone in the Dark is a satisfying adventure. I can safely say this in case you want your own opinion, there is now a demo available on XBL if you want to play through the first two levels from what I have read at least. Even though the game has no replay value, I am not going to sell it because the game was that good for me, and I plan to pick it up and play again sometime in the near future.


2 out of 5 stars Bad camera and controls   July 19, 2008
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Graphics are decent, but camera makes the whole game annoying. You find yourself struggling with the controls and camera angles, and it just ruins the whole game.

Maybe worth 20 if on sale, certainly not worth 60!!! This game will annoy you though, lol.


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