2024 remake staring David Harbour and Jodie Comer has even gained the iration and approval of the series creator, Frédérick Raynal, an excellent sign for survival horror fans.

When Alone in the Dark was initially released, it helped establish the groundwork for games like Resident Evil to become what they are today. Now, THQ Nordic is working to revitalize the franchise that has previously seen a few adaptations deviate too far from what fans enjoyed about the first few games. After a few hours of playing as Alone in the Dark's two protagonists, it's clear that the remake's gameplay and story from Mikael Hedberg (Amnesia: The Dark Descent, SOMA) will effectively introduce today's players to the series' deadly and paranormal mysteries.

Playable Characters David Harbour & Jodie Comer

Alone in the Dark 2024 takes place during the 1920s near New Orleans where Private Investigator Edward Carnby (David Harbour) and his client Emily Hartwood (Jodie Comer) research the disappearance of Emily's uncle in a spooky mansion players of the original game might recognize. The game begins as the pair pulls up to Derceto Manor, and like the original game, players are given a choice to play as either Edward or Emily in the 3rd person game filled with puzzles and well-crafted tension. This choice alters what story and characters players will experience.

THQ Nordic anticipates that each of Alone in the Dark's two campaigns will take 7 - 10 hours each to complete.

As players make their way into the mansion, it takes little time to determine that there is something off about the Derceto mansion and its strange residents. The preview provided to Screen Rant introduced a different cast of characters and entirely separate conversations with them depending on which playable character was chosen. While the beginning stages had both characters traversing similar locations, the story and information each gathered about the overarching plot ensured that completing both campaigns would be required to uncover every one of Alone in the Dark's secrets. Some of which are darker than others.

Gameplay & Maps

Not long after discovering the first significant clue into Emily's uncle's disappearance, the player snaps into a dark nightmare realm that is as unsettling as it is mysterious. The first time it happens, the player is trapped in an unknown location with limited resources and gruesome creatures.

While the first area seems like a dark and foggy city block of New Orleans, trailers and previews suggest that later sections will challenge players' imaginations. Alone in the Dark promises intense gameplay with limited ammo in Lovecraftian horror-inspired areas that dramatically help raise the stakes and adrenaline levels of players who are brave enough to try.

A dark and foggy New Orleans city block was Alone in the Dark's first foray into the Nightmare Realm, seemingly where most of the game's combat sections will occur. Ammo and health are not plentiful or easy to come by, helping intensity rise as shambling monsters work to corner the player in situations where melee weapons break often and every bullet counts. Combined with the game's effective lighting and mesmerizing doom jazz soundtrack, it effectively builds an atmosphere fitting for one of gaming's pioneer survival horror gems.

What isn't a nightmare is THQ Nordic's efforts in ease-of-use features. Clues, collectibles, and valuable puzzle components must be found throughout the game's environments. While traditional gameplay styles will still allow players to uncover everything there is to find in Alone in the Dark for themselves, developers have included several options that will highlight areas and items of interest.

The game's creative map UI will also assist players in highlighting what sections they have uncovered and what areas can and can not yet be accessed. Such features dramatically reduce the chances of getting lost, which is a helpful tool for players anxious to discover Alone in the Dark's mysteries.

A Promising New Survival Horror

Many of gaming's most popular survival horror franchises have a habit of diverting into releasing sequels filled with more action than the intense horror gameplay that initially set the series apart. Alone in the Dark seems poised to ignore that trend with a strong return to the survival horror genre that the franchise not only excelled at, but helped give birth to. A mysterious world, layered characters, nail-biting encounters, and increasingly tricky puzzles await when the Alone in the Dark remake releases on March 20, 2024.

Alone in the Dark will be releasing on March 20, 2024 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Screen Rant was provided a hands-on preview for the purposes of this article.

Source: THQ Nordic/YouTube