Alone in the Dark: The First Preview

Survival Horror is a genre we take for granted, but in 1992 a little game called Alone in the Dark really kickstarted the whole idea, giving us a taste of limited resources and investigative adventure against all odds. Now Pieces Interactive is remaking that classic in a star-studded atmospheric version that promises to bring the classic horror plot to modern audiences. Headlining that is Mikael Hedberg, writer-director of Amnesia and Soma, and between his responses and responses from publisher THQ Nordic in a press Q&A, things are looking pretty promising as we prepare to return. to the deeply haunted Louisiana swamp around Derceto.

The big reveal is that Stranger Things actor David Harbor will be playing the role of Detective Edward Carnby, a tough, landscape-chewing role that’s a perfect cast for Harbor and one he seems genuinely excited to take on. Meanwhile, Killing Eve actress Jodie Comer will take on the role of Emily Hartwood, the woman who has hired Carnby to investigate the fate of her uncle as she delves deeper into her family secret, the mystery involved. "Damn Hartwood."

Pieces seems to keep many key elements from the early Alone in the Dark games in its remake, especially the series’ classic melee combat: while getting caught with a monster was a death sentence in later Survival Horror, dismembering Ghouls with a sword. It was always a much better option than wasting precious bullets on them.

The original Alone in the Dark is a big deal. It’s one of those things where, looking at it, nothing seems special just because so many games since have done everything exactly like Alone in the Dark did. That fixed camera for a 3D space? How is the mystery investigated? All Alone in the Dark creations. It all came back later in a little game called Resident Evil, which you may have heard of. That makes it even cooler to see where the new Alone in the Dark builds off of the design work done on the Resident Evil remakes while still remaining unique. An over-the-shoulder camera should be a real upgrade for both navigating and appreciating locations, not to mention fighting monsters.

Being a southerner, one of the most important parts of Alone in the Dark is the setting. Louisiana Bayou is iconic for a reason, and Southern Gothic is a much older genre than Survival Horror. Mikael Hedberg gave me a pretty satisfying answer as to whether Alone in the Dark will explore those roots, noting that expanding the story in the remake gave Pieces room to expand on local historical traditions and connect the story more deeply to Voudou, among other things. things. He also referenced the oppressive atmosphere of the 1986 film Angel Heart, a psychological thriller that I think will set you on the right path to good home horror.

While the setting is certainly homegrown for me, I’m even more pleased to hear the musical choices Pieces has made. Jazz is a Louisiana staple, but the directors of Alone in the Dark have incorporated a modern European twist: the metal-infused vibe of Doom Jazz. Most horror games aren’t willing to take chances on a heavy soundtrack, but Pieces seems to know that you can’t have noir, or even horror noir, without a good saxophone. The involvement of doom jazz legend Jason Köhnen is a truly powerful choice for Alone in the Dark’s aesthetic direction: There just isn’t much like the power that these strange ambient touches and pressurized drum rolls can pull off.

In general, the team and the motivation seem right to offer an exciting version of a horror game classic. I’m really looking forward to learning more about Alone in the Dark as we get closer to release, and you can bet I’m downloading the free Grace in the Dark prologue right now.