Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare

Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare, alternatively known as Alone in the Dark 4, is the fourth installment and first reboot of the survival horror video game series Alone in the Dark, developed by Darkworks and published by Infogrames Entertainment, SA.[3] The game was released in 2001 on several platforms including Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Dreamcast, and Game Boy Color. A PlayStation 2 version of the game was also released several months after and only in Europe.

Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
European box art
Developer(s)Darkworks
Spiral House (Windows/PS2)
Pocket Studios (GBC)
Publisher(s)Infogrames
Producer(s)Kurt Busch[1]
Designer(s)Laurent Franchet[1]
Composer(s)Thierry Desseaux[2]
Stewart Copeland
SeriesAlone in the Dark
EngineRenderWare 
Platform(s)PlayStation
Game Boy Color
Windows
Dreamcast
PlayStation 2
Release
Genre(s)Survival horror
Mode(s)Single-player

Plot

Set on October 31, 2001. Edward Carnby's best friend and partner, Charles Fiske, has been found dead off the coast of Shadow Island, a mysterious island near the coast of Massachusetts. Carnby's investigation quickly leads him to Frederick Johnson, who informs him of Fiske's search for three ancient tablets with the ability to unlock an incredible and dangerous power. Johnson pleads with Carnby to take the place of Fiske and reopen the investigation in order to recover the tablets. Carnby accepts and makes it his mission to find Fiske's killer. Johnson introduces Edward to Aline Cedrac, an intelligent, young university professor. She joins Edward to recover the missing tablets and assist Professor Obed Morton, whom she believes to be her father. While flying over the coast of Shadow Island, Edward and Aline's plane comes under attack by an unknown creature. Edward and Aline both jump out of the plane and parachute to the ground, but are separated immediately. Edward lands in the dense forest just outside a manor, while Aline lands on the roof of it. The game's plot is a separate canon from the main of the series.

Gameplay

The player is given the option of choosing which of the two protagonists they play as. Carnby's side of the plot is based mainly on fighting the monsters by physical means, particularly with his trusty double barreled revolver; while Aline's is more centered on puzzles. The two occasionally meet up, and the main areas of plot intersect.

The player soon comes under attack from Creatures of Darkness that appear out of nowhere and seem to be living shadows. These Creatures of Darkness are eventually revealed to be reptilian, silicon-based life forms from the center of the Earth, an enormous world of dark caverns known as the World of Darkness. Shadow Island apparently contains one of the many portals to this underground world. True to their name, the game's enemies are averse to light (which apparently turns them into ash), and this figures heavily in gameplay. Players can use their flashlight to repel certain creatures, and killing them is accomplished with such light-producing ammunition as "magnesium bullets" and "phosphorus shells."

Light plays a significant role in this game. One of the game's main features is the flashlight that can be used to light up the game's darkened scenes, revealing hidden details and uncovering items. To this end, the developers crafted an unusual graphics engine which allowed the 3D player character's flashlight to properly illuminate and cast shadows on the 2D, pre-rendered backdrops. This was accomplished by rendering the backdrops at various levels of illumination and including information on the distribution of objects in the scene. The graphics engine could then properly use brighter versions of the backdrop where the flashlight was expected to be casting light, and leave shadowed areas dark.

Development and release

For the first time in the series, the game was based on console development and released as a multiplatform title. Darkworks handled the development of the PlayStation and Dreamcast versions, the latter being released one month after the former and featuring major graphic improvements. Spiral House ported the Dreamcast version to Windows. It was released at the same time of the Dreamcast version, but suffers from sound conversion issues which turn the overall soundtrack into noticeably worse quality renditions. Spiral House also ported the Dreamcast version to the PlayStation 2 and released it several months after, with the addition of lip synchronization for the polygon models during cutscenes.

A Game Boy Color version of the game was separately developed by Pocket Studios. While older handheld systems would often abandon 3D environments entirely in favor of easier to render 2D sprites, the Game Boy Color received a relatively faithful version of the home console game. The Game Boy Color's cartridge-based format necessitated the loss of the full motion video cut scenes from the other versions, and many game play areas had to be reduced in size while some were eliminated entirely. However, the basic pre-rendered environments and 3D character imposed on top of them remain.

The game was released in North America by Infogrames, except for the PlayStation 2 version, which was only released in Europe. In Japan, the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 versions were planned to be released by Capcom,[4] but these releases were cancelled. The game was eventually released in Japan for Windows in 2002 by CyberFront,[5] featuring English voices and Japanese subtitles unlike the Japanese versions of the previous Alone in the Dark games, which were fully dubbed to Japanese.

The PlayStation version was released in May 2012 as a PSone classic on the PlayStation Network. As of September 1, it is also compatible with the PlayStation Vita, but is not compatible with PSP due to porting issues.[6]

As of October 29, 2013, the Windows version was released on Steam.

Reception

Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare was well received. The PlayStation and Dreamcast versions received "generally favorable reviews", while the PC version received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[11][12][13] GamesMaster gave the Game Boy Color version 90%,[42] and The Sunday Times gave it the award of Game of the Week.[41] According to Darkworks, The New Nightmare sold almost 1.4 million units by 2005.[43]

AllGame gave the GBC version three stars out of five, saying, "Despite the frightening battle system and confusing play, the game is ultimately redeeming. It is definitely worth seeing; the eerie graphics can really pull a player into its spooky environment. But customers should think carefully before purchasing it, and not jump into things as fast as Edward Carnby did. Those who are patient and dedicated will probably find Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare very rewarding, while everyone else might consider this game a bit too difficult and trying."[44] The website also gave the PlayStation version three stars out of five, saying, "This game should have been in development longer and more polished (there are numerous graphical glitches and clipping that occurs). A good game, but it could've been great. As with all survival horror games, play this game in the dark, and only at night. It's vital that you do, and it accents the game."[45] Edge gave the same console version seven out of ten.[46] X-Play gave the Dreamcast version three stars out of five and said that it " isn't really bad. However, it also isn't really new. It's just a shambling clone in step with the rest of the survival horror games. Perhaps its creators would have been better off evoking an old nightmare instead."[47] Carla Harker of Next Generation said of the PC version in its October 2001 issue, "Despite its faults, very few PC games provide these kinds of Lovecraftian thrills and chills. The New Nightmare suffices."[36] Jeff Lundrigan of the same magazine later said of the Dreamcast version in its final issue, "If you haven't tried any other version, Dreamcast is definitely the way to go with this one."[35]

Computer Games Magazine nominated The New Nightmare as the best adventure game of 2001, but ultimately gave the award to Myst III: Exile.[48]

Film

In 2005 a film adaptation was released called Alone in the Dark loosely based on the fourth installment. It was directed by Uwe Boll and was a box office flop costing $20,000,000, which was not recovered, and poorly received by critics,[49] although it made a profit on the DVD market. Guinness World Records named the film the "Lowest-Grossing Game Based Movie" in the Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008 edition. An Unrated Director's Cut was released in Germany, France and Australia and was #1 on the German DVD market for three weeks.

References
  1. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare Credits". Giant Bomb. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  2. "Thierry Desseaux". IMDb. Amazon.
  3. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (2001) Dreamcast Credits". MobyGames. Blue Flame Labs. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  4. Martín, J. Javier (March 12, 2002). "Capcom editará en Japón Alone in the Dark". Meristation (in Spanish). PRISA. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  5. "アローン・イン・ザ・ダーク 新たなる悪夢 日本語版" (in Japanese). Hatena Blog. February 19, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  6. Makuch, Eddie (May 26, 2011). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare rated for the PS3". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  7. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare for Dreamcast". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  8. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare for Game Boy Color". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  9. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  10. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare for PlayStation". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  11. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare for Dreamcast Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  12. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  13. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare for PlayStation Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  14. Ardai, Charles (October 2001). "Back From the Dead (Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare Review)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 207. Ziff Davis. pp. 76–77. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  15. EGM staff (September 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 147. Ziff Davis. p. 147.
  16. Bramwell, Tom (May 31, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (PSOne)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  17. Kato, Matthew (November 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (DC)". Game Informer. No. 103. GameStop. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  18. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (GBC)". Game Informer. No. 101. GameStop. September 2001.
  19. Kato, Matthew (August 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (PS)". Game Informer. No. 100. GameStop. Archived from the original on September 28, 2008. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  20. Tokyo Drifter (September 26, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 13, 2005. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  21. Jake The Snake (June 22, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  22. Zombie Duke (July 2001). "Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare Review (PS)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  23. Tracy, Tim (October 8, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare Review (DC)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  24. Poole, Stephen (July 9, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare Review (PC)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  25. Tracy, Tim (June 26, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare Review (PS)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  26. Tren (July 9, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (European Import)". PlanetDreamcast. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  27. Celeryface (October 24, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare". PlanetDreamcast. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  28. McConnaughy, Tim (July 13, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (PC)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 10, 2002. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  29. Bedigian, Louis (October 17, 2001). "Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare Review - Dreamcast". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 22, 2007. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  30. Rgerbino (July 23, 2001). "Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare Review - PC". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 4, 2008. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  31. The Badger (July 17, 2001). "Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare Review - PlayStation". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 4, 2008. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  32. Chau, Anthony (October 8, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (SDC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  33. Harris, Craig (July 6, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (GBC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  34. Adams, Dan (July 12, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (PC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  35. Lundrigan, Jeff (January 2002). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (DC)". Next Generation. No. 85. Imagine Media. p. 86. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  36. Harker, Carla (October 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (PC)". Next Generation. No. 82. Imagine Media. p. 82. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  37. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare". Nintendo Power. Vol. 146. Nintendo of America. July 2001.
  38. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Ziff Davis. 2001.
  39. Osborn, Chuck (October 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare". PC Gamer. Vol. 8 no. 10. Imagine Media. Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  40. Saltzman, Marc (August 8, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (PC)". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on October 5, 2001. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  41. Garratt, Patrick (May 20, 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (Game Boy Color)". The Sunday Times. News UK. Archived from the original on September 13, 2001. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  42. East, Tom (June 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (GBC)". GamesMaster. Future plc. p. 96. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  43. Ebô, Aukil (February 26, 2005). "A bord de Cold Fear avec Darkworks". Gamatomic (in French). Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  44. Semerad, Jay. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (GBC) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  45. Barnes, J.C. "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (PS) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  46. Edge staff (July 2001). "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (PS)". Edge. No. 99. Future plc.
  47. Bub, Andrew S. (October 26, 2001). "'Alone in the Dark [The New Nightmare]' (DC) Review". X-Play. TechTV. Archived from the original on November 5, 2001. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  48. CGM staff (March 2002). "11th Annual Computer Games Awards". Computer Games Magazine. No. 136. theGlobe.com. pp. 50–56.
  49. Child, Ben (October 28, 2016). "The 'world's worst director': are Uwe Boll's movies really that bad?". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.