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A solid survival horror title for its time...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 14, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I haven't played this title in years, but I still recall very fond memories of how creepy it was. People complain AITD 4 is nothing but a shoddy rip off of Silent Hill and Resident Evil. Whether AITD is the original progenitor of the survival horror genre within digital entertainment, I am unsure. But, I know the francise did touch upon the idea long before RE or SH came along (I remember playing a very primitive and earlier edition of AITD on my computer as a child, and I'm almost 25 as of this review!) and improved and expanded upon the possibilities of the survival horror video game.

However, I can understand the criticism. After all, there are many...MANY...similarities between this title and RE or SH. Except the storyline follows a more evil/supernatural (a la' Silent Hill) course than any Resident Evil title, which, for me, makes the story all the more disturbing, and thus more pleasurable. The story was pleasurable because it is evident that its creators attempted to put some thought into it. I find this "evidence" in the fact that the reading files are numerous, very detailed, and serve to enrich the game's environment and plot by providing background information. The creators went at great lengths to develop the plot itself, which is richly embued with history, drama, mystery, occult practices, aboriginal culture, and malevolent supernatural forces. The puzzles can be very difficult and even frustrating, which is good in my opinion, since the idea of a puzzle in Resident Evil is pushing a few buttons or boxes in a particular order. Survival and thinking are encouraged over trigger happy shooting sprees, as ammo for the weapons are usually scarce.

I do recall that an annoying faux metal melody begins when monsters appear, this did detract from the dark atmosphere. I also recall the process required to defeat the last boss was rather anticlimatic and stupid. Some puzzles will probably require help from an online guide (thank God for gaming nerds who spend all their time figuring the nuanced elements of a video game) Other than these and a few other minor gripes, AITD 4 was a fun and creepy play. This title isn't the best (see Silent Hill for that), nor is it groundbreaking, but for those who truly love the survival horror genre, this might be a good addition to a collection, or at the very least a fun rental, if you can still find it.

Excellent in its own right!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 03, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I love survival horror games. It's one of the only reasons I play video games at all on consoles. Alone in the Dark 4 is one of those games that grows on you and now I can't stop playing it. I'm hooked.

I am a huge fan of the Resident Evil series and I think AitD4 separates itself from RE in such a way that it is close, but not too close, evoking its own sense of fear and even loathing at some of the creatures.

If you are a fan of HP Lovecraft, you will appreciate the Alone in the Dark game even more. If you haven't read, HP Lovecraft, do yourself a favor and pick up one of his books. You will find laid out before you the type of gothic horror world envisioned by a person of Lovecraft's talents and neatly woven into a game like AitD4.

For survival horror fans, you will not be disappointed with this game. I have always been a fan of Infogrames and I will be forevermore.

best horror game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 4
Date: November 09, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is the best of horror games it is very good when I play it I can't put it down i thought at the first when aline meets that old woman that was creepy the whole game is creepy if you like horror games go out and buy it you won't be sorry

Don't play it alone when the lights are out!!!!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: August 08, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I love this game! It has the music, the gore, and the terror to make this one of the best survival-horror games of all time! You can choose between two characters that you would like to be and each of them take different areas. Has creatures like rabid dogs, bugs, spiders, plants, zombies, ect. The music can be very scary just like the music for the Resident Evil series. The terror is unspeakably evil. You can go into a room and look for stuff. Then all of a sudden the lights will go out and you will see images of zombies only for a second. ...go on to the next room. This game is about as scary as Resident Evil, or Clock Tower gets. When things just pop out that is only a fraction of the horror in this game. It does challenge you with tough puzzles especially the library. This game lives up to being one of the best surrvival horror games for 2001! I like the Resident Evil series but, they are starting to loose their touch. Get this game unless you are to afraid to play it alone in the dark! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!

It was OK, but not as good as the other reviews say it is!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: August 06, 2002
Author: Amazon User

In a sense, the game does have good lighting and use of the shadowing, but it just didn't scare me that much. Maybe, that is because I have been through the horror in other games such as Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and other games in the survival-horror genre and already have experienced that. I find though that the monsters in some parts were not that frightening like the shadow monsters in the attic area. Althogh there was a somewhat frightening effect added with the monster in the water towards the beginning of the game. There wasn't that much to offer, though. I recommend the games from the Resident Evil series over this and the Dino Crisis series. They have a scarier vibe. I don't recommend playing the Silent Hill series because it is just crap with cheap monster and overly dramatic effects, which detract from any horror of the game.

ALONE IN THE DARK-RESIDENT EVIL

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 22, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is great. If you like the Resident Evil games or Dino Crisis you'll love this game.

Challenging and fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: June 20, 2002
Author: Amazon User

despite what some people may think, This game's camera angels DO NOT copy off of RE, the first game in the alone in the dark series had switching camera angles just like this game, and alone in the dark 1 was released in 1992. There's just about everything in this game, puzzles with a definite plot, different ways of doing things, combined with action and different fight scenes... etc. The only things that could have been better is that the entire storyline of alone in the dark is thrown out by this game... the second game took place in the 1920's, and this one takes place in 2001, the carnby of the original was middle-aged, now he's in his 20's... and so forth. Also, in some parts saving ammo is crucial, in other parts you have more ammo than you know what to do with. There is no more melee combat or weapons such as knives or swords. There isn't much replay value, but keep in mind there are two different missions, each one with the same basic idea but with different actions, areas, and so forth.

Great game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 10, 2002
Author: Amazon User

A wonderful game. Impressive graphics. Creepy storyline and gameplay. What more could you ask for? Buy it.

Creepy and fun!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 09, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Ok, what I know is that most survival horror video games rely more upon giving you chills and making you jump rather than gameplay. This game, however, is fun and it's creepy. The music kinda got me scared so basicly I went to option and completely muted the music. The reason that I didn't give this game 5 stars was bassicly because the puzzles were way to hard. It's impossible to beat this game without a strategy guide. Other than that, howwever, this game totally rocks.
I chose Carnby as my character. I haven't yet played Aline, I probably will soon though.

Alone in the dark for adults only

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: March 10, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I thoght this game was pretty good.It keeps you guessing and has the blood and gore to make you worry about the creators. There are even a few places that make you jump a little. SAVE YOUR AMMO whenever possible. Tword the end, after the manor, you will need it. The book is not essential if you are in mensa, so I recommend you get it. The only thing Bad to say about it is that once you get the book, you can solve it in about 12 hours. That is if you choose Carnaby as your charachter. I have not tried it as aline yet but will probably do so soon,

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