Alone in the Dark 2

The Good

I own the PlayStation version, and it is one of my favourite games. It is hard to come by now, so if you can find a copy....

Alone in the Dark 2 isn't really a horror game. It is horror like in that there's another big mansion with a creepy feel to it, but the enemies in this game act just like normal pirates, and the emphasis is focused more on action than horror.

The controls are very annoying. You have to press different keys at once, and you also have to do a lot of running. If you get cornered by a pirate armed with a Tommy gun, it usually signals the end of your game unless you can find a way to get past this problem.

The story involves the kidnapping of a young child, and the subsequent attempts to rescue her from the clutches of a fearsome pirate gangster. You play as Edward Carnby, the same detective from the original Alone in the Dark game (although it is almost impossible to compare the two since they are so different).

Anything can be used as a weapon against the pirate goons: Frying pans, guns, swords or even your own fists and feet. This is quite clever in my view. The numerous notes you find barely serve a purpose, but they do add a background story to many of the strange foes you encounter.

Playing as Little Grace Saunders is a lot of fun. But sadly, it is not to last as you will quickly resume gameplay as Edward Carnby shortly there after. Hearing Grace make baby like noises as she attempts to ascend a ladder on the pirate's ship is quite cute, and it is strangely challenging having to control a character who has many childish restrictions.

There are loads of environments to explore and the notes are narrated by voice actors, which is quite exciting.

The Bad
Awkward controls, outdated graphics and an emphasis on shooting rather than puzzles make Alone in the Dark 2 a major disappointment to fans of the H.P. Lovecraft-esque original. If you can look past the flaws, then you have a fun game to play through.

The Bottom Line
It might be a sequel to a horror game, but fans of the original may be let down by this very different sequel.