... they lied. There comes a point in AITD, about 80% in, where Eden Studios pulls a very cheap trick. It artificially boosts the longevity of a game perilously close to the wrong side of the six hour mark by featuring a root-killing collect-a-thon, similar to Zelda: Wind Waker's Triforce shard hunt. For one brief moment we caught sight of the game we were promised. Then, after a quick spell, it was all over.
Normally we'd find collection quests of this ilk frustrating; but the tedium of driving around Central Park to burn the 'roots of evil' is more than balanced out by some brilliant ideas. For one, the location of every root is marked on your map, so you always know where to go. Once there you'll find one of two things: a small root (in which case you burn it, yawn, and move on) or something to think about. It's these second instances which makes the cumbersome controls and inventory system all worth it.
Hurling our impromptu Molotov cocktail onto a hanging tank we activated a nearby conveyor belt which moved our explosive nearer to the root. Ten seconds later, as it burned to death, we resumed our search for Central Park's other roots, having fallen in love with Alone In The Dark a little bit more.
PARK LIFE
These moments of genius aren't just confined to the collection quest, but their impact is greater than that of the puzzles forced upon you. For the majority of AITD's short lifespan, you'll be following a carefully scripted path. The episodic structure pushes the action forward at an impressive pace, tying together otherwise incoherent strands of story. And while it's rare you'll ever want to skip ahead, it's nice to have the option to do so.
But the much touted storyline isn't quite as impressive as we were led to believe. The mystery is certainly intriguing, but half of the plot development is forced upon you - randomly arriving as a series of text messages from your companion. As subtle as a sledgehammer, this ham-fisted attempt at revealing the story shatters the illusion the rest of the game tries so hard to conjure up. And the least said about the utterly damp squib of an ending the better...
SO, DOES IT WORK?
Thankfully some of the issues we identified last issue have been rectified. Not all of them - we experienced one crash and a few glitchy areas - but the majority are sorted. Breathe a sigh of relief, for there's nothing actually game-breaking to be found here. Silly bugs that shouldn't have gotten past the testers? Undoubtedly, but on reflection they're generally pretty minor.
Even with its issues you can really see where those four years went. As much as Alone In The Dark deserves to be criticised for its problems, it equally deserves to be lavished with praise for some outstanding ideas and set-pieces. A gracious failure, AITD should stand as a lesson for other developers to see what they should be striving for.
Comments
35 comments so far...
_Marty_ on 19 Jun '08 said:
What an odd review...
What does "A gracious failure, AITD should stand as a lesson for other developers to see what they should be striving for." mean?
A gracious failure that others should be striving for? What an odd thing to say...
This is most definitely one of those I'm going to have to make my own mind up about.
mfnick on 19 Jun '08 said:
DaRockwilder1 says his copy was despatched not long ago.
Im waiting to see what him & others have to say about it. But I think i'll be waiting until it hits the bargain bin.
justy_uk on 19 Jun '08 said:
I agree, not a very helpful review.. doesn't seem to justify the score at all, just tells you what they played no pro's or cons. Hmmm...
funkyjack on 19 Jun '08 said:
I was about to comment on the exact same phrase, "gracious failure" is an odd way to sum it up when you consider he gave it 73%
So either the score is wrong, or the game is better than the review leads you to believe.
wudragon on 19 Jun '08 said:
Have you guys taken to poppin' acid prior to writing reviews these days?
Anyway, was going to buy this after work today but now i'm not quite so sure??
Update: there are a couple of user reviews on play.com which may prove slightly more informative than the above "weird" review
philgreaaaaaaaat on 19 Jun '08 said:
Might as well plump for the Wii version then, maybe the controls will make it 'graciously acceptable'?
MrXBob on 19 Jun '08 said:
Seriously. What the f**k, cvg?
I have this game waiting for me at home - I come to read a review, and what do I see? A huge f**king spoiler in the first couple of sentances.
This is totally ridiculous. We knew there was 'something' breaking the city apart, but now we know it's some kind of plant, with large roots that need destroying in the final sections of the game.
WHAT the f**k?
I'm not even joking, it was absolutely uncalled for.
Dajmin on 19 Jun '08 said:
That's an odd read, it reads like there was a huge section missing from the start.
I've read another couple of reviews though and the biggest problem seems to be the control method. It appears that's really the big stumbling block.
My concern is that the long-term strategy is gone. Like this review mentions - you find flammable stuff near a flammable door. Well great, there's genius for you.
I can see Atari patching the control system if enough people have an issue with it.
Dajmin on 19 Jun '08 said:
Double post. Stupid connection.
Macethy on 19 Jun '08 said:
read a few other reviews and thex all complain bout the control system like they did in assassins creed and mass effect and look how simple those controls are!Anyway my pre-order stays in place but im only getting it monday. . .
StonecoldMC on 19 Jun '08 said:
A disappointing review for a game that I was looking forward to.
Ill check out a couple more reviews before I decide if its a goer or not.
Mark240473 on 19 Jun '08 said:
I think peoples expectations of games have gone right out the window nowadays. Still, I expected only a half-decent game anyway. Controls should be ironed out before anything else though. Swish graphics and impressive physics seem to be at the top of most developers to-do lists. Shame really.
roger4000 on 19 Jun '08 said:
6 hours!!!! lets think about this. you buy it saturday morning from asda for 39 quid. you go home and play (say 10am) it and at 4pm you've finished it
not a chance and I was really looking forward to this.
glenquagmire on 19 Jun '08 said:
To be completly honest, by now I don't think I could care less about these reviews on cvg. I mean every game seems to be a dissapointment to them, and in fact they are usually very entertaining games. (Maybe GTA is an exception for my theory, but hell that was the biggest dissapointment of the year for me) Take the review for Age of Conan for an example, I am currently seriously enjoying it, but it got a 73%. So right now, it's probably best if I ignore these reviews because by now every one of them basically sucks.
Mogs on 19 Jun '08 said:
I'll wait for the review of the (definitive?) Wii version.
DaRockwilder1 on 19 Jun '08 said:
Thankfully my collector’s edition arrived battered so I’m returning it for a refund. I’ll just wait until it gets cheaper as well.
Anonymous on 19 Jun '08 said:
I'm guessing the term 'gracious failure' is used to suggest that AITD should be applauded for trying the things it did.... but it unfortunately came up short.
I haven't played the game personally, but I was pretty much expecting this game to fall into that category anyway.
jazzy_p on 19 Jun '08 said:
Got it early
Its a nice idea, and the controls arnt that bad...first person helps with the camera
but the first driving section....arghhhhh bugs, bugs and more bugs
the fire is awesome though
BIGAL-1992 on 19 Jun '08 said:
Ouch! Still, it's better then the wii and ps2 versions. I think they got 3/10 in a magazine in Sweden
Wazomba563 on 19 Jun '08 said:
Hmmmm like some people have said an odd review, have to agree with mr xbob about the spoiler, Why they do that? Hope the ps3 version makes up for this seeing as its been delayed but i doubt it, was really looking foward to this, at least ive got mgs4 to keep me occupied for a while
Mogs on 19 Jun '08 said:
BS
ricflair on 19 Jun '08 said:
I completely agree, this is something I've realised since getting my 360. For me controls are THE most important thing and flashy effects etc can add to the gameplay, but I can make do without them. I can not make do without a good control system.
Re the review itself; I like CVG's shorter reviews as opposed to the massive essays IGN writes (and their reviews have gone to s**t in the last few months) but come on! This review tells me pretty much nothing about the game. That said the one piece of info that the controls are crap is enough for me not to buy. I look for good stories from films and books, and when a half arsed story seems to be the only positive a game has, I'll spend £40 elsewhere!
lonewolf2002 on 20 Jun '08 said:
Are xboxworld360 and CVG one and the same? As I noted the review was done by 360world at the bottom of the review.
mfnick on 20 Jun '08 said:
No, people get them mixed up all the time.
The magazines & this site are all owned by the same company. So this site can scan features & reviews from certain magazines & place them on the site.
You need to look at the info bar at the top. It will either say CVG - in that case it is CVG reviewing it, or a magazine logo - then they have scanned/copied it onto the site.
_Marty_ on 20 Jun '08 said:
As it turned out, mine was sat on my doorstep when I got home last night.
I've only played the first level so far, but I have to say I do agree with the complaints regarding the control method. They just don't feel that great. I did, on occasions, feel I was wrestling with the controls, which is not a good sign.
That aside, though, it is a nicely cinematic game. Not too spooky or even atmospheric yet (though I had the lights on and the surround sound off, to be fair), but I'm confident it'll pick up.
Graphically the game is excellent, especially the fire, which looks real. The music is also brilliant.
I think it's gonna be one of those games I'll enjoy a play through once, and then wish they'd done a load of things differently... Which is a big shame IMO.
Also, from the little I've experienced so far, I'd say a 7/10 seems about fair - though I admit, I've only experienced the very beginning at the moment.
o Raging Bull o on 20 Jun '08 said:
Im not wasting my hard earned money on this game now,most reviews are saying its a big letdown.
One reviewer comparing the game to a puppy which you want to keep,but it keeps s**tting on your carpet,strange.
You have to feel sorry for the developers,four years to produce an underwhelming experience,they must be gutted.
_Marty_ on 20 Jun '08 said:
Honestly, the game itself seems quite good, it's just the control method leaves a lot to be desired...
MrXBob on 20 Jun '08 said:
Same here Marty, when I got home and played it last night I was actually amazed by the graphics. I was excited for the game but the graphics always looked very ropey in the trailers - they didnt do it justice.
Everything has FSAA, the textures are incredible especially on characters (although the 'damage' marks on Carnby look daft).
The controls arent THAT bad, infact they're pretty similar to RE4 in terms of general movement. I stick to first person most of the time and it's fine. Also now I'm used to the inventory (swapping left and right hand items, turning the torch on, getting a gun out quickly) it's pretty cool.
The first driving bit in the car park was incredible buggy, but actually felt a lot better to drive than they made it look in the trailers - again I was rather impressed with it.
I'm liking the direction they've gone though, it's more like an adventure than a horror game. The only bit I've jumped at (SPOILER BELOW) was:
Checking the cars after the first one crashed, trying to see if any would start - flicked down the visor, flicked it back up again and BANG a dead body lands on the windscreen. Holy s**t lol
brookie_2001 on 20 Jun '08 said:
I've ignored the reviews and just gone and picked this game up for the 360. I have always been excited for this game, ever since I saw the first screen shots. So I think I am going to at least give it a try. They deserve that much.
theideal on 20 Jun '08 said:
SIX HOURS?!!!11
For 40 quid?!
Balls to that!
owenfan on 20 Jun '08 said:
My copy is so full of glitches it is unplayable. Moments where loading fails, where the level floats... Going to take it back for a refund as although the game was good, I just do not trust another copy.
lonewolf2002 on 20 Jun '08 said:
Just wondered why everyone was pointing the finger at CVG about the quality of the review.
Miss Marvellous on 24 Jun '08 said:
Umm is your copy special or something what glitches???
This game is great very atmospheric and the best opening level to a game since God of War.
As the controls other than turning too slow in 3rd person mode the controls are fine.
MPH on 27 Jun '08 said:
After I said that I didn't want anything, the missus bought this for my birthday. I was looking forward to the game months ago but after the reviews I thought "meh", and she never knew that I no longer had an interest in it.
When I opened it, the first thing I said (and no it wasn't thank you) was "Did you keep the receipt!?". Yes I felt bad but it was a case of speak first, think later. I plonked the game in the 360 with low expectations and was simply put, rather blown away.
The controls are a bit iffy at times but they are definitely functional. It's just a case of remembering what buttons do what in various situations as they aren't necessarily laid out in the manner you might expect them to be.
The driving sections aren't too bad either, but they are incredibly unforgiving. As some have pointed out, the collision detection seems a bit off, and many a time have I had to restart due to getting stuck on random objects that should pose no problem to any car normally. I actually got stuck in the glass on the first proper driving section after you drove up the stairs and out the window. A rectangular section of glass broke and my car got wedged in it with the bonnet hanging over the edge... eventually I broke free and instead of the car flipping over front ways, it seemingly glided down to the ground the right way up.
Overall, bugs aside, I've thoroughly enjoyed it so far!
MrPirtniw on 9 Jul '08 said:
Completed it last night- and I'd have actually given it a lower score than 7.8! I mean, there's definately a good game in there somewhere- but for every good thing there are about 10 bad ones.
The graphics are generally very good- though the characters appear a little PS2-ish at times.
I really liked the DVD presentation- that was a very cool touch, however there is some really bad voice acting in here- especially by Carnby himself. He swears a lot- but doesn't sound like he really means it.
The story started off well- but is ultimately a bit naff. Especially the ending (dire to say the least. Worse than Halo 2 I must add).
The controls are simply god awful- nothing's simple to do. Drawing a weapon is fiddly in itself- and the actual combat is worse still. When accessing the inventory the game doesn't pause- so monsters will still be knawing at your face as you fumble around looking to mix alcohol with your bullets...again. Infact- most enemies can only be killed with the use of fire- which becomes ridiculously tedious. Find something that can be set alight- find some fire- clumsily set it on fire (not yourself though)- turn to face your opponent and... get the weapon knocked out of your hand. Repeat or die. (that's for if and when you run out of ammo).
Alot of the time is spent driving around looking for stuff you can use. Carnby can't hold a lot- which is realistic... but again slightly tedious.
The driving sections are floaty with some really dodgy collision detection- my car on many occasions was forced to stop due to hitting a curb. A curb!!
...maybe I'm being a little unfair- as underneath it all was a great game dying to get out. The music is also very atmospheric and of a great quality.
I was literally shouting at my TV (like a nutter, yes) due to some of the silly glitches which plague this otherwise great game... gutted.