Alone In The Dark: Inferno

Playing 'Alone In The Dark: Inferno' marked my first experience in the Alone In The Dark franchise, which I am aware has been prolific in its game releases for over a decade. Despite my unfamiliarity with the series, I wanted to try this title out because I am an avid fan of adventure games, a genre that cannot certainly boast many PS3 titles, being the PS3 foremost releases centred on first-person shooting games. Notwithstanding the several negative reviews I had come across before looking into it, I still wanted to give it a go, understanding that sometimes opinions might differ altogether and what to some may appear dire might just appeal to others.

In terms of its story, "Alone In The Dark: Inferno" is entirely structured as a horror film, a prospective homage to the 2005 film starring Christian Slater and its most recent, yet less fortunate, 2008 sequel. Divided into several chapters which players can access at any time without affecting the story mode, the beginning… more »

Playing 'Alone In The Dark: Inferno' marked my first experience in the Alone In The Dark franchise, which I am aware has been prolific in its game releases for over a decade. Despite my unfamiliarity with the series, I wanted to try this title out because I am an avid fan of adventure games, a genre that cannot certainly boast many PS3 titles, being the PS3 foremost releases centred on first-person shooting games. Notwithstanding the several negative reviews I had come across before looking into it, I still wanted to give it a go, understanding that sometimes opinions might differ altogether and what to some may appear dire might just appeal to others.

In terms of its story, "Alone In The Dark: Inferno" is entirely structured as a horror film, a prospective homage to the 2005 film starring Christian Slater and its most recent, yet less fortunate, 2008 sequel. Divided into several chapters which players can access at any time without affecting the story mode, the beginning episode of the game sees the protagonist, a paranormal investigator namely Edward Carnby, held captive by a sect of unnamed criminals for apparently inexplicable reasons. Upon escaping his imprisonment and suffering a temporary amnesia, Edward discovers that New York City has been overthrown by a malignant force and meets a museum curator and ancient history scholar, Theophile Paddington who makes him aware of the existence of a talisman, only wielder of the power to eradicate the unholy force that has seized the city. In his delicate task, along with the aforementioned mysterious scholar, Edward will be aided by a charming yet frail art dealer named Sarah, who will help him work clues out and find a way to thwart the madness which New York City has been plunged into.

As far as the game play is concerned, I have found the chance to toggle between the first-person mode and the third-person one particularly delectable, a shift that is sometimes required to solve certain puzzles but which is mostly left to the player's own discretion . The second genial innovation is the weapon creation, which not only allows players to exploit all items in the game by picking them up and manufacturing them into effective weapons, but it also surpasses the confines of adventure video-gaming in which players can only range within the limits of a provided arsenal. Beside the aforementioned two innovations, I have enjoyed the interaction with the environment, well-engineered in a myriad of ways. Donning Edward Carnby's clothes, players will experience enhanced fighting sequences in which they will conjoin their custom weapons with a clever exploitation of the environment, allowing them to blow up enemies by setting them on fire ( the most effective way to defeat enemies in this game), simply by holding blazing chairs towards them; hotwire cars in absence of keys; repel carnivorous oozing liquids by shedding light onto them, and so much more.

In conclusion, I have enormously enjoyed playing this game, for trying it out has not only ushered me into the Alone In The Dark series, but it has also allowed me to confute all the negative reviews I had read about the game. However, I would also like to point out that the game is much too easy and even the trophies can be cleared without much trouble, making it one of those few PS3 games in which it is easy to get a platinum trophy. Therefore, in addition to the fact that it lacks an online function, I would recommend to hire this game out instead of buying it, for there would be little use to it after clearing all trophies.

First of all let me just say that because the price has been dropped it doesn't mean the game is rubbish! Far from it. This game is excellent. I remember when The Darkness came out, the price droppped dramatically and people presumed it was bad, WRONG, The Darkness was another underrated game.

What we have here is a little gem of a game, Ok it may not match Resident Evil or Silent HIll but does it matter? After all it isn't pretending to be something it's not. The game is an enjoyable experience from start to finish. The graphics are great and glossy, the voice acting is top notch and the soundtrack fits perfectly well with the game. The game is split into episodes and before each one you get a ''previously' intro'' kinda like Siren: Blood Curse.

Sometimes the combat can be a little messy but i mean a little as once you get used to it it's fine. You can even create your own weapons (to a point), like flame throwers and explosives.
There are a couple of drving… more »

First of all let me just say that because the price has been dropped it doesn't mean the game is rubbish! Far from it. This game is excellent. I remember when The Darkness came out, the price droppped dramatically and people presumed it was bad, WRONG, The Darkness was another underrated game.

What we have here is a little gem of a game, Ok it may not match Resident Evil or Silent HIll but does it matter? After all it isn't pretending to be something it's not. The game is an enjoyable experience from start to finish. The graphics are great and glossy, the voice acting is top notch and the soundtrack fits perfectly well with the game. The game is split into episodes and before each one you get a ''previously' intro'' kinda like Siren: Blood Curse.

Sometimes the combat can be a little messy but i mean a little as once you get used to it it's fine. You can even create your own weapons (to a point), like flame throwers and explosives.
There are a couple of drving sections and these are actually really good and the cars are easy to drive. I wont give anything away but the first driving section trying to get through NYC to goto Central Park was amazing.
The only reason i didn't award it 5 stars is because the game is a little short. Hopefully the next one will be longer.
If you like action / survival horror / adventure games then i highly recommend this. This really is one gem of a title and for the price you can't really complain.

You want my advice, BUY IT!!!

:)