Alone in the Dark 2

Computer Gaming World in April 1994 said that the computer version of Alone in the Dark 2 "looks rich enough to meet gamers' expectations for a solid sequel". In May 1994 the magazine said that with improved graphics, it "offers plenty of game play for those who like their adventures with a dash of the macabre". In June 1994 the magazine said that the game was not "for those who are easily frustrated". It concluded that "Despite its weak ending... Alone 2 is a good, solid challenge. Much more so than its predecessor, it will test players' reflexes as well as their minds". Edge gave the PC version 9/10, praising the "more responsive" character control, "nerve-tinglingly clear" audio samples and "movie-style production" values, as well as the huge increase in the number of locations from the first game. They warn players that the game is "gruesome" and "bloody frightening", concluding that it's "also great entertainment." Reviewing the PlayStation version, Maximum called the PC original "one of the most ground-breaking arcade/adventures to date" and hailed its appearance on the PlayStation as "the first true arcade/adventure for the system." They commented approvingly on the H. P. Lovecraft-inspired locations, the way the player is eased into the controls, and the twist of having to play through a segment of the game as Grace. However, they remarked that the game is outdated and outclassed by the upcoming Resident Evil. Next Generation emphasized the last point: "frankly it's yesterday's news, and releasing it to PlayStation in the wake of Resident Evil just makes it redundant." James V. Trunzo reviewed Alone in the Dark 2 in White Wolf #47 (Sept., 1994), rating it a 4 out of 5 and stated that "In the end, Alone in the Dark 2 should be experienced by all serious gamers." Steve Bradley reviewed the PlayStation version of Alone in the Dark: Jack Is Back for Arcane magazine, rating it an 8 out of 10 overall. Bradley comments that "The 3D graphics are superb, the use of camera angles dynamic, but the strength of AITD is the sheer suspense generated as you explore a haunted mansion and its environs - it's genuinely frightening. Sure, the control can be a bit iffy (a general rule of thumb in such fare as this) and the graphics are a mite patchy, but it's by far the best roleplaying adventure game for the PlayStation." Maximum was more harsh with the 3DO version, saying that the game is far too old to be worth converting to home console. They said it looks especially poor due to being (by pure coincidence) released in Europe at the same time as the PlayStation version: "The Sony conversion boasts texture-mapped characters moving at higher speeds and with less loading time, whilst the poor old 3DO struggles with flat shaded polygons, a smaller screen size and a chugging frame rate." A reviewer for Next Generation complained that a combination of poor control and awkward fixed camera angles makes battling enemies more difficult than it should be. He nonetheless gave it a strong recommendation, and summarized it as "a direct port of the PC title, and a huge game with a great cinematic feel and lots of fiendishly clever puzzles." The Saturn version received generally negative reviews. Electronic Gaming Monthly gave it a 4.25 out of 10, citing difficult aiming, poor graphics, confusing cutscenes, absurd voice acting, and camera angles which change too frequently, making it difficult to hit enemies or get a sense of direction. Rob Bright of Sega Saturn Magazine commented that the game has "a well worked plot mixing the fantasy and myth of pirates with a bootlegging 1920s America to create a sort of Gothic noir", but echoed Electronic Gaming Monthly ' s criticisms with the aiming, graphics, and camera angles. GamePro ' s Scary Larry remarked that even though the original Alone in the Dark was the probable inspiration for Resident Evil, the sequel dramatically fails to measure up. He particularly commented that the graphics and audio lack the realism and life that made Resident Evil so scary, and that "The quirky controls don't help the less-than-appealing gameplay or the boring story line." Yasuhiro Hunter of Maximum similarly commented that the game is a feeble attempt at giving the Saturn an equivalent to Resident Evil, with a poor CG intro, frustrating controls, and animations which fail to induce Resident Evils sense of fear. He said that Alone in the Dark 2 did have a deep plot and was very good at the time of its original release on PC, but had become very outdated in the two years since. Next Generation, while acknowledging that the game was dated next to recent efforts, contended that it "still manages to hold up fairly well on its own." The reviewer criticized the sometimes poorly chosen camera angles but was pleased with the game's graphics and massive size. In 1994, PC Gamer UK named Alone in the Dark 2 the 7th best computer game of all time, calling it "an incredibly involving and film-like experience".