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Homepage | Reviews | Competitions | Guest Rooms | Miscellaneous | Editor |
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Alone in
the Dark: The New Nightmare |
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A game that inspired the creation of a
series of ‘survival horror’ titles has recently launched its latest episode and
if you enjoyed playing Resident Evil, Fear Effect or Silent Hill you won’t want to
miss ALONE IN THE DARK: THE NEW NIGHTMARE…! Building on foundations
laid by the classic horror writer H. P. Lovecraft the gameplay focuses on our inner fears,
concentrating subtle sound effects and moody graphics until they become almost tangible. A
creaking floorboard, a howling wind, a distant sound or a cry of anguish are, alone, not
particularly scary but combine them and prolong them, meld them with eerie settings and
dark shadows and your pulse will begin to quicken, your chest begin to thud…! Then,
when the unnameable steps into the dim arc of brightness seeping from your flashlight,
then will you begin to know true terror…! Several instances of what lies ahead are thrust at you very early
in the game in which you can play as either of the two main characters. Edward Camby is
back in his role of supernatural detective and he’s joined by anthropologist Aline
Cedrac for this latest spooky adventure, which centres on the aptly named Shadow Island. Edward’s friend, Charles Fisk, has been found dead near the
island. He had been trying to locate the whereabouts of three ancient Indian tablets when
he died and Edward is sent to continue the investigation together with Aline, a specialist
on the subject. Parachuting down the couple gets separated, she landing on the roof of a
decrepit old manor and he crashing into the overgrown and eerie gardens. Of course
there’s a storm with all the requisite thunder and lightning, which adds even more
atmosphere to the dark, creepy setting. If you choose Aline your fist task is to get into the house where
you’ll immediately be confronted by a blind old lady who warns you to leave before
its too late. However, it’s already too late as ‘things’ begin to appear
from the dark recesses of the house. Edward isn’t much better off in the garden and
quickly comes across an injured man muttering similar warnings. My shock here was when I
approached an iron gate. The lightning crashed and strange shadows flickered on the screen
– well, it made me jump…! Between them our two intrepid adventurers initially have only a couple of walkie-talkies, a torch apiece and a handgun but it’s the torches that are most useful. Its very effective beam not only uncovers other vital objects and clues but also the hideous nightmare creatures that inhabit the darkness. Apparently there are around 190 different ones scuttling around,
each more grotesque than the last and feeding of our fears. Fortunately, they are also not
too fond of the light – enter the torch again – and any other conceivable light
source you happen to come across. Remember also that they are not too easy to kill…!
I pumped five shots into one before he crumpled and even the rabid dogs in the courtyard
needed three to put them down. This alone should tell you that finding key equipment,
particularly ammo, is a vital part of the gameplay. You’re not going to last too long
without it…! Battling monsters is just a part of solving the mystery however and
finding hidden areas discovering clues and unravelling puzzles are just as important. It’s creepy and it’s spooky but this ain’t no
Addams Family romp…! It will have your heart skipping beats and the hairs on your
neck standing rigidly to attention as you try to unravel the secrets of Shadow Island. ALONE
IN THE DARK: THE NEW NIGHTMARE is available for Playstation at £29.99. |
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