The survival horror genre’s success has paved the way for a wide variety of horror subgenres to be utilized by different games. Nearly every game in the wider genre offers something different for horror fans, whether that’s zombies, ghost stories, psychological horror, cosmic horror, and beyond. As one of the originators of the survival horror genre,Alone in the Darkhas always brought a clever mix of genre inspirations to the table, and the upcomingAlone in the Darkseries reimagining seeks to do the same. One of the big questions, though, is how the developer gets these disparate influences to form something cohesive.
Like the original title, 2024’sAlone in the Darkpresents players with a compelling mystery surrounding a haunted house called Derceto Manor in a Southern Gothic horror setting. And while it may seem like that kind of horror story has a clear trajectory given its genre trappings, fans of theAlone in the Darkseries should recall that the franchise has a penchant for dabbling inLovecraftian influencesand introducing some truly out-there horror elements to boot. Getting this mix of horror inspirations to work is a delicate balance, so Game Rant asked Pieces Interactive during a recent interview if there were any horror trappings or tropes the studio wanted to avoid.
Alone in the Dark’s Horror Doesn’t Let ‘Anything Go’
WhereResident Evilembraces B-movie camp and over-the-top gore andSilent Hillleans into psychological horrorand existential dread,Alone in the Darkhas traditionally been a blending of a classic haunted house tale with cosmic horror elements. It’s the “haunted house” vibe ofAlone in the Darkthat helps to set it apart from the other progenitors of the survival-horror genre, but it also happens to be one of the biggest challenges in getting the series' horror balance pitched correctly.
Creative director and writer Mikael Hedberg told us the one thing he wanted to avoid was the idea that “anything goes.”
The only real thing I like to avoid when it comes to horror, and stories in general, is “anything goes.” Everything that happens must follow the internal rules of the story. Even though we are in a haunted house, it can’t be haunted in the sense that we can just throw anything at the player. This doesn’t mean that everything should be spelled out as to why they happen. Strange things can still happen, but there needs to be a reason for it. I think the audience is smart enough to sense when a storyteller is just chucking everything at them, and it feels a little insulting.
Along with the goal for each ofAlone in the Dark’s horror elementsto make sense within the context of its story is the game’s tonal consistency. Rather than make players feel an adrenaline rush like inResident Evilor a pervading sense of dread similar to playingSilent Hill,Alone in the Darkopts for something much more in line with its literary horror influences, putting atmosphere and an air of mystery at the forefront.
Ultimately, just like the original game in the series, the core ofAlone in the Darkis a compelling mystery that sees players trying to decipher the secrets of a haunted mansion with a rich history. And concerning any surprises players uncover along the way, there’s every indication that the studio will build onAlone in the Dark’s Derceto Manor, rather than undermine them.
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Alone in the Dark weaves a chilling tapestry of psychological horror and Southern Gothic charm, reimagining the iconic game that set the benchmark for the genre. We invite you to join us on a journey into madness, where each encounter could be your last. With each step you take closer to unravelling Derceto’s mystery, the eyes that watch from the darkness grow hungrier.Every bullet means the difference between survival and an unthinkable end. The next door you unlock could lead to a nightmarish realm offering nothing but slashing claws, grasping tentacles, and frayed sanity. Journey to interbellum Louisiana, where an era of decadence hides a darker tale - of escape from past traumas and an intolerant society, into the waiting grasp of something darker, something that has patiently lurked for impossible eons.This is Alone in the Dark as you’ve never seen it - a skillfully-woven narrative of Southern Gothic elegance and eldritch madness that pays homage to its legendary origins while taking the next step forward in survival horror storytelling.
