Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare - Dreamcast

The Alone in the Dark series is not the best-known video game franchise in the world, but it is extremely popular to those familiar with the series and its style. Originally released back in the early nineties, these games were simple to look at, but posed an enormously mind-blowing challenge. Completing such games was no mean feat in anyone’s book. After a quiet period in the latter half of the decade, the series is back on track, courtesy of Infogrames, with the release of the fourth instalment of the series, Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare for Dreamcast.

The infamous supernatural detective Edward Carnby is back to avenge his best friend’s death. His findings prompt him to embark upon a survival-horror adventure to recover three tablets. If he fails, the door to an incredible and dangerous power will open. Do you have the nerve?

Whilst identical in almost every aspect to the other versions of the game, the Dreamcast’s 128-bit technology and the option of a 50/60Hz switch ensures that this version is the smoothest there is. The game’s pre-rendered backdrops are clean and lacking in pixelation and the polygonal characters are also beautifully rendered. Environments are generally dark and doomy, but boast a high level of interactivity and atmospheric quality. Moving around within a game like this is generally slow-paced, but the plot is engrossing and the puzzles are challenging to the extent that all negative thoughts are forgotten. You will initially be armed with only a flashlight and pistol, so survival should be on the top of your priority list to say the least. As long as you keep your nerve and utilise the clues you gain, you should be okay – hopefully.

Overall, The New Nightmare’s terror factor is along the same lines as Resident Evil and Silent Hill, and it offers some amazing gameplay. Not for the faint-hearted. more