When Alone In The Dark appeared, many pc gamers were amazed with the superb graphics, laughed at how funny Edward Carnby walked, and shocked at how scary a computer game could be. It was the first of its type and was regarded as the best until Resident Evil came along and offered better graphics, sound, blood, and and 18 certificate.

With two rather average sequels the forth in this series needed to be good. I'll start by apologizing for the screenshots. They are dark, but lightened up didn't really capture the atmos as good. sorry. You are once again playing Edward Carnby, and new for this version is the ability to also play the same game from a different perspective as Aline Cedrac. Right from the intro you are drawn in by the music and feeling this game gives you. Like the original, and unlike the two sequels, Alone In The Dark 4 has this special kind of horror atmosphere. The intro is short, but tells you about how the two characters are drawn to Shadow Island.

There is a plot, but the basics are that you must recover 3 ancient tablets believed to hold the secret key to a menacing phenomena. It was disappointing to see that the intro was of a slight low quality look to it which spoilt it really.

The Graphics

The lighting effects are somewhat special in Alone In The Dark 4. Most of the game you are holding a touch creeping around waiting for the point that almost jumps you out of your skin as your torch captures a glimpse of a hideous creature only after one thing. Your Blood!

The backgrounds your character are in are especially well done. They have that hand drawn look to them and it looks like the developers really spent quite some time making the many different locations look top notch quality. The graphics fit the game very well and adds to the tension.

The Gameplay

The game play in Alone In The Dark 4 is just like the original. Collect various objects within and outside a house on Shadow Island to progress you on your quest for the 3 tablets. Each room offers new object and challenging puzzles. Each puzzle requires you to be logical or have a good mind. Some of the puzzles are very tricky and difficult to solve, but most are pretty easy. There are no difficulty levels which is a shame, but playing as Edward Carnby is slightly easier than as Aline Cedrac. This could be counted as a difficulty level as I guess I can let the developers off.

The monsters do not appear as frequently as you would expect in games like Resident Evil, but this adds to the excitement by making you wonder what's going to jump out next and where its going to come from, rather than automatically knowing there will be monsters waiting for you on the other side of that next door as in Resident Evil. This is superb for tension and it genuinely makes you jump sometimes when you least expect it.

The Sound

The music is substantial within the game and plays throughout. The music has been composed so well it sounds like its a part of the game and the tension. Music gets louder on meeting up with a monster and sometimes to make you think there is a monster about to jump out. The sound effect are OK but not bold and loud enough to really make an impact. The rocket launcher sounds like a pea shooter. This is disappointing, and lowers the final rating I have given this game by a few percent.

Overall

Alone In The Dark 4 is along with the original Alone in the Dark a rare breed. Great graphics that are so well drawn, good music, and best of all its a frightening adventure that leaves you clinging on to your seat with tension. The puzzles are good, but sometimes oddly difficult, but logical, and the lightning effects are what your graphics cards are made of. Coupled with the fact it will run on a reasonably low spec machine (with 3D card) it has to be a good buy for most who like horror films, and adventure games combined.