15 Alone in the Dark (1992) Facts, Quotes, Gameplay Tips

“Alone in the Dark” is a survival horror video game series. The first installment was released in 1992, developed by Infogrames and designed by Frédérick Raynal. It is often considered one of the original pioneers of the survival horror genre, preceding the better-known Resident Evil series.

In the original game, players can choose between the characters Edward Carnby – a private investigator, or Emily Hartwood, the niece of the deceased owner, to explore a haunted mansion. The game takes place in the late 1920s, and the chosen character is trapped in the mansion and needs to find a way to escape while unraveling the mystery of the mansion’s previous owner’s occult activities.

Alone in the Dark Facts

1. “Alone in the Dark” was first released in 1992, making it one of the earliest examples of the survival horror genre.
2. The game was developed by French company Infogrames, with the game’s design led by Frédérick Raynal.
3. “Alone in the Dark” is often credited as the first 3D survival horror game.
4. The game offered a choice between two protagonists: Edward Carnby, a private investigator, or Emily Hartwood, the niece of the mansion’s former owner.
5. The story was heavily inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, a famous horror fiction author.
6. “Alone in the Dark” used a fixed-camera perspective, a technique later employed in many other survival horror games including “Resident Evil”.
7. In contrast to many later survival horror games, “Alone in the Dark” placed a heavy emphasis on puzzle-solving and exploration over combat.
8. The game pioneered the use of 3D characters over pre-rendered backgrounds, which was a novel approach at the time.
9. “Alone in the Dark” spawned several sequels and spin-offs, although none received the same level of acclaim as the original.
10. Despite its age, the original “Alone in the Dark” is still recognized for its atmospheric horror and innovative game design.
11. The game’s protagonist, Edward Carnby, has appeared in multiple entries in the series, becoming a staple character of “Alone in the Dark”.
12. In 2008, a reboot of the game was released, simply titled “Alone in the Dark”, which shifted the series into a more action-oriented direction.
13. “Alone in the Dark” has been adapted into two films, released in 2005 and 2008. Both were critically panned.
14. The game has been released on numerous platforms over the years, including MS-DOS, 3DO, and iOS.
15. The game’s critical success led to Infogrames creating a new subsidiary, I-Motion, in the United States to handle the game’s marketing and distribution, marking the French company’s entry into the American market.

Alone in the Dark Quotes

1. “The last rays of daylight faded away. I decided to survey the manor to familiarize myself with my surroundings.”
2. “Another surprise — there was no electricity. But then, back at the office, I had thought that to spend the night here would be a laugh.”
3. “Derceto’s reputation was becoming clear. More and more, I was discovering its dark side. Clouds in my mind began to take shape.”
4. “The night was well advanced when I finally pulled into the courtyard. Before me stood the manor.”
5. “The wind was picking up, whipping the building and howling like a beast. At the end of the drive, the warm lights of my car shone onto Derceto and made the shadows dance in its stone statuary.”

Alone in the Dark Gameplay Tips

• Explore Everywhere: The game is full of hidden items and clues that can help you progress, so be sure to thoroughly explore every room and corridor.
• Conserve Resources: Like many survival horror games, resources in “Alone in the Dark” are limited. Use your items wisely and avoid combat whenever possible to conserve your health and ammunition.
• Use the Environment: Many enemies can be defeated or avoided by using the environment. For example, some enemies can be trapped behind furniture or other obstacles.
• Save Often: The game can be very unforgiving, with many sudden deaths and difficult encounters. Save your game regularly so that you don’t lose too much progress if you die.
• Solve Puzzles Carefully: Many of the puzzles in the game require careful thought and observation. Take your time to understand each puzzle before attempting to solve it.
• Study the Enemy: Each enemy has its own strengths and weaknesses. Learn these and use them to your advantage during combat.
• Read Everything: There are numerous books and notes scattered around the game world. These often provide important hints or background information, so be sure to read everything you find.
• Experiment with Items: Many items have multiple uses, so don’t be afraid to experiment. An item that seems useless at first might be crucial later on.
• Watch Your Step: There are numerous traps and hazards throughout the game. Be careful where you step, and try to anticipate dangers before they happen.
• Practice Timing: In combat, timing is crucial. Learn the timing of your attacks and your enemies’ attacks to gain the upper hand.

Alone in the Dark Game Controls

• Arrow keys: Move the character forward, backward, or turn left and right.
• Ctrl + Arrow keys: Perform actions like open/close, search, and fight.
• Spacebar: Jump.
• Enter: Access inventory.

In the inventory screen:

• Arrow keys: Scroll through items.
• Enter: Select an item.
• Ctrl: Use or combine an item.

Alone in the Dark Walkthrough

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