We haven’t heard much from THQ Nordic’s Alone in the Dark reboot since its surprise launch last year, but now the promising project is back with an October 25th release date, and – for the impatient among us – a playable prologue is now available.
The original Alone in the Dark, for those too young to remember, was released in 1992 and offered a truly groundbreaking journey into the unknown. It’s considered the granddaddy of the survival horror genre, pioneering the fixed-camera horror house formula that would influence films like Resident Evil and Silent Hill.
Directed by THQ Nordic’s Soma and Amnesia with Sweden’s Pieces Interactive, Alone in the Dark: Dark Origins is directed by writer Mikael Hedberg – picking up the basic premise of the 1992 original, aided by private detective Edward Carnby. Emily Hartwood investigates her uncle’s suicide in the gloomy Derceto mansion and amps up the Southern Gothic as she tries to filter the originals’ mix of exploration, combat, puzzles and story through a more modern lens.
As THQ previously revealed, its reboot will feature segments set outside the mansion, taking Carnby and Hartwood to forgotten cemeteries, bayous, and more. And now it’s been confirmed that our playable heroes will be portrayed by Stranger Things’ David Harbor and Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer, respectively (solving a lingering mystery). Depending on the character you choose, you’ll get a different perspective on the story with alternate events and unique NPC reactions that give you a reason to play twice.
There’s a lot about THQ’s reboot, from its catchy Southern Gothic aesthetic to its Dark Jazz soundtrack (courtesy of musician Jason Kohne) that absolutely tickles my horror-loving buttons, and equally curious gamers taking their first tentative steps in the new Alone they can throw. Dark with a playable prologue episode Steam, PlayStation 5and Xbox Series X/S from today.
The decision to omit the prologue is said to be inspired by Alone in the Dark 2’s Jack in the Dark demo, which will cast players as a young girl, Grace, as she explores Derceto Mansion to send a letter to Emily Hartwood. his uncle’s will. Pieces Interactive suggests that this should give players an idea of the overall atmosphere that Alone in the Dark is working on in the full version, but notes that the combat is not featured due to the protagonist’s age.
If the prologue has you hooked, THQ Nordic wants to highlight Alone in the Dark’s pre-order bonus DLC, which I’ll admit is pretty neat. Called the Deceto 1992 Costume Pack, it allows players to replace the reboot version of Carnby and Hartwood with the original 1992 character models.
Alone in the Dark will be released in two versions on October 25 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC; standard edition (priced at £49.99/€59.99/$59.99 USD), plus the aforementioned Costume Pack, which includes an art book, a vintage horror filter pack, plus reboot director Mikael Hedberg and a special commentary mode There is a Deluxe Version. , Frederic Raynal, creator of the original game.