Video Games : Alone in the Dark (PS3)

Rating: - Average Survival Horror Game
So, I had and got rid of, Alone in the Dark on the Xbox360, beacuse of the problems that it had. So, when I heard a 'definitive' version was going to be released for PS3, I had to go out and get it. Here is my trademark review:

GOOD POINTS:
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+ The graphics are very good, along with the character models
+ Nicely designed and realised monsters
+ Brilliant flame/fire effects (amongst the best I have seen on any game)
+ Suitably scary & menacing with appropriate lighting
+ ALL the bugs that blighted the XBox360 version have been fixed
+ Good presentation

BAD POINTS:
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- The annoying story is still there.
- Clumsy driving, fighting & weapon control is also still in the game.
- Soundtrack and effects are dull, which is a shame
- The fact is they COULD and SHOULD have changed all the 'fiddly' things but did not.

OVERALL: Not many companies get a 2nd bit of the cherry, but while Atari has fixed the bugs and some other annoyances from the other versions, the whole package is still a bit lacking. Some control and technical problems are the main obstacles that this game find to really shine, a shame because it's filled with good ideas and has a great presentation. Buy something like Resident Evil 4 (or 5 when it comes out) or Dead Space instead.

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Rating: - Not as good as it used to be
I don't want to be critical about the game as it has only just arrived for us to purchase. However, I personally find myself - as a survival horror game lover - that it is too flawed for me to want to go out and buy it.
Firstly, I want to start out with a positive because when Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare arrived on the PSone I was astounded by the level of detail, gripping sound effects and awesome playability in contrast with the year it came out.
One thing that always stands out with the Alone in the Dark series is the constant reaping sound and lighting details. And it's not very often that a game has made me jump - this game created that feeling for me that I did not want to carry on incase an event triggered diasterous affects or something jumped out at me!
And awesomely, this feature in the series has still kept that concept and the dynamics combined with better graphics on the PS3 system have made it even more intense.
BUT, and this is a big but. Graphics-wise I am not entirely sure they are cutting edge and next-gen. Cutscenes tend to look very detailed and crisp, but in terms of initial gameplay, for me personally, they are nothing special, and in some ways bug me immensely.
I wish I wasn't so apprehensive about realism and minor details that make games almost life-like, because I know it is already difficult enough for game developers to create realistic situations and even those details where you don't really realise but they make everything so much more identifiable. BUT I am in particular always noticeable of these details, and the amount of it lacking in the gameplay really bugs me out!
When I look at the faces of those I am trying to help, or of those that I am up against, I am not wowed by the level of detail in their facial features and their expressions, I am not wowed by the general movements of the characters and enemies, and I find it rather slack and as if it hasn't been produced to the best of their abilities. I am not wowed by the detail in the weaponry. When a gun is un-holstered it is not specular and realistic, the sound is poor and the lack of blood that arises from enemies you've shot? What's up with that? There's plenty of it to be seen in and around the environments but surely when I shoot someone I wanna see a bit of reaction, a bit of pain, a bit of gore? And this game doesn't give that realism for me.
One thing that bothers me alot is the camera angles and control movements, they are difficult and create awkward situations for yourself. Once again, I feel they have not worked on the sensitivity and other issues surrounding the controls and it is rather slack.
The types of environments get very tedious as well, and I find myself twiddling my thumbs at some of the more intense areas where creatures leap out at you, or something or someone vaguely in the distance is screaming for their lives while you cautiously make your way through a passageway and then, the trivial cliché arrives, which you expected anyway, but with no sense of originality! *gasp*
So ... with that in mind, this seems like a very negative review, and I suppose, in turn it is - mostly. But, this is just my personal opinion which I am sharing with the public to consider.
And it's a shame really that I can't get into the game and really accept it for what it is because I really like the series and I like how particular concepts in this game have reached there peak and other elements haven't quite been captured in other horror games such as Silent Hill and Resident Evil.
But, alas, I cannot like it for what it is. When I compare it to the previous edition in the series which I loved, this strikes me as a dissapointment.
As for the gamers that thoroughly enjoy this game, I wish I could be in your shoes! =)

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Rating: - Demo thoughts
Hello

Ive been playing the PS3 demo and i must say its got me hooked into buying the game the end of this week (14th). I dont tend to rush and buy anything that feels or looks good as a game is from start to end, not just a demo.

Ive played the 360 version and this PS3 version felt better, much better.. Item selection was much quicker, the driving section in the demo felt good and responsive for the most part and the whole feeling of control and movement felt better overall...

There is said to be more content tweaks in the PS3 version and this can only be a good thing as this game has alot of promise.. The demo will pull you in if you like action suvival horror!!.. Its got great set pieces and some cool and interesting ideas for combat and escaping the enemy...

Ive def got my eye on the full games release... Im a fan of these types of games also i must add... If the story and action continues like the demo starts then this should be a decent game indeed?..

Thanks for reading

Dave

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Rating: - PS3 version might make it much better
For those of you who got to play the game earlier by buying the game for different platforms (Xbox 360 etc)you may be aware that the game received some critical reviews and you may have experienced some faults with the game yourself. This PS3 version, however, WILL have some changes and fixes, including:

Enhanced camera controls allows complete 360° freedom of the camera and better handling of first person view camera movement for even more immersive gameplay;

Quicker and smoother reactivity of the hero's movements in third person view make for more rapid movements in nail-biting situations;

More logical jacket inventory system with the ability to combine objects using only the D-pad, and more fluid hero movement makes item selection a breeze.

Players will get all the help they need to get through every situation and get the most out of the game;

A tutorial explains the need to burn roots in order to gain spectral vision and difficulty tuning means less spectral vision is required to reach the end of the game;

Car handling has been tuned to make driving a car a walk in the park in every situation, including increased suspension and reduced drift;

59th Street has been tweaked for a more satisfying race against the fissure with difficulty tuning, an added checkpoint at Columbus Circle and clear voice directions given by Sarah;

An exclusive new sequence has been added in Episode 6 for even more pace and variety of gameplay in the episode.

A patch for the Xbox 360 version relies on the success of this version. Just thought I would let people know who were basing their purchase on the other versions that this game will have improvements and to give it a fair chance based on that.