Set in 1920s Louisiana, the game follows either Edward Carnby (a private investigator) or Emily Hartwood (the niece of the mansion’s deceased owner). After being hired to investigate the mysterious Derceto Mansion, the protagonist soon finds themselves trapped inside, forced to uncover the dark secrets of the cursed house. Ghosts, monsters, and occult horrors stalk the halls, and the player must survive using limited resources, puzzle-solving skills, and exploration.
Release & Platforms
- Original Release: 1992
- Platforms: MS-DOS (PC)
- Later ports & re-releases:
- 3DO (1994)
- Mac OS (1994)
- FM Towns (1993, Japan)
- iOS (2014, briefly available)
- GOG / Steam (digital re-releases)
Gameplay & Innovations
- 3D Polygonal Characters + Pre-rendered Backgrounds: One of the first games to use this hybrid, later adopted by Resident Evil.
- Tank Controls: Introduced the “fixed camera angle + tank movement” system that would define survival horror through the ‘90s.
- Resource Management: Limited ammo and health items meant fighting wasn’t always the best choice.
- Puzzle-Solving & Exploration: Progress required logical item use and careful navigation, laying the foundation for Silent Hill and Resident Evil.
- Atmosphere-Driven Horror: Emphasis on mood, isolation, and occult storytelling over pure action.
Significance in Survival Horror
Alone in the Dark is often considered the first true survival horror game, predating Resident Evil by four years. While earlier titles like Sweet Home (1989) had survival mechanics, Alone in the Dark established:
- The fixed-camera cinematic presentation.
- Fear through vulnerability (slow movement, scarce ammo).
- A blend of action, exploration, and puzzle-solving.
It directly inspired Shinji Mikami and Capcom in creating Resident Evil (1996), which popularized the genre globally. Without Alone in the Dark, survival horror as we know it would not exist.
GOG Link: https://www.gog.com/en/game/alone_in_the_dark_the_trilogy_123
Trailer / Gameplay Footage