The buzz surrounding Alone in the Dark in the lead-up to its release was less than optimistic. Several early reviewers tore the game to shreds, and Atari, the game's publisher, threatened lawsuits against the publications with these reviews. Not only that, but the title was supposedly a victim of its many delays, with gamers complaining about numerous inexcusable issues ranging from mediocre graphics to game-breaking glitches. However, for every voice insulting the title's negatives features, there was another praising its virtues. The gap between the two opposing points of view on the game became wider and wider with each review. Now, after playing Alone in the Dark, I can finally understand the dual nature of this debate.

Alone in the Dark is a survival horror game at its core, putting players in control of Edward Carnby, an amnesiac who wakes up in New York City during a large scale, paranormal event. Cultists lead by a mysterious man named Crowley captures him and a man named Theophile. After escaping his captors, Edward meets up with Sarah Flores, an art dealer caught in the middle of the attack, and Theophile, who also managed to escape, and claims to know Edward and hopes to help fend off the demonic attack. They make their way to Central Park to follow what Theophile calls “The Path of Light,” and players work their way through the park investigating its shady past and horrid secrets.