Pieces Interactive’s new reboot of Alone in the Dark is on track to be one of 2023’s most exciting horror titles; with an intriguing mystery storyline, a unique interbellum setting, and an emphasis on creeping dread over bombastic action.
In a recent press conference, the developers managed to allay any fears that this is going to be yet another stinker in the franchise (like 2015’s unutterably awful Illumination). Here, they showcased their reverence for the original game, evidenced a keen understanding of the genre that they are operating in, and even announced that a pair of Hollywood A-listers have joined the cast, in the form of David Harbour and Jodie Comer.
The fact that the game is shaping up so promisingly is a bit of a double-edged sword, however, because it means that the wait until its release on October 25th is going to be even more agonizing.
Fortunately, a sample of what Pieces Interactive have been cooking up is available for you to try right now, courtesy of a standalone prologue chapter. Titled Grace in the Dark (a sly nod to 1993’s Jack in the Dark, which was similarly used as a promotional teaser), this serves as a prequel to the main story, set a couple of weeks earlier.
Putting you in control of a young girl named Grace Saunders, it introduces you to the private mental hospital setting of Derceto. Your goal is to try and post a distressing letter to Emily Hartwood — Jodie Comer’s character — that will ultimately set in motion the events of the game.
Given that you’re playing as a child here, the prologue is inevitably a combat-free experience, so don’t go expecting any frenetic gunfights. Rather, it’s more of a mood piece that sets up the narrative and gives you a general idea of the tone. If you played the Maiden demo for Resident Evil: Village or the Beginning Hour teaser for RE7, then it’s very much in the same vein as those.
Over email, publisher THQ Nordic also confirmed to Bloody Disgusting that there will be basic puzzles for you to solve as well, so there will be at least some degree of interactivity.
Speaking about the genesis of Grace in the Dark at the press conference, Writer-Director Mikael Hedberg said: “The [idea] came from THQ. They wanted to do this marketing thing as a separate little project, and I immediately knew what we should do for it […] It was very fun. I hope everyone enjoys it.”
“The prologue is a glimpse into the atmosphere, the mood and, of course, the story of the full game. It doesn’t spoil anything. It basically just sets it up a little.”
Incidentally, if you like what you see here, then you will be able to pre-order the Alone in the Dark remake straight away for $59.99. Doing so will entitle you to an extra freebie — the Derceto 1992 Costume Pack — which will allow you to equip nostalgic skins that make both Emily Hartwood and Edward Carnby look like their old selves.
There’s also a Digital Deluxe edition up for grabs, which comes with a vintage horror filter pack (allowing you to play in Sepia, Black & White and a bunch of other weird color schemes), a digital art book and a director’s commentary mode.
Grace in the Dark is available to download right now on Steam, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
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