Alone in the Dark for PS3 Getting New Improvements and Title

When Alone in the Dark was released a few months back, it unfortunately fell pretty short of expectations. While some of the fire dynamics and elaborate set pieces set the game apart from other survival horror titles, they were unfortunately hampered by nagging design flaws and control issues. Luckily though, Atari has not turned a blind eye to these issues when it comes to the upcoming PS3 release. The company has announced that the next version of the game will address a wide array of known problems; enough in fact to warrant a new title. “Alone in the Dark: Inferno” will feature adjustments to the camera, controls, inventory system, and even a new action sequence with a new enemy. According to their press release, the changes will include:

• Full 360 degree Camera control: enhanced Camera controls allows complete freedom of the camera and better handling of third-person movement for even more immersive gameplay enabling players to view the fire and mass destruction they are causing in all of its glory.
• Fine-tuned controls: quicker and smoother reactivity of the hero’s movements in third person view increases the pace of the game and makes for faster, reflexive gameplay during tense fighting scenarios.
• Inventory System more accessible: more logical jacket Inventory System with the ability to scroll rapidly through the inventory with the D-Pad or Analogue Stick to combine objects. In addition, gameplay is paused when accessing the inventory system to allow maximum creativity in combining items to create unique flammable weapons.
• More tips: additional on-screen tips will help players quickly adapt to controls and easily understand how to overcome tricky situations.
• Spectral Vision tuning: a Tutorial earlier in the storyline explains the need to burn roots in order to gain spectral vision (a power that grants you the ability to see the unseen) and difficulty tuning means less spectral vision is required to reach the end of the game.
• Improved car dynamics and handling: driving has been tuned with increased suspension and reduced drifting giving overall better handling to make driving a fun walk in the park every time.
• 59th Street Level tuning: one of the game’s most exciting sequences just got better. 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.
• Brand new thrilling action sequence: an exclusive new sequence has been added in Episode 6 for even more excitement and variety of gameplay in the episode.

A lot of these have been mentioned before, but it’s nice to hear that they really seem to have a feel for what’s wrong and how to correct it. Fortunately, Atari has also confirmed that these fixes — though probably not the extra action sequence — will be available in a patch for the 360 version. I doubt that would encourage many people to give the game a second go, but at least they’re taking steps to fix an obvious problem.