History YMMV / AloneInTheDark

** ''The New Nightmare'' has RespawningEnemies that refill every room any time you leave and come back. This being a SurvivalHorror game, health and ammunition pickups never self replenish. Infinite bad guys, finite supplies; you do the math, and the decision to completely omit melee combat of any kind doesn't help. (While you ''can'' usually run around enemies thankfully there are still several rooms that are too cramped to dodge enemies without at least shooting them to stun them and if you're still screwed if you're out of ammo and a boss shows up.)

** ''The New Nightmare'''s Game Boy Color port one-upped its console big brothers by also sporting what appears to be RPG-type RandomEncounters, complete with FightWoosh that takes you to a dedicated combat zone. Problem? You can't use unarmed attacks and have no option for running way from these fights, so if you run out of ammo, [[UnwinnableByDesign you're pretty well fucked]] as while the encounters thankfully aren't random, if you don't pick up the ammo laying on the ground during a fight before it ends, it vanishes and the game is balanced around you picking up most of these ammo pickups.

** ''The New Nightmare'' has RespawningEnemies that refill every room any time you leave and come back. This being a SurvivalHorror game, health and ammunition pickups never self replenish. Infinite bad guys, finite supplies; you do the math, and the decision to completely omit melee combat of any kind doesn't help.
** ''The New Nightmare'''s Game Boy Color port one-upped its console big brothers by also sporting RPG-type RandomEncounters, complete with FightWoosh that takes you to a dedicated combat zone. Problem? You can't use unarmed attacks and have no option for running way from these fights, so if you run out of ammo, [[UnwinnableByDesign you're pretty well fucked]].

** The initial Windows / UsefulNotes/XBox360 version of the 2008 game was [[ExecutiveMeddling rushed out the door]] [[ObviousBeta in a notoriously buggy and unfinished state]]. The UpdatedRerelease of the 2008 game for UsefulNotes/PlayStation3, subtitled ''Inferno'', fixed glitches from the other releases and even adds a few extra scenes. While not without its flaws, ''Inferno'' was vastly improved and closer to what the developers envisioned.
** The UsefulNotes/PlayStation port of part 2, subtitled ''One-Eyed Jack's Revenge'' gives the game improved character models (higher polygon counts and more detailed textures). It also copied the control scheme of the classic ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' titles, adding a run button, more responsive TankControls, and generally making the game a bit less frustrating to play.

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: The first game was probably the western TropeCodifier (along with ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil'') for most SurvivalHorror tropes. Yet, today, the visuals and animations appear quite primitive, and some of the voice acting is far from professional, [[NightmareRetardant which tends to dilute the effect]]. The game itself [[NonIndicativeName doesn't look very dark]] either, and lacks the sorts of graphical elements that make more modern games actually scary. The game's tech ''does'' give a realistic feel to it that can be quite creepy in its own right. While the graphics of the first game may not seem impressive now, they were considered cutting edge back in 1992.
** The series pretty much invented the SurvivalHorror video game genre for [[VideoGame/SweetHome1989 anyone not in Japan]], inspiring many other franchises, many of which greatly improved upon the formula, making the game mechanics seem dated in comparison to some people.

** And then we get to the {{Reboot}}, [[RecycledTitle Alone In The Dark]].[[note]]also known as Alone In The Dark 2008 or [[OddlyNamedSequel2ElectricBoogaloo Alone In The Dark: Inferno]][[/note]] This game is one of the most contentious in the series, due to it being a high-octane [[ActionizedSequel Actionized Reboot]] with a more cinematic approach to the series that, unfortunately, borrows elements from [[{{Film/AloneInTheDark2005}} the Uwe Boll film]]. This often results in either {{Narm}} or NarmCharm, depending on the person playing. The GameplayRoulette, [[GoodBadBugs host of]] [[GameBreakingBug bugs and flaws]], [[KillItWithFire fire-based gameplay]] that fills the game with [[AttackItsWeakPoint enemies who HAVE to be burned to be defeated]], lack of scary moments compared to the other games, and [[ThatOneLevel those goddamn driving levels]] are on the negative side of things, but the game's [[SoBadItsGood ridiculous, unintentionally funny attempts at horror and drama]], puzzles, the melee combat where you can just [[DieChairDie pick up things around you and use them as weapons]], [[DiegeticInterface uniquely diegetic inventory and crafting system]], [[ResourcesManagementGameplay limited resources with multiple uses]][[note]]i.e. the medical sprays that can be used either as a healing item or an AerosolFlamethrower[[/note]], and even [[BrokenBase some of the more contentious elements]], such as the fire-based gameplay, have their fans and give this game a surprising [[CultClassic cult audience within the franchise]]. Add to that the [[UpdatedRerelease improved Inferno release that fixed/improved a good few disliked elements]][[note]][[RuleOfThree like the fire-based gameplay!]][[/note]] and the [[{{Sequelitis}} depths of terrible that the series would go to with Illumination]], and you have a recipe for a game that is pure LoveItOrHateIt.

** And then we get to the {{Reboot}}, [[RecycledTitle Alone In The Dark]].[[note]]also known as Alone In The Dark 2008 or [[OddlyNamedSequel2ElectricBoogaloo Alone In The Dark: Inferno]][[/note]] This game is one of the most contentious in the series, due to it being a high-octane [[ActionizedSequel Actionized Reboot]] with a more cinematic approach to the series that, unfortunately, borrows elements from [[{{Film/AloneInTheDark2005}} the Uwe Boll film]]. This often results in either {{Narm}} or NarmCharm, depending on the person playing. The GameplayRoulette, [[GoodBadBugs host of]] [[GameBreakingBug bugs and flaws]], [[KillItWithFire fire-based gameplay]] that fills the game with [[AttackItsWeakPoint enemies who HAVE to be burned to be defeated]], lack of scary moments compared to the other games, and [[ScrappyLevel those goddamn driving levels]] are on the negative side of things, but the game's [[SoBadItsGood ridiculous, unintentionally funny attempts at horror and drama]], puzzles, the melee combat where you can just [[DieChairDie pick up things around you and use them as weapons]], [[DiegeticInterface uniquely diegetic inventory and crafting system]], [[ResourcesManagementGameplay limited resources with multiple uses]][[note]]i.e. the medical sprays that can be used either as a healing item or an AerosolFlamethrower[[/note]], and even [[BrokenBase some of the more contentious elements]], such as the fire-based gameplay, have their fans and give this game a surprising [[CultClassic cult audience within the franchise]]. Add to that the [[UpdatedRerelease improved Inferno release that fixed/improved a good few disliked elements]][[note]][[RuleOfThree like the fire-based gameplay!]][[/note]] and the [[{{Sequelitis}} depths of terrible that the series would go to with Illumination]], and you have a recipe for a game that is pure LoveItOrHateIt.

* PanderingToTheBase: The 2023 reboot is very noticeably a reimagining of the original game, with the first trailer showing the setting is Derceto, focuses on Lovecraftian horror, and showing both Edward and Emily as playable characters. Given how divisive the series' sequels and reboots were, and the original generally being considered [[FirstInstallmentWins the series' best]], it's likely this trope is in effect.

* PanderingToTheBase: The 2023 reboot is very noticeably a reimagining of the original game, with the first trailer showing the setting is Derceto, focuses on Lovecraftian horror, and showing both Edward and Elizabeth as playable characters. Given how divisive the series' sequels and reboots were, and the original generally being considered [[FirstInstallmentWins the series' best]], it's likely this trope is in effect.

*** Also; "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB5_88L5EO0 I'm the light-bringer!]] '''I'M THE FUCKING UNIVERSE!!!'''"

%%I intend to do a more thorough entry for Illumination in the Sequelitis section of this page as soon as possible, but if anyone has any additions or information they'd like to add, feel free.

** The poor reception for ''Alone in The Dark: Illumination'' may have [[FranchiseKiller finally put the franchise to rest...]] until in 2022 another reboot was announced.

%%I intend to do a more thorough entry in the Sequelitis section of this page as soon as possible, but if anyone has any additions or information they'd like to add, feel free