Resident Evil is often incorrectly credited as the first survival horror game, but it wasn't the first to explore the macabre. The 1992 PC game Alone in the Dark introduced horror to video games years before Resident Evil. In fact, Shinji Mikami even admits Alone in the Dark had a serious impact on the original Resident Evil.
Although the game looks primitive now, Alone in the Dark revolutionized the industry and utilized many horror elements that would go on to become staples of the genre. Players take the role of either Edward Carnby or Emily Hartwood as they explore a decrepit Louisiana mansion after the owner passes away under strange circumstances. Shortly after starting their investigation, Carnby and Hartwood discover there is more to the old mansion than meets the eye. An ancient evil plagues the estate and it is up to Carnby and Hartwood to figure out how to stop it.
Like any good horror game, Alone in the Dark consists of puzzle-solving and evading daunting monsters. Players can choose to engage enemies, but the combat mechanics are a bit clunky and can be more frustrating than effective. Most of the game requires players to search for objects to get through different parts of the mansion.
Dangerous traps cover the estate, so paying attention to the environment is vital to a player's success. Alone in the Dark was the first game to set up the survival horror structure, so anyone familiar with classic horror titles will adapt to its primitive gameplay rather easily.
One of the most innovative aspects of Alone in the Dark is its fixed camera angles and pre-rendered backgrounds. It gave the game a unique style that worked perfectly for its creepy aesthetic. Shinji Mikami recently stated that Alone in the Dark's visuals played a pivotal role in Resident Evil's creation. Mikami originally wanted the game to be in first-person, but technical limitations and Capcom's lack of experience with 3D modeling prevented it from happening. Resident Evil's development came to a standstill until Mikami saw Alone in the Dark's gameplay. Mikami was able to put his own unique twist on Alone in the Dark's in-game mechanics and create the first iconic entry in the Resident Evil franchise.
Alone in the Dark is an incredibly influential game that doesn't get the credit it deserves. It is often overshadowed big-name survival horror games that wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for Alone in the Dark's groundbreaking gameplay. While it is difficult to revisit due to its dated graphic and shoddy control scheme, it still deserves a spot in history for creating one of the most popular video game genres of all time. If any game deserves a modern remaster, it's the original Alone in the Dark.