We haven’t heard much about THQ Nordic’s Alone in the Dark reboot since its surprise reveal last year, but now the promising project is back with an October 25 release date and – for the impatient of us – a playable prologue available now.

The original Alone in the Dark for those too young to remember, released in 1992, offers a truly groundbreaking journey into the unknown. Considered by many to be the grandfather of the survival horror genre, he pioneered the fixed-camera haunted house formula that would go on to influence games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill.

THQ Nordic’s reimagined version of Alone in the Dark, developed by Swedish developer Pieces Interactive under the direction of Soma and Amnesia: The Dark Descent writer Mikael Hedberg, is based on the original premise of the 1992 original with the help of private detective Edward Carnby. Emily Hartwood investigates her uncle’s suicide at the bleak Derceto mansion and fires up Southern Gothic in an attempt to filter the original blend of exploration, combat, puzzles and history through a more modern lens.

As previously reported by THQ, its reboot will feature segments taking place outside the mansion, taking Carnby and Hartwood to forgotten cemeteries, bays and more. And it’s now confirmed that our playable protagonists will be portrayed by Stranger Things’ David Harbor and Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer, respectively (solving one lingering mystery). Depending on the character you choose, you’ll get a different take on the story, with alternate events and unique NPC reactions giving you a reason to play the game twice.

The THQ reboot has a lot going for it, from a striking southern gothic aesthetic to a dark jazz soundtrack (courtesy of musician Jason Kohnen). Dark through game prologue on Steam, prefix 5And Xbox Series X/S from today.

The decision to release a prologue is said to have been partly inspired by Alone in the Dark 2’s “Jack in the Dark” demo, in which players will play as a young girl, Grace, who explores the Derceto mansion in an attempt to send a letter to Emily Hartwood. be her uncle’s guest. Pieces Interactive suggests that this is to give players an idea of ​​the general atmosphere they are aiming for in the full version of Alone in the Dark, but notes that the combat is not shown due to its protagonist’s age.

And if the prologue gets you hooked, THQ Nordic is keen to give away the pre-order bonus DLC Alone in the Dark, which I’ll admit is pretty good. Called the Deceto 1992 Costume Set, it allows players to replace the reboot version of Carnby and Hartwood with their original 1992 character models in all their gorgeously vibrant retro paint.

Alone in the Dark will be available in two versions for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC on October 25; there’s a standard edition (worth £49.99/€59.99/$59.99) as well as a deluxe edition which, along with the aforementioned costume pack, includes an artbook, a vintage horror filter pack, as well as a commentary mode featuring reboot director Mikael Hedberg and notably Frédéric Reynal, who created the original game.

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