Alone in the Dark
Believe it or not, Resident Evil wasn’t the first survival horror game to land on consoles. That scary title appeared on PS1 in 1996, but two years prior to that, Alone in the Dark was released on the ill-fated 3DO in 1994, following the game’s PC debut in 1992.
The main protagonist of the Alone in the Dark games is Edward Carnby, a private detective who miraculously de-aged as the game series went on. In the first three titles, he is middle-aged, but he was rebooted as a much younger adult in the 2001 title Alone in the Dark: A New Nightmare.
To date, there have been seven Alone in the Dark games, not counting the 1993 game Jack in the Dark, which didn’t feature Carnby, and which was mainly used as a promotional title for the upcoming release of Alone in the Dark 3.
The first game in the series was critically praised but subsequent entries varied in quality, resulting in less-than-positive review scores in print publications. Of course, if you’re a survival horror fan, you’ll want to play them all anyway.
As such, here’s a list of the main games in the series, in release and play order, with the omission of Jack in the Dark which was released before the official third game in the series.
Alone in the Dark – Release Date Order
Alone in the Dark (1992)
Platforms: PC, 3DO
Synopsis:
Jeremy Hartwood, owner of Derceto has died recently. As either Edward Carnby or Emily Hartwood, explore the now abandoned mansion to discover why Jeremy committed suicide and what terrible secret lies within the walls. (source)
Alone in the Dark 2: One-Eyed Jack’s Revenge (1993)
Platforms: PC, PS1, Sega Saturn
Synopsis:
It is Christmas of 1924, three months after Alone in the Dark. “Supernatural Private Eye” Edward Carnby and his partner Ted Striker are investigating the kidnapping of young girl Grace Saunders. The trail of clues leads to an old mansion named Hell’s Kitchen – the home of infamous gangster One-Eyed Jack and his crew. (source)
Alone in the Dark 3 (1995)
Platforms: PC
Synopsis:
Sharpen your spurs and polish your six-shooter. You’re Edward Carnby back in action in the wildest Western epic this side of the grave! You’ve been summoned to Hill Century Studios’ latest movie set: a two-bit ghost town by the name of Slaughter Gulch. The film crew’s been kidnapped, and only your sharp shooting and even sharper sleuthing can save the heroine, Emily Hartwood. (source)
Alone in the Dark: New Nightmare (2001)
Platforms: PC, PS1, PS2, Dreamcast, Game Boy Colour
Synopsis:
Edward Carnby and Aline Cedrac are about to face their worst nightmare. Out to avenge the murder of their friend, Carnby and Aline arrive on Shadow Island and discover that it is caught in the grip of an evil force. It’s up to them to reclaim three ancient tablets before the ultimate terror is unleashed. (source)
Alone in the Dark (2008)
Platforms: PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii
Synopsis:
Central Park was not built as a haven for the people of New York, but for something else entirely. Now the truth can no longer be contained. In one apocalyptic night, Edward Carnby must fight the unimaginable to reveal the earth-shattering secret of Central Park. (source)
Alone in the Dark: Illumination (2015)
Platforms: PC
Synopsis:
A darkness has fallen over the town of Lorwich. Monstrous hordes emerge from beyond the realm of nightmares to sow chaos on the land. As one of four heroes, you must battle the minions of the old ones with the force of arms, and the power of illumination. (source)
Alone in the Dark (2024)
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X
Synopsis:
Emily Hartwood and private investigator Edward Carnby travel to Derceto Manor to investigate the disappearance of Emily’s uncle, Jeremy Hartwood. Emily Hartwood and private investigator Edward Carnby travel to Derceto Manor to investigate the disappearance of Emily’s uncle, Jeremy Hartwood. (source)
Alone in the Dark – Play Order
As two of the Alone in the Dark games are remakes of the original, you can either start with the first game or play one of the later versions first if you prefer.
As for the other games, only the earlier titles are in a proper sequence, while Alone in the Dark (2008) is a standalone game that doesn’t appear to be a sequel. Meanwhile, Alone in the Dark: Illumination is an online-only game that is a spin-off title rather than an expansion on the game’s story. Therefore, it doesn’t matter when you play it, although you might choose not to as some consider it one of the worst games ever made!
Here’s our play order for the games. If you prefer a different order, let us know in the comments below.
1. Alone in the Dark (1992)
2. Alone in the Dark (2001)
3. Alone in the Dark (2024)
4. Alone in the Dark 2: One-Eyed Jack’s Revenge (1993)
5. Alone in the Dark 3 (1995)
6. Alone in the Dark (2008)
7. Alone in the Dark: Illumination (2015)
Read More: Alone in the Dark (2024) Walkthrough & Game Guide
Which is your favourite Alone in the Dark game? Do you have a different play order than us? Let us know in the comments below.