Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Alone in the Dark 3 retains the series’ signature blend of puzzle-solving, exploration, and tense combat, guiding Detective Edward Carnby through a series of static 3D screens with shifting camera angles. Players must scour each area for key items—colt peacemakers, bullwhips, and even a gatling gun—to fend off the undead remnants of Jebediah Stone’s private army. Scarce ammunition and limited health pickups force you to balance resource management with the urgency of escape, heightening the tension at every turn.

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The four-action control scheme (jump, open/examine, move/push, and fight) remains true to the first two entries, but here it feels more polished and intuitive. Jumping only at predefined spots can be frustrating at first, yet it emphasizes careful observation of the environment. Examining key items and interacting with furniture or barricades adds depth to the puzzles, while pushing objects into place often reveals hidden passages or unlocks new paths.

Combat is a vital component and leans heavily on timing and manual aiming, especially when facing multiple Zombie Cowboys. Melee encounters are surprisingly visceral—whipping an enemy off a ledge or finishing them with a well-placed pistol shot never loses its thrill. Difficulty settings allow players to adjust Carnby’s and enemies’ life energy, catering to both seasoned survival-horror veterans and newcomers. Overall, the gameplay loop of search, puzzle, and combat strikes a tense balance that keeps you invested throughout the dusty streets of Slaughter Gulch.

Graphics

Alone in the Dark 3 uses prerendered backgrounds overlaid with 3D character models, a hallmark of late-’90s survival horror. The ghost town of Slaughter Gulch is rendered in muted earth tones—sandy alleys, creaking saloon doors, and crumbling wooden facades—that drip with atmosphere. Occasional weather effects, like swirling dust or flickering lantern light, enhance the eerie western setting and remind you that danger can lurk around any corner.

Character models are more detailed than in previous installments, with Edward Carnby sporting a rugged trench coat and a determined scowl. Jebediah Stone’s zombie cowboys are equally memorable: tattered uniforms, sunken eyes, and gnarled limbs that shift unpredictably. While polygon counts may seem modest by today’s standards, the combination of lighting and sound design makes each encounter genuinely unsettling.

Cutscenes transition smoothly between gameplay areas, employing dramatic camera angles to underscore key story moments. The textures on buildings and props hold up surprisingly well, and environmental details—like bloodstains in an abandoned jail cell or bullet holes in a saloon wall—immerse you in the world. Though dated compared to modern engines, the graphics serve the game’s tense atmosphere admirably.

Story

After surviving supernatural horrors in Derceto and Hell’s Kitchen, Detective Edward Carnby is once again thrust into the unknown when Emily Hartwood disappears during a spaghetti western shoot in Slaughter Gulch. Emily, a star of the original Alone in the Dark, hoped to escape her past by acting in an abandoned gold town perched on the San Andreas Fault—only to awaken vengeful spirits.

Slaughter Gulch was founded on desecrated Native American sacred ground by Jebediah Stone and maintained by his private army of killers. After villagers led by a blacksmith slew Stone’s men, the town fell into ruin—until filming disturbed restless souls. One by one, Emily’s crew meets grisly ends at the hooves of the undead, prompting Carnby’s desperate call to action.

As Carnby battles his way through zombie cowboys, he uncovers Stone’s sinister plan: a plot to unleash seismic devastation along the entire west coast, interrupted only by his death. The narrative unfolds through journals, notes, and cutscenes, revealing Stone’s dark obsession and the tragic history of Slaughter Gulch. This layering of supernatural horror atop western mythos gives the story a unique twist that keeps players hooked until the final showdown.

Overall Experience

Alone in the Dark 3 combines classic survival-horror pacing with a memorable western-horror setting, making for a distinct flavor in the genre. Fans of the first two games will appreciate the refined controls and improved graphics, while newcomers can dive into a self-contained mystery filled with atmosphere and chills. The careful balance of puzzles, combat, and exploration ensures that the game never feels repetitive.

That said, some may find the predetermined jump points and fixed camera angles occasionally frustrating, especially when trying to dodge multiple foes in tight spots. Inventory management can also feel cumbersome by today’s standards, but it reinforces the tension—every bullet counts, and every key item is precious. The game’s slower moments, spent decoding journal entries and mapping out your next move, build suspense that pays off once the undead cavalry charges.

Ultimately, Alone in the Dark 3 is a must-play for those who love atmosphere-driven horror and don’t mind embracing a bit of retro charm. Its unique fusion of western motifs and supernatural terror sets it apart from other genre entries, and Edward Carnby’s relentless pursuit of Emily Hartwood provides a compelling throughline. If you’re looking for a haunting adventure that’s equal parts puzzle and zombie-slaying action, saddling up in Slaughter Gulch is an experience well worth the ride.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10