Alone in the Dark release date: UK launch time and demo details
Everything you need to know about Alone in the Dark's release date, pre-order details, gameplay, story and trailer.
The Alone in the Dark release date is finally upon us after numerous delays. At long last, we'll all be able to play through THQ Nordic's return to the famous horror franchise starring Jodie Comer and David Harbour.
Dubbed a re-imagining of the 1992 original game, this remake lets us step inside Derceto Manor once again.
Read our Alone in the Dark (PS5) review here!
It was first teased by THQ Nordic back in 2022, and in August 2023 we got our first serious look at the game, as the two big stars (mentioned above) who would be featuring in the reboot were revealed.
Similar to the recent Resident Evil remakes, the new Alone in the Dark reboot features over-the-shoulder survival horror gameplay. It's fitting that we'll be revisiting the seminal horror game that these games can trace their lineage back to, played in a style that it ultimately led to, one way or another.
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Keep reading to find out when the Alone in the Dark release date is, when its UK launch time should be, and to place down an order if you're interested. Skip to the end of the page to watch a trailer!
When is the Alone in the Dark release date?
Alone in the Dark will be released on 20th March 2024.
Originally slated for October 2023, there were fears that the game might get lost among the huge number of great titles that were released then - especially fellow horror game Alan Wake 2 - but delays have saved Alone in the Dark from such a fate.
By the time the game launches, it will have been a whopping 32 years since the original came out for MS-DOS, making it older than many of our dear readers!
When is the UK launch time for Alone in the Dark?
The UK launch time for Alone in the Dark is 2PM on Wednesday 20th March, with a simultaneous launch planned worldwide. This means you should be able to play the game from 2PM on 20th March.
Alone in the Dark's US launch time, meanwhile, is scheduled for 7am PT / 10am ET on 20th March.
Is there an Alone in the Dark demo?
Yes, there is an Alone in the Dark demo! The developers are calling it a 'playable prologue', and it's actually available to try out right now.
The playable prologue is titled Grace and lasts between 15 and 20 minutes.
You can download it from Steam, the PlayStation Store or the Xbox Store
Wondering how to get the demo? Simply search for the game on your PC (via Steam) or through the built-in store on your PS5 or Xbox Series X/S.
The product page gives us a rundown of what to expect.
"One of Derceto’s residents, Jeremy Hartwood, has been acting strange lately. He asks Grace to do one simple thing – help him deliver a letter to his niece, Emily Hartwood. She seems to be the only one capable of understanding the otherworldly horrors plaguing Jeremy’s mind."
You're told to get ready to:
- Experience the haunting atmosphere of Derceto Manor, where psychological horror meets Southern Gothic, from the seemingly innocent perspective of Grace Saunders.
- Dive into the eldritch nightmare of Alone in the Dark in this exclusive first taste of Alone in the Dark’s full experience.
- If you make it to the end, be ready for a very special surprise…
"Grace agrees and embarks on a short yet memorable trip through a wing of Derceto Manor, invaded by a presence which appears to have emerged from the dark depths of the Bayou…"
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Can I pre-order Alone in the Dark?
You can pre-order Alone in the Dark right now for £46.99 from GAME for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.
THQ Nordic always has pretty spiffy collector's editions, and they've delivered once again with Alone in the Dark. You can get the PC version or PS5 version for £179.99 from Amazon. You can also pick up the Xbox version of the Collector's Edition from GAME for the same price.
Unlike some other horror titles, Alone in the Dark will have a physical release for those who love to collect or don’t have access to reliable internet.
You can also pre-order it digitally from Steam, the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store, if you would prefer to buy it straight from your favoured platform vendor.
Which consoles and platforms can play Alone in the Dark?
Alone in the Dark will be available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. There’s no word on last-generation systems receiving a port, but it hasn’t been outright denied.
There is every possibility the game could receive a similar treatment to Hogwarts: Legacy, with adjustments made to the levels and graphics settings to give it a chance to run on the older machines.
But as time goes on, the end of the cross-generation period draws ever nearer, so we will see less and less of this, especially if a lot of the budget went to securing such great actors!
Alone in the Dark gameplay and story details
Alone in the Dark features the same setting, characters and survival horror action as the original, but reimagines them with a new and unique storyline.
Emily Hartwood, played by BAFTA winner Jodie Comer, is still compelled to visit Derceto after receiving an alarming letter from her uncle, Jeremy Hartwood.
This time, Jeremy is present in the game as one of the main characters, rather than already having met his unfortunate end.
Emily enlists private investigator Edward Carnby (Stranger Things favourite David Harbour) to accompany her and get to the bottom of the mystery that is the Hartwood curse.
Perhaps the most notable difference is the ability to play through the story either as Emily Hartwood or Edward Carnby, encouraging multiple playthroughs to truly understand the horrible events surrounding Derceto.
Much of the mechanics of the original are the same, but they have been spruced up to match modern day sensibilities, so we will still be running from monsters and solving puzzles.
THQ Nordic has said developer Pieces Interactive has aimed for a 50-50 split between action and exploring/puzzles.
Is there an Alone in the Dark trailer?
There is a trailer for Alone in the Dark, which we have included for you down below. Enjoy!
As we can see, Derceto is no longer a mansion, but a fully-fledged mental institution for the wealthy of the Deep South.
Tropes aside, crumbling mental hospitals will always be scary, no matter how many times we have visited them in games, film and television.
The graphics are looking seriously impressive, with the world and actors stunningly realised, ensuring that we are in for some very high-fidelity spooks.
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