Looking back over the last decade there’s one game that, for me, stands out like a sore thumb for truly shining in terms of stunning graphics but failed when it came to gameplay; that game is American McGee’s Alice. I remember having high expectations for this title, but being extremely dissapointed after a few hours of pounding away on my D-Pad and then never giving it a second chance. The game was just too straight-forward and didn’t offer more than a macabre depiction of Wonderland, which is exactly what I expected and it only delivered.
American McGee’s Alice was only released on Windows 2000 and Mac OS. At no surprise, a port for the PlayStation 2 was attempted but failed miserably causing the game developer’s to shut down (Rogue Entertainment). EA announced Alice: Madness Returns back in February 2009, with the original working title The Return of American McGee’s Alice. Since then, the game has been in full development, as you can see with the gameplay screenshots, and a few teaser trailers have already been released. I just hope that I won’t re-experience the disaster I faced over 10 years ago, but to finally get a second chance to play a game that truly deserves more attention in gameplay than visuals.
Alice: Madness Returns won’t only be for Windows this time around; it will also be arriving on the two riveling consoles, the PS3 and Xbox 360. No release date has been officially set yet, but expect it to be available sometime this year, and don’t be disapointed if delays get announced. More game info on Alice: Madness Returns just below.
Alice: Madness Returns Trailer 1
Alice: Madness Returns Trailer 2
Alice: Madness Returns Game Info
Eleven years ago a horrific fire took Alice’s family from her and left her terribly burned—and her mind terribly scarred. Afterward, she was confined to Rutledge Asylum, struggling to come to terms with her demons by slipping into her fantasy world of Wonderland. Now, after 10 years, she has finally secured her release–yet she still bears the heavy psychological burden of that tragic event.
In Alice: Madness Returns, Alice is released from the asylum to a London psychiatrist’s care. As nightmarish hallucinations continue to haunt her and invade her reality, she seeks to understand her torment in order to recover herself. Her mind in tatters, she is unable to resolve the fear and neuroses prompted by her strange memories, dreams, and visions. Her relocation to London seems only to add to their number and intensity.
Perhaps she’ll do better in Wonderland. She always has. She travels there, seeking what the “real” world can’t provide: security, knowledge, and the truth about the past. But in her absence, Wonderland too has suffered. Something has gone horribly wrong, and now a great evil is descending upon what once was her beautiful refuge.
Can Alice save Wonderland—and herself—from the madness that consumes them both?
