Review of American McGee's Alice

Cheshire Cat From Hell

Published on April 15, 2004 By Phantom of the Night In Misc Games

I recently downloaded the full version of American McGee's "Alice." I saw a review of it on "Electric Playground," and was very curious about the game. I almost bought it before Christmas, but didn't because I don't like to buy presents for myself before my shopping is finished. Nevertheless, once the game was downloaded, I opened the game right away, just to see "how deep the rabbit hole goes." How deep is it? Not very. Although, I couldn't really tell you. With so many cinematic interruptions, it is so hard to get anywhere in the game.

If you have ever played "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" for the PC, this game will look like one of Hermione's worst nightmares. The game seems to run on the same basic system. The graphics are very poor, and you won't find much depth or detail in the actual levels. This wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the cinematic cut-scenes. About every 15 steps, the gameplay is interrupted to show either a cut-scene explaining the current task, or an unneccassary piece of dialogue that belongs in the actual game. In one level, I spent 30 seconds completing the simple task, but had to endure 3 minutes of choppy clips.

The story itself does present some interesting plot points, and a unique view of the "Dark Side of the Looking Glass." Alice arrives in Wonderland to see that the Wonderland is now a miserable, dark world. Slavery is abundant, and almost every character is depressed and suicidal. Alice however, is chipper as hell, because although this reminds her of home, it isn't nearly as depressing as the asylum. Yeah, Alice is crazy! You have an insane young girl trying to save a once lovely world from the tyrranical grip of a queen, who has turned everyone into a slave. Needless to day, we've come a long way from the mad-hatter's tea party.

It's a wonderful day in the neighbourhood.

It's a wonderful day in the neighbourhood.

Alice is equipped with many weapons to defend herself from shrieking ghouls, who burn to death when killed, and card gaurds, who can be decapitated. Some of the basic weapons are a bloody knife, a croquet mallet and a deck of razor sharp cards. Emphasis on RAZOR!!!!

Alice is definetely not for fans of the movie, and most definetely not for children. There are already enough children in this game. Whether it's the constant crying, moaning and screaming in the background, or the manic, mutilated tots that run amongst you, this game has way too many children as it is.

Click for Alice version.

THE CHESHIRE CAT

THE WHITE RABBIT

ALICE HERSELF

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