If you enjoyed the dark, twisted world of Alice: Madness Returns, you’re likely on the lookout for similar games that offer a blend of eerie atmospheres, engaging narratives, and unique gameplay mechanics. This blog post will explore several games that capture the essence of Alice: Madness Returns and provide a similarly captivating experience.
What Makes Alice: Madness Returns Unique?
Before diving into the list, let’s briefly discuss what makes Alice: Madness Returns stand out:
- Dark Fantasy Setting: The game reimagines Lewis Carroll’s classic tale in a grim, gothic style.
- Psychological Horror: It delves into Alice’s troubled mind, blending reality with nightmarish visions.
- Engaging Combat: The game features a mix of melee and ranged combat with a variety of weapons.
- Intricate Puzzles: Players must solve puzzles to progress, adding depth to the gameplay.
Games Similar to Alice: Madness Returns
1. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is an action-adventure game developed by Ninja Theory, released in 2017. It follows the journey of Senua, a Pict warrior, as she ventures into the Norse underworld to rescue the soul of her dead lover. The game combines puzzle-solving, psychological horror, and melee combat, with players navigating through dark, atmospheric environments. Senua’s struggle with psychosis is a central theme, with voices and visions playing a significant role in the gameplay and story. The game received praise for its portrayal of mental health, strong narrative, and character development, and was lauded as a work of art.
- Genre: Action-adventure, hack and slash
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S
Key Features -
- Puzzle-solving, psychological horror, melee combat
- Portrayal of psychosis with voices and visions integral to gameplay
- Senua’s journey to Helheim to rescue her lover’s soul
- Praised for its story, character portrayal, and mental health focus
Performance and Optimization: The game runs smoothly on most platforms, with high-quality graphics and sound design. It received updates to improve performance and add support for newer consoles like the Xbox Series X/S.
Secrets: Players can find various runes and lore stones that provide deeper insights into Norse mythology and Senua’s backstory.
Behind-the-Scenes: The development team consulted with neuroscientists and people with lived experiences of psychosis to accurately portray Senua’s condition, making the game a unique blend of entertainment and education.
2. Darksiders III
Darksiders III, developed by Gunfire Games and published by THQ Nordic, is an action role-playing game released in 2018. Players control Fury, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, tasked with capturing the Seven Deadly Sins. The game features a mix of melee and magical combat, with elements from Metroidvanias and Soulslikes. Fury can take on different elemental forms, each granting new abilities and weapons. Set before the events of the first Darksiders game, the story explores Fury’s quest and the larger Darksiders narrative. The game received mixed reviews, praised for its art style and character design but criticized for technical issues and simplistic combat.
- Genre: Action role-playing
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Stadia, Nintendo Switch
Key Features -
- Melee and magical combat, Metroidvania and Soulslike elements
- Elemental forms granting new abilities and weapons
- Fury’s quest to capture the Seven Deadly Sins
- Mixed reviews; praised for art style and character design, criticized for technical issues
Performance and Optimization: The game had some performance issues at launch, including frame rate drops and bugs. However, subsequent patches improved stability and performance across all platforms.
Secrets: Hidden collectibles and references to other Darksiders games can be found throughout the world.
Behind-the-Scenes: The development team aimed to create a more personal and introspective story for Fury, contrasting with the more action-oriented narratives of the previous games.
3. Lost in Random
Lost in Random is an action-adventure game developed by Zoink and published by Electronic Arts, released in 2021. Set in a gothic fairy-tale-inspired world where fate is determined by a roll of the dice, players control Even, who embarks on a quest to save her sister, Odd, from the wicked Queen of Random. The game combines tactical combat, card collection, and dice gameplay, with combat taking place in board game-like arenas. The unique art style, engaging story, and innovative gameplay mechanics received positive reviews, making it a standout title.
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Platforms: Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Key Features -
- Tactical combat, card collection, dice gameplay
- Combat in board game-like arenas, roll Dicey to determine actions
- Even’s quest to save her sister Odd from the Queen of Random
- Positive reviews for art style, story, and innovative gameplay
Performance and Optimization: The game performs well on most platforms, with minor issues on the Nintendo Switch version. Regular updates have addressed performance concerns and improved overall stability.
Secrets: Players can discover hidden cards and lore pieces that expand on the world’s backstory.
Behind-the-Scenes: The game’s unique art style was inspired by Tim Burton’s films and classic fairy tales, with the development team focusing on creating a visually distinct and immersive world.
4. Enslaved: Odyssey to the West
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, developed by Ninja Theory and published by Namco Bandai Games, is an action-adventure game released in 2010. It is a loose adaptation of the novel “Journey to the West,” set in a post-apocalyptic world. Players control Monkey, who must escort Trip home safely after they survive a ship crash. The game features a mix of combat, platforming, and puzzle-solving, with the relationship between Monkey and Trip being central to the gameplay. The game received positive reviews for its graphics, world design, and character development, despite some criticisms of its gameplay and technical issues.
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows
Key Features -
- Combat, platforming, puzzle-solving
- Relationship between Monkey and Trip, bound by a slave headband
- Post-apocalyptic journey to escort Trip home safely
- Positive reviews for graphics, world design, and character development
Performance and Optimization: The game runs well on older consoles like the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, with a PC version released later that included improved graphics and performance enhancements.
Secrets: Hidden collectibles and references to the original “Journey to the West” can be found throughout the game.
Behind-the-Scenes: The development team worked closely with actor Andy Serkis, who provided motion capture and voice acting for Monkey, to bring a high level of realism and emotion to the character.
5. Blue Fire
Blue Fire is an action-adventure game developed by Robi Studios and published by Graffiti Games, released in 2021. Players explore the desolated kingdom of Penumbra, facing enemies and solving platforming challenges. The game emphasizes precise platforming and combat, with a focus on mastering movement. Players control Umbra, a mysterious being on a quest to uncover the secrets of Penumbra and prevent the return of an evil essence known as the shadow. The game was praised for its platforming mechanics, art style, and challenging gameplay.
- Genre: Action-adventure, platformer
- Platforms: Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Key Features -
- Platforming, combat, quests, collectibles, upgrades
- Emphasis on precise platforming and combat
- Umbra’s quest to uncover the secrets of Penumbra and prevent the return of the shadow
- Praised for platforming mechanics, art style, and challenging gameplay
Performance and Optimization: The game performs well on most platforms, with some minor frame rate issues on the Nintendo Switch. Patches have been released to address these issues and improve overall performance.
Secrets: Players can find hidden areas and collectibles that provide additional lore and backstory.
Behind-the-Scenes: The development team drew inspiration from classic platformers and action-adventure games, aiming to create a challenging yet rewarding experience for players.
6. DreadOut 2
DreadOut 2, developed and published by Digital Happiness, is a survival horror game released in 2020. Players control Linda, who uses her smartphone to capture ghosts and solve puzzles. The game combines third-person exploration with combat, featuring Indonesian folklore and urban legends. Linda returns to her hometown to uncover the mysteries surrounding a series of supernatural events, confronting various ghosts and spirits. The game received mixed reviews, praised for its atmosphere and horror elements but criticized for its technical issues and combat mechanics.
- Genre: Survival horror
- Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Key Features -
- Third-person exploration, combat, puzzle-solving
- Indonesian folklore and urban legends
- Linda’s return to her hometown to uncover supernatural mysteries
- Mixed reviews; praised for atmosphere and horror elements, criticized for technical issues
Performance and Optimization: The game had several performance issues at launch, including bugs and frame rate drops. Subsequent updates have improved stability and performance, but some issues persist.
Secrets: Hidden ghosts and lore items can be found, providing deeper insights into the game’s story and Indonesian folklore.
Behind-the-Scenes: The development team aimed to create a uniquely Indonesian horror experience, drawing on local myths and legends to craft the game’s narrative and atmosphere.
7. Legacy of Kain: Defiance
Legacy of Kain: Defiance, developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Eidos Interactive, is an action-adventure game released in 2003. It is the fifth installment in the Legacy of Kain series, featuring dual protagonists Kain and Raziel. Players use their unique abilities to solve puzzles and combat enemies, with a mix of platforming, combat, and exploration. The game continues the intertwined stories of Kain and Raziel as they seek to uncover the truth about their destinies and the fate of Nosgoth. The game received positive reviews for its story, voice acting, and atmosphere, despite some criticisms of its camera controls and repetitive combat.
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows
Key Features -
- Dual protagonist gameplay, platforming, combat, exploration
- Switching between Kain and Raziel with different abilities
- Kain and Raziel’s quest to uncover their destinies and the fate of Nosgoth
- Positive reviews for story, voice acting, and atmosphere
Performance and Optimization: The game runs well on older consoles like the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, with a PC version that includes improved graphics and performance enhancements.
Secrets: Players can find hidden glyphs and lore items that expand on the series’ rich backstory.
Behind-the-Scenes: The development team faced challenges in balancing the dual protagonist gameplay, ensuring that both Kain and Raziel felt unique and integral to the story.
8. Prince of Persia (2008)
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Prince of Persia (2008) is an action-adventure game developed and published by Ubisoft. It is a reboot of the Prince of Persia series, featuring a new art style and gameplay mechanics. Players control the Prince, who is accompanied by Elika, a magical ally who assists in combat and traversal. The game focuses on acrobatic platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving, with a unique art style inspired by cel-shading and a more open-world approach compared to previous entries. The story explores themes of redemption and partnership as the Prince and Elika work together to cleanse the world of corruption caused by the evil god Ahriman. The game received positive reviews for its art style, story, and platforming mechanics, though it was criticized for its lack of difficulty and repetitive gameplay.
- Genre: Action-adventure, platformer
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, Mac OS X
Key Features -
- Action-adventure, platformer
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, Mac OS X
- Acrobatic platforming, combat, puzzle-solving
- Cel-shaded art style, open-world approach, Elika as a magical ally
- The Prince and Elika’s quest to cleanse the world of corruption caused by Ahriman
- Positive reviews for art style, story, and platforming mechanics
Performance and Optimization: The game performs well on all platforms, with smooth frame rates and minimal bugs. The PC version includes higher resolution textures and improved performance.
Secrets: Hidden areas and collectibles provide additional lore and backstory, and players can unlock alternate costumes for the Prince and Elika.
Behind-the-Scenes: The development team aimed to create a more accessible and visually distinct game, drawing inspiration from Persian mythology and classic platformers.
Conclusion
If you loved Alice: Madness Returns, these games offer similar experiences with their dark atmospheres, engaging narratives, and unique gameplay mechanics. Each game brings its own twist to the genre, ensuring that you’ll find something new and exciting to enjoy.