Alice The Madness Returns Review

Alice the Madness Returns is the long awaited follow up to American McGee’s Alice, a twisted take on the Alice in wonderland story. The original (which is included for free with the console versions as a digital download) took Alice’s imagined Wonderland and twisted and tore it apart giving the game a very dark unnerving feeling. Alice manages to triumph over the Red Queen in that game, but has only gained a temporary relief from the madness.

Fast forward to the latest instalment, Alice is still under psychiatric care and despite the pleas of her doctor to forget the past she is soon drawn back into the imagined world of Wonderland and this time it’s even worse now playing host to nightmares rather than Wonders.

McGee’s imagining of Lewis Carroll Wonderland couldn’t be more different. Despite many of the character still inhabiting the world they are freakish versions tormented by undead abominations. Alice must save Wonderland to save herself.

The setting is really what sets this game apart as the weird and wonderful locations are played through the actual gameplay becomes quite stale. Alice herself is quite easy to control and can jump, spin and float through the air with ease. Alice can also shrink to allow her to fit into small spaces and to unveil some hidden secrets. All of which makes the exploring of the levels quite enjoyable.

The combat comes in two forms close up combat where you hack and slash with a knife, and for far away targets you can shoot them, with a pepper mill! Combat is quite basic and at times clumsy and for the most part not too exciting either.

The exploration is split up using some side puzzles which give the game some variety and longevity but for the most part the most enjoyable part of the game is just looking on in wonder at the insanity of the world that McGee has created. It’s beautifully twisted.

Overall the game has little flaws, it looks good, it plays well, is very imaginative and unique but all the weirdness can’t hide that the game itself can become a little bland and repetitive. Alice the Madness Returns is definitely worth picking up for a play through and since you get the original free with it its very good value. Because it’s very different from what’s around at the moment it is a welcome distraction.