EA has outdone themselves this time, creating a sequel that doesn’t let fans down. A game that feels almost like an RPG, and serves up superb graphics that are sure to satiate the appetite of any hungry gamer.
Alice returns to the macabre wonderland, after years of being in a sanitarium and doctor’s clinic have failed. After trying to forget all about wonderland and the blame she feels for her family’s death, she inevitably returns to the land that supposedly does not exist. What impressed me most was how the graphics-although much more developed- pay perfect homage to American McGee’s Alice and yet add layers to the world. Both the ‘real world’ and wonderland have characters with odd facial features, giving it a vintage feel. Wonderland itself is incredible to navigate around, although I don’t recommend playing the PC version; not having a fixed camera is annoying as hell when trying to jump, twirl, and fight. There is so much going on in the game, you don’t really need to constantly move your camera. It got incredibly irritating, making me wish I had played the XBOX version, as it seems that is exactly what this sequel was made for. The game play is meh as a few other reviews have stated. Nothing special whatsoever.
In the process of killing and exploring, Alice slowly recovers her memory ( of course with your aid) in tandem with questioning what is real, as well as how far her connection to wonderland goes. Her sanitarium days get incorporated into the game play, adding an interesting twist. As weird as the original game was, Alice takes you further; it is the movie Tim Burton should have directed, had he not sold out to Disney. His lame ass world with a mock Captain Sparrow running around ( although I admit her was the best part) pisses me off to no degree. Even Crispin Glover wasn’t very Crispin Glovery. Oh well.
Madness Returns is more like the Marilyn Manson version. Maybe even darker.
This installment gives Alice a makeover as well, as Steam-punk and Asian elements come into play. Alice looks sexy in whatever she wears…although maybe not the straight jacket ( but then again that is just my opinion.
All in all, I highly recommend playing it. If you are looking for a shooter, this isn’t it. But if you want an immersive game with insanely unique graphics, buy it now. And if you are a big fan of the series, go to EA’s Alice store, where you can get amazing merchandise that is actually worth buying.
