American Mcgee's Alice 2: Return to Madness

[Collector_Gaming]

alright i wanna know who is with me that they been dying for the past 10 years for this game to come out.

I am a huggggggggeeee American Mcgees Alice fan

so big.. i actually felt completely let down when i heard about tim burtons movie (after so many rumors about a movie done after the game was gonna be made) and refuse to watch it!
So big of a fan i actually formed a grin and smile worthy of a cheshire cat when i found out about this sequel.

So yes who can't wait?

Its suppose to come out next spring for the Xbox 360 and PS3 and PC (i'm gonna get it for the PC)

Teasers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrjXLlsoPlI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUmLstbaK-g&feature=channel

Oh dear alice.... what have you done?!? :evil:

[Daria]

Awesome! I recently found an Alice action figure and realized as much as I liked this game back in the day it would be horribly outdated now. I didn't think a remake/sequel was likely but this is great news.

[Collector_Gaming]

hope its just as dark and just as clever with its dark approach.

People call it emo or goth.

Goth it may be but it was clever in its design. Instead of coming out with leather and just a messed up scary look and spikes and chains and such like one would think.

They did a dark dark Victorian era look and then added beautiful old organ style music in there to give it that old ambient feel.

God i love alice! :D

[Bojay1997]

I think Alice was great, but American McGee's follow-up games have all been very poor to downright unplayable. I hope he has the time and resources he needs to make Alice 2 right.

[todesengel]

I remember reading about this a few months ago when the teaser was released. I love the first game and will definitely be picking this one up for the PC whenever it gets released.

[Xtincthed]

i played Alice when I was a little too young to not get freaked out by it.. but I did love the game (be it with breaks to get my nerves back;P)
hope part 2 will be as cool as part 1

[Kitsune Sniper]

So details about preorder bonuses have just been revealed.

People who buy the PS3 or 360 version get a downloadable code for the original Alice. Preordering the game (console or PC) from Amazon or Gamestop gets you a downloadable soundtrack.

People who buy the PC version from anywhere else get nothing. Yes, nothing. You don't get the PC version of American McGee's Alice unless you purchase the game directly from the EA Store via digital distribution. You also get some bonus costumes and weapons. And of course, if you don't live in a supported region, you get charged in Euros.

Sources are this PC Gamer Article (http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/05/12/exclusive-ea-bundling-american-mcgee%E2%80%99s-alice-with-the-pc-version-of-alice-madness-returns-exclusively-through-ea-store), and American McGee's blog (http://www.americanmcgee.com/2011/05/12/news-for-pc-users-about-amr-and-alice/).

FUCK YOU, EA. FUCK YOU. I wanted this game but this is just a pure dick move.

[Bojay1997]

So details about preorder bonuses have just been revealed.

People who buy the PS3 or 360 version get a downloadable code for the original Alice. Preordering the game (console or PC) from Amazon or Gamestop gets you a downloadable soundtrack.

People who buy the PC version from anywhere else get nothing. Yes, nothing. You don't get the PC version of American McGee's Alice unless you purchase the game directly from the EA Store via digital distribution. You also get some bonus costumes and weapons. And of course, if you don't live in a supported region, you get charged in Euros.

Sources are this PC Gamer Article (http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/05/12/exclusive-ea-bundling-american-mcgee%E2%80%99s-alice-with-the-pc-version-of-alice-madness-returns-exclusively-through-ea-store), and American McGee's blog (http://www.americanmcgee.com/2011/05/12/news-for-pc-users-about-amr-and-alice/).

FUCK YOU, EA. FUCK YOU. I wanted this game but this is just a pure dick move.

To be fair though, the PC version is at least $10 cheaper than the console version, so I don't feel too bad for people who buy the PC version and then have to spend another $10 or so to get the Alice download. Used sales are also much less prominent on the PC, so the whole incentive for encouraging people to buy the game new is somewhat lost.

[Kitsune Sniper]

It doesn't look like we'll be able to GET Alice unless we buy it in that specific package. EA hasn't confirmed it yet.

[PapaStu]

So details about preorder bonuses have just been revealed.

People who buy the PS3 or 360 version get a downloadable code for the original Alice. Preordering the game (console or PC) from Amazon or Gamestop gets you a downloadable soundtrack.

People who buy the PC version from anywhere else get nothing. Yes, nothing. You don't get the PC version of American McGee's Alice unless you purchase the game directly from the EA Store via digital distribution. You also get some bonus costumes and weapons. And of course, if you don't live in a supported region, you get charged in Euros.

Sources are this PC Gamer Article (http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/05/12/exclusive-ea-bundling-american-mcgee%E2%80%99s-alice-with-the-pc-version-of-alice-madness-returns-exclusively-through-ea-store), and American McGee's blog (http://www.americanmcgee.com/2011/05/12/news-for-pc-users-about-amr-and-alice/).

FUCK YOU, EA. FUCK YOU. I wanted this game but this is just a pure dick move.


How are the pre-order bonuses any different than whats done with new games all the time? Normally Amazon and GS (not to mention BB, and others depending on the game) are getting their own pre-order goodies that are different from the others. I get a bit miffed that i'm not getting whatever one place has, when ordered from another, but I either buy the code off eBay, or get over it. 99% of the time its skins or lame weapons that are quickly outpaced by ingame items.

Are you mad that you don't get the original Alice? Don't you already have a copy (or three) of it? I know that you've posted enough of them in the finds threads over the years. I don't see why you're angry. It's a US bonus and unfortunately, you're not in the US. I guess it sucks that you've got to buy it from their store in Euros, but at least if you do that, you'll get the Download game (that you've already got on disc). I'm just not seeing the reason for the EA hate.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Well, I'm ticked off that they didn't give away an actual CD instead of a download voucher that expires in a few months. I'm also ticked off that Alice is not included in retail PC releases - that's horribly unfair to South American countries (and possibly Asian ones, too) where EADM still isn't a viable option to purchase your game. (They did fix the Euro problem for Mexico, but everyone else is still shafted. And people from Puerto Rico are getting the price in Euros, too.) If the Alice set was available at other, more foreign market friendly places, like Steam, Direct2Drive or GamersGate, I wouldn't be this pissed off.

And I could care less about the in-game items. I don't think they're worth anything (I want to kill things, not play Dress-Up Alice) and besides, they'll probably be unlockable via cheats / save game hacks.

This was the very first game I was actually thinking of buying at retail price in years, but limiting Alice to the EA Store just rubbed me the wrong way. :(

Edit: Also, they made sure people would preorder the PC version elsewhere before saying the game was an EA Store exclusive. That's just low.

[The 1 2 P]

I became much more interested in this game once I found out that new copies would have dlc for the original Alice. And since I don't game on my pc thats a big bonus for me. At first I heard that it was only for preorders but now it appears that all new copies on 360 or PS3 will get the code for the original. So I'm definitely going to get the game, I just haven't decided how long I'll wait while the price comes down.

[MASTERWEEDO]

I'm not a pc gamer so I never played the original so I'm glad its included with the PS3 version

[PapaStu]

Well, I'm ticked off that they didn't give away an actual CD instead of a download voucher that expires in a few months. I'm also ticked off that Alice is not included in retail PC releases - that's horribly unfair to South American countries (and possibly Asian ones, too) where EADM still isn't a viable option to purchase your game. (They did fix the Euro problem for Mexico, but everyone else is still shafted. And people from Puerto Rico are getting the price in Euros, too.) If the Alice set was available at other, more foreign market friendly places, like Steam, Direct2Drive or GamersGate, I wouldn't be this pissed off.

WAH. You OWN the game on disc already. It is a BONUS, primarily aimed at people WHO DO NOT OWN the damn thing. Should the code expiring matter, if you're buying it at launch via a Pre-order? Buying it later may not give you the code anyways. EA does many many first run LE games now, designed to get quick buys.


This was the very first game I was actually thinking of buying at retail price in years, but limiting Alice to the EA Store just rubbed me the wrong way. :( EA is doing that to get purchases through their store, so that THEY get MOAR monies from each sale. I still don't see the big deal.

[Emuaust]

He needs the code not to expire so he can sell it, he has the game already, he doesnt want the code to "play" the game, amirite?

[Kitsune Sniper]

He needs the code not to expire so he can sell it, he has the game already, he doesnt want the code to "play" the game, amirite?

Actually, I was talking about the soundtrack voucher code. Those only have a shelf life of less than a year; at least with a CD, you can sell it or trade it or something (not to mention there's always an excess of copies printed... heh.)

And the games will be available via EADM; that's EA's launch / download / update client, which is very similar to Steam. The games are added directly to your account, so there's no need for a code like consoles (but your retail CD keys can used to register some games on it.) When you buy some games from third party stores like Direct2Drive you get a key code that works with EADM.

The point is not the fact I won't be getting a code. It's the fact that this game has been left unavailable to everyone who doesn't buy the game from them. EA might be a big corporation, and they may be trying to push their EADM service, but their sales are still mostly from retail channels. Them not selling the set in brick and mortar stores doesn't make any sense... Shit, the SINGLE game isn't even available in Steam! These days, that's a good way to limit your sales, anywhere. They're pushing this release quite a bit, I just hope it doesn't backfire...

[PapaStu]

It doesn't look like we'll be able to GET Alice unless we buy it in that specific package. EA hasn't confirmed it yet.

Post about Alice 1. Not the soundtrack.


So details about preorder bonuses have just been revealed.

People who buy the PS3 or 360 version get a downloadable code for the original Alice. Preordering the game (console or PC) from Amazon or Gamestop gets you a downloadable soundtrack.

People who buy the PC version from anywhere else get nothing. Yes, nothing. You don't get the PC version of American McGee's Alice unless you purchase the game directly from the EA Store via digital distribution. You also get some bonus costumes and weapons. And of course, if you don't live in a supported region, you get charged in Euros.

Sources are this PC Gamer Article (http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/05/12/exclusive-ea-bundling-american-mcgee%E2%80%99s-alice-with-the-pc-version-of-alice-madness-returns-exclusively-through-ea-store), and American McGee's blog (http://www.americanmcgee.com/2011/05/12/news-for-pc-users-about-amr-and-alice/).

FUCK YOU, EA. FUCK YOU. I wanted this game but this is just a pure dick move.

You want the game, and are mad that there are multiple retail offerings, spending more of this post going on about the EA store version of the game, which is the Alice set, not Alice II + Download code for soundtrack.a


Well, I'm ticked off that they didn't give away an actual CD instead of a download voucher that expires in a few months. I'm also ticked off that Alice is not included in retail PC releases - that's horribly unfair to South American countries (and possibly Asian ones, too) where EADM still isn't a viable option to purchase your game. (They did fix the Euro problem for Mexico, but everyone else is still shafted. And people from Puerto Rico are getting the price in Euros, too.) If the Alice set was available at other, more foreign market friendly places, like Steam, Direct2Drive or GamersGate, I wouldn't be this pissed off.

And I could care less about the in-game items. I don't think they're worth anything (I want to kill things, not play Dress-Up Alice) and besides, they'll probably be unlockable via cheats / save game hacks.

This was the very first game I was actually thinking of buying at retail price in years, but limiting Alice to the EA Store just rubbed me the wrong way. :(

Edit: Also, they made sure people would preorder the PC version elsewhere before saying the game was an EA Store exclusive. That's just low.

Mad no cd release of soundtrack, and mad no release of Alice via normal retail channels and mad it's not available via Steam and other online download ways. I don't know where to start here, as you're mad everywhere isn't getting everything. Welcome to gaming pre-orders of the 21st century. Each place wants your money and offers something different. You've got to vote with your bucks as to what you value most. At this point, everything is not an option.

In addition, what does it matter if it's low of EA to do their release after other stuff has been announced. It's a damn pre-order that can be cancelled and shifted over to the EA Store with a few clicks of the mouse. The game isn't out now and this wasn't sprung last minute.


Actually, I was talking about the soundtrack voucher code. Those only have a shelf life of less than a year; at least with a CD, you can sell it or trade it or something (not to mention there's always an excess of copies printed... heh.)

Really? Hell in all the above quotes I see 95% on lack of everything except soundtrack DLC as being what you're pissed about. Ok, got it. Mad about lack of soundtrack to the EA store order. Double mad it's DL only.


And the games will be available via EADM; that's EA's launch / download / update client, which is very similar to Steam. The games are added directly to your account, so there's no need for a code like consoles (but your retail CD keys can used to register some games on it.) When you buy some games from third party stores like Direct2Drive you get a key code that works with EADM.

So there is something online, like Steam to use. Ok. So buying it from EA gets you both games, BUT you may have to pay in Euro's if you're in another market and want it on PC. Slightly lame, but i'm sure a majority of their purchasers will not be screwed by the Euro/regional issue. You're not, so you are in the clear on this one. I guess it's nice to fight for the everyman, but you better pick up the flag for all those games that us Americans have lost, not gotten the good goodies for all these many years.


The point is not the fact I won't be getting a code. It's the fact that this game has been left unavailable to everyone who doesn't buy the game from them. EA might be a big corporation, and they may be trying to push their EADM service, but their sales are still mostly from retail channels. Them not selling the set in brick and mortar stores doesn't make any sense... Shit, the SINGLE game isn't even available in Steam! These days, that's a good way to limit your sales, anywhere. They're pushing this release quite a bit, I just hope it doesn't backfire...

Wait, now you're mad, not about the lack of pre-order bonus soundtrack that a paragraph above roasted your biscuits above all else, but that you have to buy it from EA and use their 'Steam-esque' system and not another to get the bonus Alice. Dude, they are doing that to get people to USE their system. You do know that EA wants to control your gaming experience. When playing a game on XBL or PSN you log into THEIR servers to play, even over XBL which handles all other companies games (save for FF XI or PSO).

You've got Alice in other formats and if for some reason you can't pre-order a copy of the game via Amazon or GameStop (which I know you can, because you've got a US address) then you can download the soundtrack from somewhere else.

You do rip all of your music onto your computer right? I don't think this DLC will be any different than any other songs you've got on your PC. Heck, if you want it on a disc, you could burn it afterwords. You lose the fancy packaging, but so does everyone, and well these retailers doing pre-orders are trying to keep their costs down. It's not like they make alot per game on new release sales.

Seriously, just order it from the EA store and get the soundtrack from other means. You'll then have the best of all worlds.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I wasn't very clear about what I was trying to say. Guess my rage got in the way. Apologies.

The soundtrack voucher is time limited; that was my main problem with it. (I suspect, and hope, that Amazon buyers will have the music added to their music purchases.) It's a preorder bonus, so I hope they'll release a full soundtrack in the future, on CD or not. (I don't mind buying digital soundtracks if they're sold at a good price.)

The original Alice game not being available anywhere else for PC is still kind of odd... I hope EA relents and eventually offers the game for sale on its own, or in retail packages, and at other places.

(Footnote: I don't own a 360 or PS3, and I think it's cool that console owners can play this game as a bonus without having to deal with eBay prices. That game -totally- should have come out on consoles back in the day.)

Now excuse me, I have to keep putting my foot in my mouth.

[PapaStu]

I wasn't very clear about what I was trying to say. Guess my rage got in the way. Apologies.

I understand gamer rage. I gets it myself. Your rage was all over the map and for pretty much all of it, didn't actually affect you. I guess i'm just confused as to why you'd gotten so mad because you couldn't get this or that, when in reality you could get any of it, but just not all of it at once. Welcome to the boat everyone else was in (for those buying a PC copy of the game)!


The soundtrack voucher is time limited; that was my main problem with it. (I suspect, and hope, that Amazon buyers will have the music added to their music purchases.) It's a preorder bonus, so I hope they'll release a full soundtrack in the future, on CD or not. (I don't mind buying digital soundtracks if they're sold at a good price.)

I think you're forgetting one thing. The soundtrack is a PRE-ORDER bonus (ok you didn't forget it, but I think you're missing the meaning of it). Dudes/dudettes who buy it before release get access to it. Day 1 buyers do not. They are using this as a carrot to get the sales. Again, maybe just because you don't buy many things at launch anymore you arn't experiencing it, but these things have been real common across console releases for the 'A-list' titles well back into the PSOne lifespan.


The original Alice game not being available anywhere else for PC is still kind of odd... I hope EA relents and eventually offers the game for sale on its own, or in retail packages, and at other places.

I highly doubt it. The game never got any re-releases (save it's cover art editing) over the years, and they are now tacking it in w/ console and EA store purchased digital copies of the game. Best hope is some form of digital distribution solo, which depending on the sales of the new game would dictate IMO.


Now excuse me, I have to keep putting my foot in my mouth.
Nah, just tone down teh Alice nerd rage a notch and you're good. If it'll make you feel better I can ramp up the Bad Day LA rage. Same dude, except the game only came out on PC and was supposed to be on Xbox too. Alas... twas not to be.

[Lady Jaye]

I'm personally happy that Alice will be included with the console version of Alice 2 and that it can also be purchased separately for $10. It's a cheap way to replace my Mac copy (which I can no longer play since I'm not on a Mac anymore). I'll still wait for reviews of Alice 2 before deciding on whether to get the sequel or not, though.

[The 1 2 P]

I'm personally happy that Alice will be included with the console version of Alice 2 and that it can also be purchased separately for $10.

Wait a minute. I heard that you needed a copy of Alice: Madness Returns in your disc tray in order to be able to play the original downloaded game. But if you can purchase it seperately does that mean that you can play it without having Alice: Madness Returns in the tray? Or does this $10 just refer to people who are buying it because their copy of Alice: Madness Returns is used and thus the disc still needs to be in your console tray?

[PapaStu]

Wait a minute....Or does this $10 just refer to people who are buying it because their copy of Alice: Madness Returns is used and thus the disc still needs to be in your console tray?


Its this. EA locks down your online experience now. Once that code has been registered, it'll never work for another copy and so they'll make people who pick the game up on the secondary markey pay to play it. Knowing how they've been doing things lately, to even do online you'll have to register your copy, which will get you the game, but then make the next person pay for the download if they want it/online.

[Lady Jaye]

Wait a minute. I heard that you needed a copy of Alice: Madness Returns in your disc tray in order to be able to play the original downloaded game. But if you can purchase it seperately does that mean that you can play it without having Alice: Madness Returns in the tray? Or does this $10 just refer to people who are buying it because their copy of Alice: Madness Returns is used and thus the disc still needs to be in your console tray?

That's a really good point that I didn't think about. I sure hope it isn't the case (especially if Alice 2 turns out to be a crappy game). I've checked several sources, and it does seem like it will be available for purchase via PSN and XBLA and not only as DLC for Alice 2. Wait and see till next month to see whether these people have understood well...

*edit* After reading the actual press release from EA, looks like people are just really confused. The release says clearly that the $10/800 points download is for people who buy Alice 2 and don't have the code (ie. people who buy the game used, for instance). Nowhere does it say that it will be available separately, as the download will be made via the Alice 2 menu.

http://www.ea.com/news/get-a-free-download-of-alice-with-alice-madness-returns-

[Cornelius]

I highly doubt it. The game never got any re-releases (save it's cover art editing) over the years

Didn't it get a jewel case re-release? I could swear I've had copies with barcodes on the back of the jewel art. And I thought there was also a 'two-pack' release where it came with another game. And I doubt it counts, but there was the Vault of Darkness (or somesuch), too.

[Push Upstairs]

I know of three versions of the game.

Original "knife" box (the one I snagged)

"Ice Wand" cover.

And the later jewel case release.


I still think its kinda nuts how much the figures go for.

[Gameguy]

Didn't it get a jewel case re-release? I could swear I've had copies with barcodes on the back of the jewel art. And I thought there was also a 'two-pack' release where it came with another game. And I doubt it counts, but there was the Vault of Darkness (or somesuch), too.
Yes, it came bundled with Clive Barker's Undying. I kept passing on those editions at EB Games, though I really should have picked up a set back then. I'm still hoping to find a cheap copy to play now.

You're right about the Vault of Darkness. That makes at least 4-5 versions of the game, 5 if it received a jewel case release by itself. Push Upstairs mentioned the other versions of the game, though I'm not entirely sure if it had a jewel case release by itself or if they were all originally bundled with Clive Barker's Undying and later split up.

http://imageshack.us/m/827/3046/vaultq.jpg

[Kitsune Sniper]

I bought my copy of Alice (jewel case budget version) at a Wal-Mart in Tennessee on its own back in the summer of 2003. Here's some scans of the artwork I uploaded to MobyGames in 2004. (http://www.mobygames.com/game/american-mcgees-alice/cover-art/gameCoverId,29449/) I think the EA double bundles were just... excess copies that wouldn't sell on their own.

And the game was also readily available in Europe in budget versions (two discs on a DVD case, no printed manual)... I think either Ubisoft or XPlosiv released it.

So, we have:

Original blood version (big box)
Ice Wand version (big box)
Standalone jewel case release
Jewel case release with Clive Barker's Undying
The Vault of Darkness release
An European budget release

I also found a Macintosh version of the game once, in a smaller box... stupid me left it behind though. Because I thought Mac versions weren't worth anything.

There should also be some variations on the contents. Some boxed versions of the game included a printed manual and a storybook, while others included PDF files on the discs.

... Considering how many copies of this game exist, it shouldn't be so damn pricey. Is this the Final Fantasy VII of PC gaming? :P

[Gameguy]

Is this another version of the game or is it European? It's neat how she's holding playing cards instead of the knife or Ice Wand, there's so many alternate versions of box art for this game.


http://imageshack.us/m/641/8695/b0009j1jj801lzzzzzzz.jpg

[MarioMania]

Plain as aimple don't give EA your money...

[Kitsune Sniper]

Is this another version of the game or is it European? It's neat how she's holding playing cards instead of the knife or Ice Wand, there's so many alternate versions of box art for this game.


http://imageshack.us/m/641/8695/b0009j1jj801lzzzzzzz.jpg

THAT'S THE ONE I SOLD. It's a budget version in a DVD case. And yeah, it makes sense she's not holding a weapon. Silly Europe.

[The 1 2 P]

Plain as aimple don't give EA your money...

Theres nothing "plain" or "simple" about what you just tried to say. What did EA ever do to you?

[Dobie]

I couldn't help but notice there's a significant price difference between the PS3 and 360 version of Alice 2... the preorder price for PS3 is $45 and 360 is $57. Is there any reason NOT to go with the PS3 version here?

[DuckTalesNES]

Just looked. Both are $45. Amazing pre-order deal! I'm in.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I couldn't help but notice there's a significant price difference between the PS3 and 360 version of Alice 2... the preorder price for PS3 is $45 and 360 is $57. Is there any reason NOT to go with the PS3 version here?

Other than the PSN issues from last month, not really.

[Dobie]

Just looked. Both are $45. Amazing pre-order deal! I'm in.

He he. They must have been browsing the boards. ;-)

Either way, I was already in for the PS3 version, and applied my existing Amazon credit... making this $25 delivered on launch. Couldn't turn that down.

[Bojay1997]

Other than the PSN issues from last month, not really.

It's an Unreal Engine 3 based game and PC was the lead platform, so this is one of those cases where the PS3 version may have issues. It took Amazon a couple days, but both versions are now price matched to the Toys R Us pre-order deal at $45.

[Buyatari]

$45 is a great deal.

I'm curious how this one will be as well.

[Push Upstairs]

THAT'S THE ONE I SOLD. It's a budget version in a DVD case. And yeah, it makes sense she's not holding a weapon. Silly Europe.

I don't really understand the need to change it from the Ice Wand to the playing cards.

I could sorta understand the Vorpal Blade ----> Ice Wand, but why change it again to the cards?

They should have cut the BS and put the Blunderbuss on there. :) Nothing like a good old "knock you on your ass" gun.

[Zama]

I plan on picking up Alice 2 pretty soon with the nice artbook as well :popcorn:

[Dobie]

Anybody give this a go yet? My copy arrives today. Seems like the reviews are mixed, which is expected, but I'm excited to try it out.

[Blitzwing256]

I honestly picked it up just to play the first (a real copy of it has eluded me for years) and since the psn was down when I got home from work (if you knew where i worked you'd find that hilarious) so instead of downloading part 1 I did end up playing 2, and I have to say its....the creepiest game i've ever played ,it very much plays like an old school platformer (think those banjo kazooie/mario 64 style games) just REALLY crepy visuals, i'm enjoying it, the combat is simple and very oldschool 3d gameish, I was afraid it was going to be a god of war style game with those stupid button pressing minigames (yuck!) but i'm pleased at how th3e game came out, I may even finish it!

go buy it now


why are you still here?

[Cornelius]

I honestly picked it up just to play the first (a real copy of it has eluded me for years) and since the psn was down when I got home from work (if you knew where i worked you'd find that hilarious) so instead of downloading part 1 I did end up playing 2

why are you still here?

... /me looks around...
we want to know where you work.

[Dobie]

I honestly picked it up just to play the first (a real copy of it has eluded me for years) and since the psn was down when I got home from work (if you knew where i worked you'd find that hilarious) so instead of downloading part 1 I did end up playing 2, and I have to say its....the creepiest game i've ever played ,it very much plays like an old school platformer (think those banjo kazooie/mario 64 style games) just REALLY crepy visuals, i'm enjoying it, the combat is simple and very oldschool 3d gameish, I was afraid it was going to be a god of war style game with those stupid button pressing minigames (yuck!) but i'm pleased at how th3e game came out, I may even finish it!

go buy it now


why are you still here?

Your assessment is spot on. I got through the first chapter last night, and it is definitely old-school in its sensibilities, but I'm OK with that. It made me think of Psychonauts, with a twist of Zelda and Fable. I love the atmosphere and the music. The art design is fantastic. Its definitley not a highly polished game, but its something different than what currently dominates the market. So far its fun!

[Kitsune Sniper]

I honestly picked it up just to play the first (a real copy of it has eluded me for years) and since the psn was down when I got home from work (if you knew where i worked you'd find that hilarious) so instead of downloading part 1 I did end up playing 2, and I have to say its....the creepiest game i've ever played ,it very much plays like an old school platformer (think those banjo kazooie/mario 64 style games) just REALLY crepy visuals, i'm enjoying it, the combat is simple and very oldschool 3d gameish, I was afraid it was going to be a god of war style game with those stupid button pressing minigames (yuck!) but i'm pleased at how th3e game came out, I may even finish it!

go buy it now


why are you still here?
I'd buy it but I refuse to support EA Origin. Just as it refuses to accept my money. :(

[Graham Mitchell]

Good, I'm excited. I pre ordered it and I'm going to pick it up today.

Game informer slammed it because it's not god of war, but whats wrong with something different?

One of the things they really knocked it for was "ugly, bland textures". Do you guys find that to be an issue?

[Collector_Gaming]

this is why sometimes i hate review companies... They sometimes don't know a good game if it smacked em up side the head.

I remember when the first game came out. It recieved so and so reviews and i am sure some review companies probably even called it a shitty game. Cause you gotta remember back when this game came out. Quake 3 was the big game Along with the Unreal series starting to get big. And then Halo right around the corner. Serious Sam, Half Life ect ect ect
so what everyone was comparing a game like this to is FPS's which was the big thing back then (and kinda is today which to me isn't fair to compare)
And that might be one of the reasons why it didn't sell so well at first.

Then when people got to see what it was all about in person they soon found out that this actually a really good game for what it is. And it turned into what we now know as a Cult Classic.

If you like the idea of a classic tale told through the eyes of someone that seems like Clive Barker (famous for movies like Hellraiser) mashed with Old Style Tim Burton (Beetle Juice/ Edward Scissor Hands/ Nightmare Before Christmas) then you will love these games.

[Blitzwing256]

i'm not a graphics whore by any means, but the textures are just fine, they have a specific art style and it works for the bizzare twisted world that alice explores, I noticed a few tiny graphic glitches in the first world (I was able to walk inside of a wall where i shoudln't) but again the game is just fine, reviewers need to go back to thier latest halo clone or gawd of whore game and stfu ;-)

[camarotuner]

This is my first full price retail purchase this year (seriously) and I got it on PC. OMG this game is freaking awesome. It's demented and the visuals are unique and it's nothing like the other games on the market. I've very very happy with it. :)

[Graham Mitchell]

Yeah, I love it so far. It's a tad bit easy, though. I'm considering bumping up the difficulty.

Fuck reviewers, this is a quality game. Alice's character looks fantastic in all scenes (love the goth boots.) And, since it comes with a free download of the first game, it's a great value.

I was surprised to discover, after reading the credits, that the game seems to have been developed in China. Interesting.

[Collector_Gaming]

I was surprised to discover, after reading the credits, that the game seems to have been developed in China. Interesting.

i knew about that after watching a interview with American Mcgee on youtube a while back
he said he spent alot of time in China to over look this games production

But just like everything now a days

its either made in Mexico
or China
or Taiwan
or Thailand
for cheap labor.

[Kitsune Sniper]

its either made in Mexico
FYI, Gameloft has a studio in my hometown. Yes, the cell phone game ripoff devs. A former classmate of mine worked there as a tester.

[Dobie]

When people mention the poor reviews, I snuck a peek at Metacritic to see what the damage was. The top user review made me laugh a bit... "Anyone panning this game needs to go take a serious dump because they are full of ****."

I dunno about the scores, I mean, Alice 2 doesn't revolutionize gaming or anything, but to me its a fun throwback with nice visuals and art direction. A 7/10 seems fair, but I'm only about 1/2 way through. Honestly though, a 7, 8, or whatever score isn't going to affect my enjoyment in any way.

[Ed Oscuro]

Original game was remarkable almost solely for its art direction, and then it only managed to hold together in short sections. Gameplay was unremarkable. No multiplayer, which is fine considering the style of game, but odd given the engine they were working from (iD Tech 3, aka Quake III).

All I've seen of this are the two trailers from the first post, and I have to say the art style still isn't winning me over - though I'll give it some space because that's obviously realtime (well, I would hope). Now, if it's really true that this is a platformer along the lines of Banjo-Kazooie, that's a big change and for the better. I'll wait a bit, like until I can snag a real deal on it (Buyatari says $45 is a good deal - but I says I just got the $9.99 FEAR bundle off Steam, which is four games).

Also interesting that an old iD hand (DOOM era) is using the Epic engine now.

[Zama]

This reminded me of how Valkyrie Profile was treated back in the day: such beautiful 2D artwork and masterfully hidden great story (and awesome battle gameplay too) that went unnoticed by most players, yet, it has a strong following which eventually gave way to a sequel a few years later :) Like the first Alice game, there is a good chance that Alice 2 will likely be a cult classic in many years to come.

[Ed Oscuro]

Well, I just hope that this Alice will be suited to a wider audience, and more polished in the gameplay area. I'm sure the original Alice deserves its cult status - it has some elements that will appeal to a group of people, but most of the time it just wasn't too exceptional in most of what it did. Heck, I'd almost rate Darkened Skye above it in every respect, except that the combat in DS was even more painful and tedious than in Alice (which was only tedious) and the production quality was even more unstable.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Oh, EA is completely fucking stupid.

So you guys remember I was complaining about the original game for PC only being available if you bought it at EA's site, right? Well guess what? Starting today, you can't buy Alice 1. Nope, you can only buy Alice 2. EA, if you're trying to get people to move to your online gaming service, THIS SHIT ISN'T HELPING.

I mean, you want to lure people to buy straight from you with a game. Fine. I don't like it, but I understand it. But making it a limited time deal... Ugh.

[Graham Mitchell]

Oh, EA is completely fucking stupid.

So you guys remember I was complaining about the original game for PC only being available if you bought it at EA's site, right? Well guess what? Starting today, you can't buy Alice 1. Nope, you can only buy Alice 2. EA, if you're trying to get people to move to your online gaming service, THIS SHIT ISN'T HELPING.

I mean, you want to lure people to buy straight from you with a game. Fine. I don't like it, but I understand it. But making it a limited time deal... Ugh.

Wow, thats retarded. Is that with the pc version? Thats really stupid.

The 360 version works similarly to mass effect 2. Youre given a code to download alice 1 for free, but if you don't have the code you can pay to unlock it.

Thing is, in order to play alice 1 you have to load it from the alice 2 disc. It doesn't show up in you xbox menu. I guess thats better than including content on the disc and charging users to unlock it, but not by much.

[phantomfriar]

I can't see this game becoming a cult classic IMO. This game is so ridiculously repetitive it goes from being "cool" to downright annoying. It's been years since I've wanted to badly to see a game end as this one -- you end up playing a few hours, get tricked into thinking it's really good, then realize it's already shown you all of its cards. Then it proceeds to recycle all the exact same game elements over a bloated 10-15 hours, just adding a fresh can of paint on each new level...and all of them go on, and on, and on. Just when you think a level is coming to an end, it adds in more combat, or another platforming section, or another environmental puzzle...it's just crazy how bloated this game is.

I honestly gave up after I started the third chapter. Tedious is an understatement.

[Graham Mitchell]

I can't see this game becoming a cult classic IMO. This game is so ridiculously repetitive it goes from being "cool" to downright annoying. It's been years since I've wanted to badly to see a game end as this one -- you end up playing a few hours, get tricked into thinking it's really good, then realize it's already shown you all of its cards. Then it proceeds to recycle all the exact same game elements over a bloated 10-15 hours, just adding a fresh can of paint on each new level...and all of them go on, and on, and on. Just when you think a level is coming to an end, it adds in more combat, or another platforming section, or another environmental puzzle...it's just crazy how bloated this game is.

I honestly gave up after I started the third chapter. Tedious is an understatement.

Thats a legitimate criticism. I feel the same way about persona 4, honestly (but try 80 hours instead of 15). Neither games are ones I would want to play for 12 hours straight, but I think theyre fun in short bursts.

[dairugger]

which version should i get? ive heard the ps3 version has better aliasing, yet the 360 version has better textures that the ps3 versions missing.?

http://www.lensoftruth.com/head2head-alice-madness-returns-screenshot-comparison/2/

so i got the ps3 version of alice 2 and la noir from walmart for 34.99, who knew walmart didnt pricematch with walmart.com.? they did this once tho. anyway i went with the ps3 version for the controller, im honestly afraid of turning on my 360 since its the 20gb old version, im afraid its gonna die if i look at it wrong, lol.

I was surprised about no paper manual tho, i really hate that!