American Mcgee's Alice 2: Return to Madness

[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-do...dness-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.

[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. 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.

[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.

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

[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.