'Alice: Asylum' Would Have Been The Ultimate Comeback For The Series

'American McGee's Alice' is an action-adventure game released in 2000 (October 6th) for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 3060, Windows, and Mac operating systems. The game released to fairly high critic scores, especially for it's time. It currently sits at a solid 85 on Metacritic and it's user score follows closely behind, trailing at an 7.9. As reviews have come and gone, you could say this score stands the test of time.

While the score stands the test of time, some would argue that it's gameplay and visuals are nothing special. Even at the time, there were still some critic reviews calling the game out on it's lackluster gameplay and level design. "When you take the game as a whole you realize that the stunning art direction writes checks the gameplay can't possibly cash. Playing Alice is a stunningly average experience." (Computer Games Magazine). These problems of lackluster gameplay mechanics and general level design would soon take a turn in the renowned sequel, 'Alice: Madness Returns.'

Following this critical and user success, EA sought to capitalize on this new-found IP and create a sequel. This game was dubbed 'Alice: Madness Returns' and is the most recognizable of the two games. Like it's predecessor, It trumped in both critic and user scores. With a Metascore of 75 and 8.4 user score. Although the Metascore is not as impressive as the previous installment, the users carried the game to what it's known for today. One user writes, "I originally dismissed this game when it was released, but picked it up recently. I was very pleasantly surprised by the detailed environments and loving [styalization]. The combat, while not the deepest or most satisfying, is flashy enough to keep me entertained." (Rino460).

The general gameplay and visuals are a step above it's predecessor and, to this day, stand on it's own feet. With a bigger budget of $9 million, the developers sought to elevate the Alice experience while staying true to it's horror theme/ideas. Still, the sequel is a prominent stand-alone title that does this differently and pushed the series in it's own direction.

Alice Madness Returns [First Hour PS3 Gameplay]

PC Gamer Review of 'American McGee's Alice'

So, where does this leave 'Alice: Asylum'? All of the pieces of the puzzle fit, both critics and gamers agree that this series was something special and needed to see it's conclusion. EA just had other plans (as in no plans at all) for the IP. On April 7th 2023, American McGee took to Twitter to post to fans eagerly awaiting EA's response to the propositions made by McGee and his team. "Alice: Asylum has reached The End After several weeks of review, EA has come back with a response regarding funding and/or licensing for "Alice: Asylum" - Alice had a good run but the dream is over. " (American McGee).

This leaves fans crushed as the potential for this series was squandered. As I've stated, both Alice games still hold EA to at least some high standard in their published library. It's a shame that it all came to this, leaving both the story of Alice and her potential in videogame storytelling in the dark. To paraphrase American, I guess the dream of Wonderland really is over.

Sources:

• Nirban. (2015, June 22). Alice Madness returns [First Hour PS3 gameplay]. YouTube. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vawKq4JYBsE

• PCGamer. (2014, July 27). American McGee's Alice Review. pcgamer. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://www.pcgamer.com/american-mcgees-alice-review/

• Steam. (2011). Save 80% on Alice: Madness returns on steam. Welcome to Steam. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://store.steampowered.com/app/19680/Alice_Madness_Returns/