Graphics

Graphics

Either the standard for graphics has really gone through the roof or I'm just going blind. Put simply, Alice is a stunning piece of work. The fantastic environments within this game were my main motivation to keep going. Those long nights the development team spent in front of the crack pipe were definitly not spent in vain.

The single greatest feature of Alice resides in its level design. The levels were my strongest driving force to complete the game. Each one is so thoroughly unique; the Chess and Mad Hatter levels were unbelievably peculiar. The early levels are also very cool in their own right; some of the pathways alone were enough for us to sit back in awe. Some floated in air, others wobbled when you walked on them. As some of the later levels started, my only reaction was that of shock. I sat there moving the mouse about, taking in some of the most amazing level design ever. McGee and friends made each and every level with tender loving care, making sure to put a bit of sugar and spice into everything.

Cool reflection

Can you dig it?

Children of the Corn

I think it was the second level in the game where you enter a school full of the most demented looking children this side of hell. Not only was the school itself completely twisted, but also the children walked about as if possessed. Some of the lads have lobotomies and act like chickens. Still more laugh manically, only to be crying schizophrenically moments later. Then out of nowhere, these same freaky little munchkins will punch themselves in the face. Hats off the to the crew of Alice, for making one of the most contorted games in existence.

Tikis!

More baddies

Wondrous Alice

Character animations for Alice were no less detailed than the levels. Seeing her transform into her berserker mode is something you just have to check out. This innocent blue-frocked girl morphs into a bloodthirsty creature with horns the size of elephants tusks, dope indeed. Her usual animations were no less amazing. Her dress flutters in the wind, and if you are running, the ribbons on her back dangle and flop about.

Lighting bugs.

Cozy

To add to the shininess of the game, if you leave Alice standing about a little too long, she starts to go through different animations with each and every weapon. If you are holding the Demon Dice she will play a little craps, or spin them on her fingers. If it's the blunderbuss, she'll take aim and go through the military maneuvers of presenting arms. The attention to detail goes a long way.

The other characters in the game are equally well animated. We didn't see one disappointing character. Even something as simple as a nearly two-dimensional Card guard looked good; seeing him cut to ribbons is even more satisfying.

Glug glug

Ooops... was that me?

Most of the weapons have rather impressive graphical representations. A couple of the earlier weapons don't provide much more than a sparkler, but the later weapons get to be visually explosive. Rolling the Demon Dice is especially cool, different demons are summoned every time. They then proceed to slither, fly and walk about while shredding everything to pieces. If nothing else is left, prepare to put down some demon butt.