Alone in the Dark's impact as a pioneer in survival horror may not receive as much acclaim as some other titles, but its influence on the genre is unmistakable. Creating a chilling and solitary gaming experience, the game set the foundation for many survival horror aspects that followed and evolved over time. While the franchise released titles until 2015, later games received mixed-to-negative reviews, leading to a decline in popularity.

With the upcoming 2024 release, developer Pieces Interactive aimed to capture the essence of a modern game, paying equal attention to visuals, gameplay, and music. In horror games, sound and audio design play a crucial role in setting up a mysterious and tense ambiance through music. Game Rant had a conversation with the main composer and sound designer of Alone in the Dark, Árni Bergur Zoëga, shedding light on the collaborative effort to bring the game's auditory vision to life.

The Four 'Musical Pillars' of Alone in the Dark

During the early stages, Zoëga identified four main musical elements/styles - Drama, Horror, Mystery, and Noir - to encapsulate the essence of Alone in the Dark's atmosphere, setting, and narrative. This decision allowed for experimentation, ranging from semi-humorous lounge jazz to classic film noir beats, all driven by the game's story.

Enhancing Horror with Doom Jazz Stylings

Discussing the soundtrack further, Zoëga highlighted the collaboration with doom jazz artist Jason Köhnen and how his contributions blended with other elements to intensify the horror experience. The collaboration began with the rendition of