A Review of Alisa. A Survivor Horror game with a 1990s feel.

Believe it or not, this game demo was made in 2020.

Never have I seen a game or a game demo capture the feel and look of the classic PlayStation One games as Alisa. Created by Casper Croes, Just about everything from the graphics, the feel, the music, the atmosphere...in short there is much to love about this game.

The premise of Alisa is somewhat similar to the first Resident Evil, and in a sense, Silent Hill. According to creator, Casper Croes, Alisa is an Elite Royal Agent. What government she is working for, or when the game takes place, or where the action occurs is not known. The only hint we are given in regard to Alisa is the setting is an alternate universe with a 1920s backdrop.

While on a case to apprehend a criminal, Alisa awakens inside a giant mansion occupied with killer robotic dolls. Armed with a pistol, her wits, and what seems to be a doll's dress, Alisa embarks on discovering the mystery behind the mansion, while also making her escape. Along the way, she comes across a strange puppet named Pol. Who is this puppet? What is its deal? We do not know. However, Pol does offer a safe haven in the mansion for Alisa. Not to mention a place where Alisa can stock up on weaponry and health items. (Personally, I do not trust Pol. Owe it to my experience in playing Survivor Horror games...and as a writer.)

Although the demo above ends with the first puzzle being solved, I longed for more. The reason being is I have more questions than answers. What horrors await Alisa? Whom has captured her? Will we uncover the motives of Alisa's captors? Also, who built those robotic dolls and why? Perhaps the only way to answer these questions is to obtain the full copy.

Casper Croes is a complete genius. He captures the feel and the look of a game created back in the late 1990s. Just by the look alone, Mr. Croes did something I never thought was even possible. I previously stated Mr. Croes made me feel as though I were a teen again because of the overall design of Alisa. I say this because by simply playing the demo, it brought back memories of me playing Resident Evil and Silent Hill back in my old room. Although my first experience with Alisa may have come from the video posted above, it nonetheless brought back that feeling I had when I was a young teen. Which was for me, the magical year of 1999.

In this day of advanced life like graphics, its refreshing to see a game returning to an earlier look. Its doubtful Alisa would have worked with modern graphics because that would have taken the magic from Alisa. Yet, for some, the best video games do not need these excessive gaudy graphics. This causes the story to be lost in the overly display of realistic depictions of the games.

And do not get me started on the music! The music itself in Alisa just sounds fitting for a strange mansion filled with murderous doll-like robots. Some of the tracks sound silly and playful. Others have a creepy vibe to them. And the best part of all? The music fits every scene! A great soundtrack must have music that fits the mood and scene. Alisa scores big on both parts.

Various gamers, myself included, will find Alisa to be the best game they've played to date. Many of whom will hearken back to the days of simple graphics and game play much like I have.

In closing, for those whom wish to play a demo of Alisa, please visit https://caspercroes.itch.io/alisa-demo. The site contains all the information relating to the game demo of Alisa and updates regarding its production.

One can also follow Chris Croes on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CasperCroes. Croes also has Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alisagame.exe/?hl=en. Until then, please avoid the monstrous robot dolls at all costs!