Alice teases madness at TGS

American McGee’s Alice is a classic third-person action game that left its mark on gamers back in 2000. Praised for its visuals and level design, a sequel has been longed for ever since. Designer American McGee cut his teeth in the game development industry working for id Software programming and designing levels for the original Doom series, and Quake I and II.

The original Alice game was set in a grimly re-imagined alternative universe to Lewis Caroll’s book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The game was set years after the events of the original book, and shortly after the events of its sequel, Through the Looking Glass.

Alice’s home is burnt down by a fire, and her family is killed. This event causes Alice to slowly lose her touch with reality, and she is institutionalized at Rutledge Asylum. Her only companion in the asylum is a stuffed rabbit. Ten years pass and Alice descends into delirium, ultimately being sucked back into the realm of Wonderland; a place now distorted and twisted by her inner turmoil.

The familiar tale of Alice in Wonderland plays out again in this setting – Alice must end the mad rule of the Queen of Hearts, guided by familiar characters such as the Cheshire Cat.

Since the climactic conclusion of Alice, things have been quiet. American McGee worked on some other projects, but fans of the game always knew a return to the twisted world of Wonderland was in order. In 2009 hopes were realized – a new Alice game was officially announced by EA, Alice: Madness Returns.

The first teaser trailer emerged in July 2010, and shows Alice during a therapy session, succumbing to a wicked hallucination. A few screenshots were also released – check out MyGaming’s Alice Madness gallery.

Now a second batch of info has emerged at the Tokyo Game Show 2010, currently taking place. American McGee appeared during EA’s TGS event to briefly demonstrate Alice: Madness Returns. McGee promised that there would be three core elements to the game, “a dark and twisted Wonderland, a cast of amazing characters, and extremely unique gameplay.”

The game opens with Alice in a dark, Victorian era London. Alice seeks characters in London whom she hopes can help her combat the demons of her past, but she soon descends into her mental refuge of Wonderland. In wonderland, Alice becomes an idealized version of herself, but she brings her madness with her, and this is what threatens to corrupt and destroy her safe haven of Wonderland.

In terms of Gameplay, McGee revealed that “every enemy is a puzzle – find their weak spot to destroy them.” McGee also hinted at four of Alice’s unique weapons: the traditional Vorpal Blade from the original title, along with a teapot, hobbyhorse, and pepper grinder. No details were given on these new weapons. A slection of screenshots and concept artworks has also been released – check them out in MyGaming’s Alice: Madness Returns TGS 2010 gallery.

McGee’s presentation ended off with the second teaser video for Alice: Madness Returns.