American McGee's take on Alice In Wonderland is an interesting addition to the source material, and actually takes place after the young girl's previous trips to the strange world. This time around, the story is much darker and begins after a fire burns down her house and kills her parents, orphaning Alice. Left in a fragile state, her adventure into wonderland is actually a look into her own psyche, and her only rescue from looming insanity. In the game, Alice comes across many of the likely characters from the literary tale, but also many from Rogue's own imagination including some incidental “characters” like rocks that get up and walk away when stepped on or giant fish with luminescent antennae to light their way. Of course some, like the rocks, are harmless, while others like the fish can end Alice's adventure in one gulp. Many of the opposition populate levels throughout the game like the queen's card guards while others are resident to particular levels. Some of the more surreal characters confined to only a few levels are catatonic children that are actually an indication of the state of Alice's own sanity. These youngsters are generally harmless, but nonetheless a stirring sight as they hop and stumble in a passageway, or in a group together on a stage.
These children are a memorable part of the game, but are really only encountered in a few levels. However there are plenty more surreal characters that Alice comes in contact with, and plenty outside of the realm of Lewis Carroll's vision. In some of the outdoors levels, an army of ants armed with rifles tries to stop Alice in her path while ladybugs drop acorn bombs and roses shoot thorns. No place is safe or sane, which means Alice must always be on her guard.
With characters unique to this version of Alice, it would almost be likely that this game should have a different name, but this is definitely the world of Alice as many of Lewis Carroll's characters live in this title as well. It should go without saying that the Queen of Hearts and an army of her troops show up throughout the game, but also the centipede, Mad Hatter, and a host of other characters pose opposition at different levels, while players will also encounter a duchess armed with a burning pepper shaker and other bosses that make the game challenging.