This highly anticipated title came out with much excitement, though was not as well received as one would expect due to a said lack of adventure and rather linear storyline. Though the game is innovative in a twisted sort of way, it is not so different from many other action adventure titles combining puzzle elements (which is another throwback to Lewis Carroll's talents) while also including combat, making for an appealing game. The problem seems to be that you essentially move from level to level, puzzle to puzzle in a straightforward progression. You solve one puzzle, you move on with little in the way to sway you from the singular path. An adventure set in your mind should venture into those dark places where you're not sure you should go, while adding some twists and unexpected turns. While the environment in Alice is quite inventive, everything gameplay-related in Alice seems all too predictable, linear and conventional – turning into a traditional mix of combat and puzzle solving.
Despite some complaints, what Alice does show is imaginative settings and situations that vary on the action/adventure formula. Admittedly, however, the game can quickly become a hack ‘n slash at points. Still, it seems like some critics are just being critical since many games in this genre have as much of a fighting element. With American McGee at the helm of this project, expectations may have been raised just a bit high, which did not leave much room for praise.
Not just confined to the queen's castle, Alice's adventures in this dark adventure travel through Victorian-era buildings to watery rock ledges, icy landscapes and architecture that looks like it takes inspiration from an M.C. Escher painting. Though the visible surroundings can be quite different, the gameplay remains a bit predictable. The indoor settings tend to offer more puzzles, some with almost a steam punk inspiration while the outdoor settings can lean more towards combat with fewer physical puzzles to stand in your way.
The weapons used for fighting are a bit unconventional to say the least, including items like toys or decks of cards which are completely at home in Wonderland. In addition to the seemingly non-violent weapons, Alice does start out with a small sized knife that can be thrown or used at close range as a melee weapon. Our heroine also gains access to weapons like aforementioned deck of cards that can be thrown singly or in bursts of three for a larger attack, as well as an ice wand that freezes opponents and a larger machete that has a bit more hacking power than the knife. There are also jacks, a jack in the box bomb, and demon dice that can be pretty devastating when used properly, but can drain Alice's will and therefore firepower at a much faster rate than either blade. The dice and jacks can also cause Alice harm if she doesn't use them properly.