{
  "id": 16732235,
  "title": "These Two Dark Fairytales Need to Unravel on Modern Consoles",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/these-two-dark-fairytales-need-to-unravel-on-modern-consoles",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-27T10:00:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Polygon",
    "slug": "polygon",
    "url": "https://www.polygon.com/american-mcgee-alice-madness-returns-console-retrospective/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In an era where the world can feel cold and dangerous, turning to stories becomes a means to comprehend survival in darkness. Games, much like classic novels and oral traditions, teach us valuable lessons about avoiding tricksters, suspicious fruit, and venturing into woods alone. However, there is a lack of games that embrace the rich tradition of fairytales, which is unfortunate. American McGee's Alice and its sequel, Alice: Madness Returns, are prime examples of the need for more games in this vein. These titles, published by Electronic Arts and awarded an M rating for their disturbing content, delve into the darker aspects of Wonderland, which differs significantly from the familiar version found in Kingdom Hearts. Alice finds herself returning to this unsettling realm, where her resourcefulness is tested against a malevolent force that has corrupted her beloved Wonderland. Upon its release in late 2000, American McGee's Alice garnered a Metacritic score of 85. It later became available as DLC for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in June 2011. The sequel, Alice: Madness Returns, debuted on June 14, 2011, and while it received mixed reviews, players appreciated its dark atmosphere and continued twists on the classic Alice story. Despite a lull in Alice-related content since 2014, the two games still captivate fans who wish to revisit Wonderland. However, the series may never see a third game, as American McGee's publishing partner, Electronic Arts, has refused to fund or license a new installment. In a 2023 video, McGee explained that this decision stems from EA's unwillingness to support or license the project. Nevertheless, Alice: Madness Returns remains accessible on Steam, albeit as a remnant of the past. The absence of these games on modern consoles is a disservice to fans who yearn for dark fairytale magic in contemporary gaming. With remastered visuals and quality-of-life improvements, both titles could enthrall a new generation of players seeking the sinister allure of Wonderland.",
  "summary": "It's unfair that some of the darkest and most creative games the industry has ever produced are locked away on old consoles.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}