Hello fellow gamers, it's me again.

I'm super stoked to share with you one of my all-time fave games, Alice: Madness Returns.

I first discovered this game through YouTube let's plays, and man, it completely hooked me. I mean, I was glued to my screen, dying to know what happened next.

The game is a sequel to American McGee's Alice, but I'll be honest, I never played the original - I only watched playthroughs. The characters in this game are an alternate take on Alice from Lewis Carroll's stories, and they have nothing to do with the original characters. It's like a whole new universe.

The story revolves around Alice Liddell, a girl whose family died in a fire and who's now struggling with mental health issues, forced to live in a mental asylum and later in a home for traumatized orphans under the care of Dr. Angus Bumby. It's a really dark and twisted tale, but in a good way.

The game is divided into two worlds: the real one, 19th-century England, and the fantastical, vibrant world where terror reigns supreme. In the real world, Alice continues to see hallucinations, and it's crazy to see how her mind is playing tricks on her.

The game has 6 chapters, during which we need to collect memories and have Alice recall who's really behind the fire and all the chaos in her world. To do this, we have to be super attentive, shrink down, examine clues on the walls, find hidden spots. It's like a big puzzle, and I loved every minute of it.

I've gotta say, one of the coolest things about this game is unlocking all these sweet new weapons as you progress through the levels. We're talking four different types - the sharp knife, pepper mill, rabbit, and teapot - and you can upgrade them using the teeth you collect. It's like, the more you play, the more powerful you get.

I'm also super stoked about the manic mode where you've got limited health, but you don't take damage and your attacks deal way more damage. It's like, a whole new level of challenge and excitement.

And let's not forget about the outfits for Alice - each chapter brings a new one, and there are even additional dresses with different bonuses. It's like, the more you play, the more style you get.

So, what really drew me into this game?

It's the story.

I mean, it's not your typical fairy tale, and it's seriously engaging. I found myself getting all invested in what was happening.

The music.

It's perfectly matched to each level, but the main theme is just incredible. I mean, it's stuck in my head for days.

The graphics.

For 2011, they're not bad at all - at least, in my opinion. I mean, they're not super fancy, but they get the job done.

What didn't I like?

The lack of variety.

Every level is basically the same - you jump, fly, search for memories, and fight enemies. The only thing that progresses the story is the memory inserts at the end. By the end of the game, it gets pretty repetitive.

The bugs.

The game freezes, crashes, and has issues with some of the gameplay elements from time to time. It's like, frustrating, but not game-breaking.

Despite all that, the game is still really interesting and atmospheric. There are levels with tons of action and quiet levels too. I've played through the game at least 10 times, despite its flaws and lack of variety, so if you're into games like this, I highly recommend giving it a try.

P.S. I'm such a fan of the game that I convinced my family to get me a mini replica of the sharp knife as a gift for one of my holidays.