Alice series logo.
Alice is, primarily, a dualogy of video games directed by American McGee, although it has expanded to include animated films, some literature, and a TV series is also currently in development. The series is primarily published by Electronic Arts and has had multiple developers, mainly Rogue Entertainment and Spicy Horse.
After the release of the first game, the series received "cult classic" status. The series is often applauded for its surreal and visceral art design, intriguing psychological storyline that covers mature and dark themes and adult subject matter, emotional and haunting music, and entertaining gameplay that includes elements such as platforming, combat-focused action and puzzle solving.
Plot[]
The series is a macabre unauthorized continuation of the two surreal classic children's novels written by Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.
Alice in catatonia in the asylum.
The plot of the series focuses on a young woman living in London near the mid-end of the 19th century, Alice Liddell. As a child, Alice grew up with an imaginary world in her mind called Wonderland. However, after her family's death in a tragic house fire, she is sent to an insane asylum called Rutledge Asylum; her mental health deteriorates and she has become mentally ill in a coma. The series focuses on Alice struggling with her mental illness, her recovery from her insanity, and her dealing with the border between reality and a corrupted nightmarish Wonderland.
The series focuses on themes such as mental health, trauma, grief, psychology, and much more.
Video games[]
American McGee's Alice[]
American McGee's Alice cover.
- Main article: American McGee's Alice
American McGee's Alice, or simply Alice, is an action-adventure video game developed by Rogue Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. It was released on October 6, 2000 for PC and on July 20, 2001 for Mac. It was also ported to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and is available on the Xbox Series X/S via backwards compatibility.
It is the first installment in the Alice series. The game was designed by American McGee, hence the game's title, and acts as a macabre unauthorized sequel to Lewis Carroll's best-known novels, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, and features elements from the shooter, platforming, and horror game genres.
Alice: Madness Returns[]
Alice: Madness Returns cover.
- Main article: Alice: Madness Returns
Alice: Madness Returns is a video game directed by American McGee and developed by Spicy Horse and published by Electronic Arts on June 14, 2011 in North America, June 16 in Europe, and July 21 in Japan for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Madness Returns is the second installment in the Alice series and a direct sequel to American McGee's Alice. The plot focuses on Alice a year after the events of the first game, and it includes more exploration of London and Alice's home life. The gameplay includes more variety, with elements such as collectibles, mini-games and weapon upgrading.
A sequel to Madness Returns exists called Alice: Otherlands, although it is currently two animated short films and artwork. A proper video game sequel, Alice: Asylum is currently being proposed.
Alice: Asylum[]
Alice: Asylum logo.
- Main article: Alice: Asylum
Alice: Asylum is intended to be a sequel to Alice: Madness Returns, tying up some loose ends to the series, giving Alice a proper closure instead of the rather cliffhanger ending from Madness Returns, and answering some unfinished plot threads from Madness Returns. Asylum is being proposed by American McGee, although it has not been greenlit by Electronic Arts yet.
McGee pitched the project in 2017 and has discussed many ideas on his Patreon, with concept artists and designers working together as a group project. A rough draft of a script for Asylum has also been created as well.
Movies and shows[]
Alice: Otherlands[]
Alice: Otherlands cover.
- Main article: Alice: Otherlands
Otherlands is a series of two short films, released in 2015. In contrast to the video games, which received heavy funding from Electronic Arts, Otherlands was produced with Kickstarter funds due to McGee's difficulty with obtaining the rights of the series from EA. Physical copies were sent to backers. Excluding credits, both films combined are only 13 minutes.
TV series[]
- Main article: Alice (TV series)
In early 2022, it was announced that a television series adaptation of the first game will be developed. It will be directed and written by David Hayter.
Literature[]
Wilson's casebook[]
Wilson's casebook cover
- Main article: Wilson's casebook
A physical document was released alongside American McGee's Alice in 2000. The journal which describes Alice Liddell's time at Rutledge Asylum in London under the care of Dr. Heironymous Q. Wilson over a period of 10 years, after her stay at Littlemore Infirmary. The casebook was written by Greg Roensch and is intended to be read before playing the game. It is not a very long document and should not take most people more than twenty minutes to read.
American McGee's Alice Official Strategy Guide[]
- Main article: American McGee's Alice Official Strategy Guide
An official strategy guide for the first game was released in 2000 by Prima Games. It is 240 pages long as is currently the only official strategy guide released for any game in the series.
Alice: Madness Returns Storybook[]
Storybook main menu.
- Main article: Alice: Madness Returns Storybook
A month before Madness Returns was released, on May 20, 2011, Spicy Horse released a free-to-download application for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. The app is an interactive book, and was made to promote Madness Returns by acting as a type of prequel, covering the ten-year period that Alice Liddell was treated in Rutledge Asylum, finishing around the time of her release and move to Houndsditch Home for Wayward Youth. As well as covering the events that happened during American McGee's Alice in Wonderland, it also showed what happened to Alice in the asylum.
The Art of Alice: Madness Returns[]
The Art of Alice: Madness Returns cover
- Main article: The Art of Alice: Madness Returns
A 184-page, hardback art book showcasing various artwork for Alice: Madness Returns was published. Released in May 2011 by Dark Horse, the book features an introduction by series creator American McGee, and a range of work by thirteen artists who worked on the game, including its art director Ken Wong. It also discusses many ideas and original intentions, including scrapped content.
The Art of Alice: Otherlands[]
- Main article: The Art of Alice: Otherlands
A 50-page artbook published by Spicy Horse for Alice: Otherlands. It was included in the Alice: Otherlands Kickstarter as a physical backer reward, and was available as a digital copy for non-backers.