American McGee’s Alice Fans Should Keep an Eye on Bye Sweet Carole

American McGee's Alice Fans Should Keep an Eye on Bye Sweet Carole

As a seasoned gamer who has been captivated by the twisted tales of Alice in Wonderland since the days of American McGee’s Alice, I must say that the upcoming release of Bye Sweet Carole has piqued my interest immensely. The blend of dark fantasy and classic Disney animation is a potent combination that I can’t wait to delve into.


Among several dormant franchises worthy of revival, American McGee’s Alice is one that deserves another shot at life. Last year, McGee announced the series was effectively over due to Electronic Arts’ lack of backing for potential sequels like Alice: Asylum and Alice: Otherlands. Despite this, fans of the franchise remain hopeful, waiting for a new developer and publisher to step in with McGee’s design guidebook as their compass.

For those who enjoy the chilling atmosphere of Alice, keep a watch for the Disney-style horror narrative game, Bye Sweet Carole. Conceived by Chris Darril, the creator of the Remothered series, this game boasts hand-drawn and painted characters and settings reminiscent of classic animation movies. The world is both fantastical and unsettling, offering a fresh perspective on the traditional Wonderland theme that may resonate with fans of American McGee’s Alice.

Bye Sweet Carole Takes Notes From Alice in Wonderland

American McGee's Alice Fans Should Keep an Eye on Bye Sweet Carole

Name, developer, & publisherBye Sweet Carole

  • Developer: Little Sewing Machine
  • Publisher: Maximum Entertainment
Release date2025
PlatformsPC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S

The captivating tale of “Alice in Wonderland” has left many spellbound due to its exploration of curiosity and imagination, as seen through the perspective of a young girl named Alice. This story features Alice’s unusual adventures and the equally surreal imagery found within Wonderland, which has led to numerous interpretations with a darker undertone. Many creators have delved into this realm, suggesting that Alice Liddell, our protagonist, might be experiencing some form of mental decline. For example, McGee chose to explore this idea in “Alice” and “Alice: Madness Returns,” where Wonderland symbolizes the fractured mind of Alice Liddell, a reflection of her traumatic past experiences.

In the game titled “Farewell, Sweet Carole“, the young heroine Lana Benton sets off on a thrilling yet perilous quest to locate her vanished best friend, Carole Simmons. As she goes, she simultaneously unearths the ominous mysteries surrounding Bunny Hall Orphanage. The narrative alternates between the actual world and the fanciful land of Corolla, teeming with eerie spirits and tar bunnies. Lana must conquer these challenges with the aid of her sidekick Mr. Baesie.

Mr. Baesie is depicted as a figure resembling a puppet, often seen accompanying Lana during her journey. It seems there’s a chance that players might have the ability to manipulate him in certain stages, potentially suggesting a multiplayer mode or control over him in specific levels.

In contrast to the “American McGee’s Alice” series where Wonderland remains distinct from reality, the dark fantasy of “Bye Sweet Carole” subtly merges Corolla into the real world, hinted by the “Midnight Trailer” suggesting that evil emerges at night. This blend instills an unsettling ambiance for Lana, as she is surprised and puzzled to encounter strange creatures in what was supposed to be a safe haven for her, and even more bewildered to find herself endowed with magical abilities in Corolla.

In a style reminiscent of “Alice in Wonderland,” the eerie aspects of the game “Bye Sweet Carole” draw heavily from classic Disney animated films. The characters’ clothing, with its early 1900s American aesthetic, bears a resemblance to that seen in “The Princess and The Frog,” while their animal companions seem influenced by tales such as “Snow White” and “Cinderella“. It’s possible that there are other sources of inspiration hidden within the game, and fans will have to look forward to its release next year to uncover them.

The abrupt conclusion of the American McGee’s Alice series may have left horror game enthusiasts yearning for a new installment in the franchise feeling a bit empty. However, various studios have been tirelessly working to infuse fresh perspectives into classic tales, much like what McGee initially intended. Among these innovative titles, Bye Sweet Carole strikes a chord not just for its distinctive visual style, but also for the way it reinvents the narrative horror genre. Though it isn’t a direct sequel to the Alice series, fans could find echoes of Alice in Wonderland woven into Lana and Carole’s story, making it a fitting spiritual successor.

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2024-10-30 19:04