Key Highlights:
- Emily offers a deeper connection to the story and smoother gameplay.
- Edward presents a more investigative perspective with unique dialogue.
- Both are required for full story completion and true ending.
Quick Links:
After the opening cinematic in Alone in the Dark Remake, players must choose whether to play as Edward Carnby or Emily Hartwood.
While the overall journey remains similar, your choice influences character interactions, available content, and gameplay experience.
This guide breaks down the key differences to help you decide who to start with.
Story Perspective: Who Feels More Connected?
Emily Hartwood is Jeremy’s niece, and her personal link to Derceto’s residents provides a more grounded and emotional entry point into the story. Characters recognise her, refer to shared memories, and she often accesses more personal details in conversations.
For instance, she uncovers information in early scenes with Dr Gray and later finds Ruth in the Library – scenarios that play out differently with Edward.
In contrast, Edward Carnby is a private investigator hired to find Jeremy. He’s an outsider, which gives players the chance to uncover the manor’s secrets alongside him. His detached view fits well if you prefer the feeling of piecing together a mystery with fresh eyes.
Gameplay Differences: Does One Play Better?
While both characters share the same mechanics, there are subtle gameplay differences:
- Emily starts with a pistol that holds seven rounds per clip and reloads in one smooth motion.
- Edward begins with a six-shot revolver, which he reloads one bullet at a time.
This slight advantage in speed and ammo count makes Emily more efficient in combat, particularly early on when weapons are limited.
Edward begins with fewer healing items and a smaller supply of ammunition, which can make the opening chapters more challenging. However, his revolver compensates with higher damage per shot, rewarding players who favour precise, deliberate gunplay.
Conversely, Emily starts with more healing items and a larger ammo pool, offering greater flexibility during combat. Although her pistol deals less damage per hit compared to Edward’s weapon, its faster reload speed and efficiency make her better suited for players who prefer a more forgiving or agile approach in tense situations.
Also, Emily is the only one who can access the morgue, an optional area that expands Derceto’s lore. This exclusive location gives her a small but meaningful edge in uncovering the backstory.
Lagniappes: Why You’ll Need Both Characters
To fully complete the game and unlock the true ending, you must collect all Lagniappes, hidden objects that form thematic sets. These sets can reward you with helpful tools, such as a shotgun or gameplay hints.
However, some Lagniappes are exclusive to either Edward or Emily. You cannot collect everything in a single playthrough.
This means you’ll need to replay the game with the other character to gather the missing pieces and access all of the story’s layers.
Key Character Differences At a Glance
| Feature | Emily Hartwood | Edward Carnby |
|---|---|---|
| Ties to Derceto | Personal and emotional | Hired outsider |
| First encounter with Ruth | Library | Mezzanine |
| Firearm | Pistol (7-round clip) | Revolver (6-shot, single reload) |
| Reload method | Full clip | Bullet-by-bullet |
| Exclusive location | Morgue | Not accessible |
| Narrative tone | Personal and introspective | Investigative and methodical |
| Chapter Two unique scene | Sees maid burying a cat | Scene does not occur |
| Hateful Mound ending | Ms. Labouis escapes | Ms. Labouis is attacked |
Final Recommendation
If you’re new to Alone in the Dark, we recommend starting with Emily Hartwood. Her stronger narrative ties, smoother weapon handling, and exclusive scenes make her storyline feel more cohesive and accessible for a first run.
That said, Edward Carnby isn’t a poor choice. His outsider’s perspective offers a different narrative texture, and replaying the game with him adds new details and scenes that complete the full picture.
Regardless of your first pick, both characters are essential if you want to fully explore Derceto, uncover the truth about Jeremy, and unlock the game’s true ending.