What it is
Alice: Madness Returns is a third-person action-adventure platformer from Spicy Horse and Electronic Arts, set between grim Victorian London and a corrupted Wonderland. Released in the UK on Friday, 17 June 2011, it remains an unusually imaginative but uneven sequel: its art direction, atmosphere and story stand out, while repetitive combat, long platforming sections and a dated PC version show its age.
- UK release
- Friday, 17 June 2011
- Platforms
- PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360; Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S via backward compatibility
- Developer
- Spicy Horse Games
- Publisher
- Electronic Arts
- UK price
- £14.99 on Xbox; £8.99 on Steam, checked 1 October 2026
- PEGI
- PEGI 18 — bad language and violence
- Genre
- Third-person action-adventure, 3D platformer and hack and slash
- Online mode
- No — single-player only
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 3
- Game Pass/PS Plus
- PC Game Pass and Ultimate via EA Play listing; no current PS Plus listing verified
Story and setting
Alice Liddell is living in Victorian London after being released from Rutledge Asylum, still troubled by the fire that killed her family. When Wonderland returns in her visions, it is no longer a refuge. An Infernal Train is tearing through the land, leaving corruption in its wake, and Alice must investigate the fate of familiar figures including the Mad Hatter, Mock Turtle, Cheshire Cat and Red Queen.
The game moves regularly between London and Wonderland, using the contrast to explore memory, guilt, trauma and exploitation. It is substantially darker than Lewis Carroll’s books and contains disturbing material involving violence, sexual abuse and the mistreatment of children, alongside blood, strong language and grotesque enemy designs. The narrative can be blunt, but the ruined Wonderland remains the game’s strongest achievement.
How it plays
Alice: Madness Returns is played entirely from a third-person perspective. Exploration combines traditional 3D platforming with environmental puzzles, collectibles and occasional side-scrolling sequences. Alice can shrink to reveal hidden paths and clues, float across gaps, and grow to giant size during specific encounters. Puzzles include musical memories, picture blocks, chess-themed challenges and transforming obstacles.
Combat is built around a small but distinctive arsenal. The rapid Vorpal Blade, heavy Hobby Horse, ranged Pepper Grinder and explosive Teapot Cannon each suit different enemy types and situations, and weapons can be upgraded as the story progresses. Alice also has a temporary Hysteria state when her health is low. The systems are easy to understand, but the game repeatedly reuses enemies, combat arenas and platforming ideas. Camera behaviour and occasional imprecise jumps are the main mechanical irritations.
DLC and later changes
The principal post-launch addition was the Weapons of Madness and Dresses Pack. It adds a fourth upgrade tier for Alice’s weapons and six alternative dresses with gameplay effects, rather than a new campaign or separate multiplayer mode. The UK Xbox Store currently lists the pack at £1.29.
Console copies originally provided access to a downloadable version of American McGee’s Alice, the 2000 predecessor, through an Online Pass. The UK Xbox Store still lists American McGee’s Alice as a free add-on for the backward-compatible version. The PC edition has had a more complicated history: it returned to Steam in 2022 after years away, but the standard Steam release does not present the old console-style package as a modern remaster. Community patches can address technical problems, but they are unofficial.
Platforms, editions and UK price
The original release was on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 version is backward compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, making Microsoft’s hardware the most straightforward console route today. It is still the 2011 Xbox 360 build rather than a native Series X|S remaster. The PC version is available through Steam and EA’s Windows app, though its old technology can require troubleshooting on modern systems.
As checked on 1 October 2026, the Xbox UK digital listing is £14.99 and the Steam price is £8.99. Physical copies are second-hand stock, so prices vary by condition and whether the original Alice access code has already been used. The PC listing has been associated with PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate through EA Play, while the current Xbox console listing does not clearly display an active subscription entitlement. No PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 version is listed.
Reception and verdict
The critical response was mixed. Metacritic records a 70 out of 100 critic average across 67 reviews, while GameSpot awarded 7 out of 10, IGN gave 6.5 out of 10 and Eurogamer scored it 5 out of 10. The common view was that the visual design, setting and unsettling tone were far more memorable than the underlying action.
It is worth playing for its distinctive interpretation of Wonderland, strong visual identity and unusually grim subject matter, particularly if you enjoy older 3D platformers. Approach it as a 2011 cult oddity rather than a polished modern action game. Xbox players get the least troublesome version on current hardware; PC players should be prepared for an older port and may want to investigate community fixes.
Not yet confirmed
- No current native PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch or Xbox Series X|S remaster has been verified.
- The current Xbox console listing does not clearly confirm active Game Pass inclusion, so console subscription availability may vary.
- No official new story expansion, multiplayer mode or modern remaster has been announced.
Alice: Madness Returns: your questions
Is Alice: Madness Returns on Xbox Series X or Series S?
Yes. The Xbox 360 version is backward compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, and the UK Xbox Store lists it for those consoles. It remains the original version rather than a native current-generation remaster.
Do I need to play American McGee’s Alice first?
No. Madness Returns explains the important background and works as a standalone story, although the original game provides useful context for Alice’s history. American McGee’s Alice was included as a downloadable add-on with the original console release and remains listed as free DLC on Xbox.
Is Alice: Madness Returns an online game?
No. It is a single-player game with no online multiplayer or co-op mode.
Is Alice: Madness Returns scary?
It is a dark fantasy action game rather than a conventional survival horror title, but it contains graphic violence, disturbing imagery and mature themes. It carries a PEGI 18 rating in the UK.
How much does Alice: Madness Returns cost in the UK?
The Xbox digital version is listed at £14.99, while the Steam version was £8.99 when checked on 1 October 2026. Second-hand physical prices vary.
