Alice: Madness Returns is a dark, psychological action-adventure game that follows Alice as she grapples with the trauma of her past. Eleven years after a devastating fire claimed her family, Alice emerges from Rutledge Asylum, only to find her mind still plagued by haunting memories and visions. Seeking refuge in the twisted realm of Wonderland, she discovers that her beloved sanctuary has become corrupted by a malevolent force.

With an array of upgradeable melee weapons at her disposal, including the explosive Teapot Cannon and the classic Vorpal Blade, players engage in intense combat against grotesque enemies lurking in this shattered Wonderland. As Alice navigates this dark world, she encounters familiar yet distorted characters like the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter, each contributing to her journey of self-discovery.

The game also features intriguing puzzles that challenge players with intuitive mechanics, such as transforming obstacles and solving musical memories. Alice's unique abilities, like floating with her dress and expanding in size, provide additional layers of strategy as she attempts to unearth the truth about her past and save Wonderland from its impending doom.