Games had that pull on us back in the day. I followed Resident Evil through Gamefan magazine religiously. It looked exactly like what I wanted - an updated version of Alone in the Dark. I don't remember if I got it on day one or not now but I got it eventually, in the cardboard longbox too.

I remember staying up really late to play it, I didn't stay up all night but did make it to around 2 or so before I gave out and had to go to bed. Such an awesome game.