Alan Wake Review
Alan Wake looked fantastic for the past couple of years, but with all the delays I wasn't sure if it was ever actually going to be released. However, I am extremely glad that the delays didn't spoil the game with overproduction.
It is quite interesting to use light-based weapons in conjunction with normal weapons, and here the game succeeds, because the controls are very simple, even though you can do quite a lot with them. As someone else said, you point the flashlight at something, and it becomes your targeting reticule. Very cool.
The story is...confusing. You think you know what's going on, and then you find something out, but then it turns out not to be true...or is it? Who's lying? You don't really know. I spent a great deal of the time trying to figure out what was real and what wasn't. Because even about halfway through the game when you start to gain allies who believe how crazy things are getting, you wonder if maybe it isn't a dream. Anyways, it's a psychological game, not as dark as Max Payne, but in the same vein.
Basically though, it comes down to this: The game works. It is emotionally engaging, the characters feel real and believable, so we care about them and what happens to them. I'm sure more will be cleared up with downloadable content, and the ending is open enough to leave room for a sequel. The game doesn't take too long to complete...I started it last night and only played for about an hour, and then knocked out the rest in about six hours. And this is really the only drawback, and the reason it gets 4 stars and not five. Well, two reasons. There isn't a whole lot of replay value in this game. The tension and horror in the story comes from the unknown of it all, playing it again knowing where the scares are (Yes, there are some) and knowing where the story is going before the reveal would probably make it fairly boring. The second reason is the enemies. A lot of the game takes place in various forest setting and, to this end, the concentration of enemies in the forest is rather high, and it gets to be fairly repetitive. Luckily though, with the various light-based weapons the game manages to stay quite fun for a first playthrough.
Based on the relatively short game length and low replay value, I would honestly recommend most people rent this game. With a suggestion like that, I had to ask myself, does it even deserve 4 stars? But yeah, I still think it does. I forgive the game for being short because, quite honestly, the game doesn't BS around. Your character does what he needs to do, period. And I prefer that style to that of doing pointless filler missions to try to bulk up on the length of gameplay. You certainly won't find yourself thinking "Come on! Get to to it already!" If anything this game suffers a little from a lack of revelation. But being a psychological/horror game, you don't really expect characters to stand around monologuing all damn day.
One last word, and this is for people who have played it. The game is divided into six chapters, and at the end of every chapter, there is an intermission (with the option to skip it). The very first song played is "In Dreams" by Roy Orbison. Ughhhh, so awesome. I thought maybe they'd use that song for every intermission, but no. It's five different songs. And my gripe is about the other four after In Dreams. They all seem to really hit you over the head with simple lyrics and straightforward ideas. Turned out making it feel kinda hokie. But whatever, the songs are short and you can skip them anyways.
Alan Wake Feature
- Intense Cinematic Action - From Remedy, the masters of cinematic action, comes a 3rd person action game filled with overwhelming odds and desperate near escapes.
- Gripping Suspense - Storytelling at its best, Alan Wake is like a tightly paced thriller TV series, offering endless twists and cliffhangers, and building up to an epic conclusion.
- Light is your Weapon - Light is your greatest weapon and only protection as dark¬ness takes over everything and everyone, and turns them against you.
- Episodic narrative
- Suspenseful and gripping storyline
Alan Wake Overview
When the wife of the best-selling writer Alan Wake disappears on their vacation, his search turns up pages from a thriller he doesn’t even remember writing. A dark presence stalks the small town of Bright Falls, Washington pushing Wake to the brink of sanity in his fight to unravel the mystery and save the woman he loves. With the body of an action game and the mind of a psychological thriller, Alan Wake is a pulse-pounding thrill ride.
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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jun 08, 2010 15:34:04
pretty dern disappointing - J. Edwards - Redondo Beach, CA
This is my first Amazon review so bear with me (although I've been playing Xbox games for 10(?) years and have completed literally tens of them). I read all the great reviews for "Alan Wake" and thought, okay this sounds interesting and different, I'll give it a go. Big mistake (for ). While visually it was both interesting and very different, it was one of the most linear games I've ever played. Like the similarly disappointing "Gears of War", your character might as well be walking down an invisible sidewalk. You have zero, and I mean zero, choices as to what to do or how to do it... one could imagine a computer playing this game itself as well as you could do. No "sand box" or "big world" aspect to it at all. You go where they game producers want you to go, talk to whomever they want you to do, and fight any and all monsters they predictably throw in your way. I was bored thru the entire game. The story itself is little more than a B-rated ghost story. The scariest part of the whole game was when you finally (and welcomely) reach the end of it only to discover that it is "to be continued"... oh no, not again!
If you can borrow this game from a friend or get it at the Salvation Army for (maybe , tops) then go for it but expect to be bored and disappointed. Otherwise, I'd strongly recommend you giving this title a pass--- "Thanks, but no thanks".
Pretty - and Pretty Boring - Argyle -
This game was a disappointment. Yes, the graphics are very well done. Yes, the atmospherics are as spooky and creepy as anyone could ask for. But the actual PLAY is linear, uninspired, limited, repetitive, boring, Boring, BORING!!! Not to mention the ending is a complete POS. Not to spoil, but you don't even get to fight the main adversary at the end - it's a video after you defeat a really, really easy obstacle. I want to meet the designers of this game and slap them for this RIP OFF.
Suspensful and High Production! - JD - NJ
This is one of those rare experiences that try to push forward what it means to be a game. The "psychological thriller" holds up and the story is quite suspenseful if you let yourself get into it. The use of lighting is the best I have seen (which is good since that is the core game mechanic) and the soundtrack is top. The combat is a bit simple, but it is certainly entertaining enough and the visuals when fighting the enemies with light is very cool. Treat yourself and get this game!
Alan Wake Specifications
Alan Wake, developed by Remedy Entertainment for the Xbox 360, is psychological action thriller that incorporates the elements of a TV show with the interactivity of a video game for a uniquely immersive experience. A suspenseful story told in successive episodes, this release will treat players to top-notch graphics that give the game a stunning cinematic look.
 Search for clues to figure out the mystery. View larger. |
 Alan Wake slowly realizes that his nightmares are coming true. View larger. |
 You'll be able to freely roam the town of Bright Falls. View larger. |
 High definition graphics and lighting effects make for a spectacular looking game. View larger. |
Alan Wake is a bestselling horror novelist who moved to the small town of Bright Falls, Washington after suffering from insomnia and depression. Wake is able to sleep again, but after he meets a mysterious woman, he begins to have terrible nightmares. As he puts these nightmares on paper for a new book, he soon notices that all the things that happen in his book are coming true right before his eyes.
Using cinematic effects and technology such as real-time lighting, shadows and reflections, you'll be treated to a game that is oozing with atmosphere and able to invoke an emotional response from the player. The realistic environment features real-time weather and light changes that effect the game play for a remarkably immersive experience.
Explore an Entire Town
The town of Bright Falls is 100 square kilometers, and players will be able to roam through this incredibly detailed area any way they like, roaming the town or wandering out to the lakes, forest, satellite towns, and more. The game gives the player goals, but how he chooses to go about completing them is up to him. Clues are scattered throughout the town, and solving mysteries will require players to pay close attention to the little details.
Intense Combat
In addition to solving puzzles and exploration, the game also pushes players into serious action and combat; when night comes, creatures will take their best shots at Alan, and you'll have to be quick with strategy as well as weapons to beat them back.
Alan Wake presents an unusual and new gaming experience that features a riveting, multi-layered story while giving the player the ability to freely roam a giant environment. It supports Dolby Digital sound and runs at a beautiful high-definition 720p.
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