Alan Wake

This week I go looking for things that go bump in the night with Alan Wake.  The game was in development for what seemed like forever, almost becoming the next Duke Nukem Forever.  Well I have it and I've played it, it is real.  So grab a spot around the campfire, it's spooky story time.

Story

Alan Wake is a best selling author, but for the last few years he's had writers block.  His wife, Alice, thinking a change of scenery may snap him out of it, suggests a vacation.  So they leave the big city for a vacation in the Pacific Northwest town of Bright Falls, Washington.  Once there Alan gets the keys to the rental cabin from a mysterious lady dressed in a black funeral dress.

Once at the cabin Alice reveals the real reason she chose Bright Falls was because a doctor there specializes in helping artists with creative blocks.  Furious Alan storms out of the cabin.  Moments later Alice screams and Alan races back to the cabin.  Unable to find her he sees the back porch railing broken.  Thinking she may have fallen into the lake he dives in...

...only to wake up behind the wheel of a crashed car.  Making his way out of the wreck he spots the lights of a distant gas station.  He starts making his way though the dark night-time forest to the gas station to call for help when something makes a noise.

I will not reveal any more.  Suffice to say Alan finds himself in a nightmare that literally is of his own making.  All the while making the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

Controls

The controls were pretty tight and good for this third person game.  The only questionable control was the dodge and run on the same button, but really that wasn't a problem.  Trust me when I say if you want to dodge in this game you want to run right after.  Targeting was kind of loose in that you can't precisely aim, but are generally in the right spot when shooting.  Meaning where the flashlight is pointed is the direction you are going to shoot, still it's not terrible enough to hurt the game.

Gameplay

The game is basically a third person action game with a horror overtone.  The general driving element is to find your wife.  Along the way you either fight, or if out of ammo, run from possessed people or objects.  Thing is you never know when or where they are coming from and they will sneak up on you.

Graphics and Sound

Graphics are really good.  The only fault I can give them is that the facial animation is a bit out of sync when characters talk, so they are a bit like ventriloquist dummies.  Still though it's really good.  Developers Remedy Entertainment really wanted to get the feel of the Pacific Northwest and took thousands of photos of Diablo Dam in Washington, Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and many other places in Washington and Oregon.  When the game is set during the day you really notice this touch.

The voice acting is really good too.  Each person fits their character like a glove.  The music also sets the mood too, like a combination of Twilight Zone and Twin Peaks.  And while I have been asked not to reveal the songs in the soundtrack, I have to say whoever picked out these songs, thumbs up.  They are great songs and fit the mood and theme of the game.

Overall

To be honest this wasn't a game I had any real interest in.  Now that I've played it I really can't wait to see what Remedy Entertainment have up their sleeves next.  I like a good suspenseful horror tale and this game did not disappoint.  Chills up my spine, hair standing on end, pick a cliche and I felt it.  One of the things you find throughout the game is pages of manuscript that Alan wrote, but does not remember writing.  What is significant is that these pages are coming true as you play the game.  So in some cases even though you have been told what's coming it's still a surprise or scare when it happens.

Some of the storytelling touches I really liked.  Such as each chapter after the first starting like it was the next episode in a TV show.  "Previously on Alan Wake," and they would give you a summary of events in the previous chapter.

I'm glad Microsoft let Remedy take their time to put this game together and not rushed them to get it out.  It may have been delayed, but the game, the story, everything shows that they really worked hard at making a phenomenal experience.  This game really raises the bar on almost all fronts, much like Heavy Rain.  I think between the two games Remedy and Quantic Dream have both shown that there is a lot more that can be done with games.

So Alan Wake gets the 5 out of 5.  If you really like a good solid game and  Stephen King-esque horror then pick up Alan Wake.  Simply put, one of the best games I've played.

Really the only thing I can really say bad about this game besides the facial animation is the product placement. Ford, Microsoft Sync, and Energizer batteries get some pretty obvious plugs.  On the other hand I'm a bit surprised Energizer went with it.  As quickly as the batteries die in game you'd think they were the worst batteries to get.  Still if I have to have some product placement to get a game of this level of quality then bring it.

Alan Wake is rated T for Teen for Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence