Alan Wake (PC/X360)

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Grand Master

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Atmospherics are really good, but the game so far has been really cheesy and the shooting mechanics I'm unsure of. Shine torch/fire/shine torch/fire. Facial animations and lip syncing are pretty bad as well and the jump to cutscenes is quite noticeable as they're pre-rendered bink video instead of in-game with some touch up.

I know it's the type of enemies you're up against, but aside from some swearing it's clear to see how this is a T :p I guess I just like sick twisted gore and Cliver Barker esque stuff in my horrors laugh.gif

Going to keep playing for the atmosphere though as they're definitely good.

Grand Master

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Atmospherics are really good, but the game so far has been really cheesy and the shooting mechanics I'm unsure of. Shine torch/fire/shine torch/fire. Facial animations and lip syncing are pretty bad as well and the jump to cutscenes is quite noticeable as they're pre-rendered bink video instead of in-game with some touch up.

I know it's the type of enemies you're up against, but aside from some swearing it's clear to see how this is a T :p I guess I just like sick twisted gore and Cliver Barker esque stuff in my horrors :laugh:

Going to keep playing for the atmosphere though as they're definitely good.

While I agree about the cut scenes and facial animations, they are definitely the weakest point in what is not a weak game, that is about all I agree with you so far. :laugh:

The game for me so far is absolutely bloody brilliant.

The overall atmosphere is just so incredibly well done. Simply no other way I can put it. Pretty much near perfection, even with some very old school approaches like (very minor spoiler but still)

doors just giving you the turning door knob sound if they are locked. But then throwing things at you like what you expect to be an invisible wall is not one and you simply plummet to your death.

I am only maybe 75 minutes in, so this is all pretty much still my first impression, but the atmosphere is just so superbly done I am completely engulfed by it. Just how everything is executed so far I have to say I am truly damned impressed. And since I really have avoided almost all media in regards to the game, it really is so much more creepier than I expected it to be. I am also a fan of classic "suspense" based horror, and I really feel they have nailed that whole vibe spot on. Just nailed it. I have truly been on edge just making it from one small checkpoint to the next.

And yeah one other thing I can kind of agree with you AB, are the gun play mechanics are definitely rough, but I believe that is the entire point. They are supposed to be and that adds to the tension IMO. Also because he is just a writer, again I think that is the point.

As I said, I have purposely avoided any videos, reviews, pretty much anything and everything to do with this game. I have now been looking forward to it for so many years, literally years, that I pretty much told myself awhile back that I would just get to play it when it was time to play it. I had such incredibly high expectations for this game since it was originally announced because it is Remedy behind it, and they just made one of my all time favorites with Max Payne.

So I would be lying if I said I was not incredibly skeptical about the end result, mainly because of the what has basically been years of waiting and what was basically a it will be done when it is done and stories about it going back to the drawing board, etc., but so far it appears as if Remedy may have indeed made the game I was not only hoping for but that I was honestly expecting them to make.

I have said numerous times on this forum I am not big on story, and that is because I have not felt a game has delivered the story in a fashion that I personally enjoyed and found engaging since Max Payne, well also Half Life, but it looks like I may have found my new game where story once again is an incredibly important factor. Just the way everything is unfolding is so far truly engaging. The manuscripts seem to be an integral part of things that I definitely suggest to all to make sure you pay attention to them and read them. Again I need to reiterate I am also pleasantly surprised as it is way creepier than I for some reason thought it was going to be.

Finally, as many who have been following it probably already know, but the use of light and dark is truly just so tastefully and well done so far.

I am off to bed to let things marinate, but damn am I looking forward to picking it back up ASAP.

It appears the what at times has seemed like the never-ending wait has indeed been well, well worth it. At this point I am pretty much of the mindset that although anything could happen, it would take an absolute travesty for this game to do something wrong from what I have seen so far. It is well on it's way to truly having a place among true video game classics from my perspective.

Grand Master

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Glad to hear you're enjoying things Larry, I guess it's just because it's not what I expected so far, it's incredibly cheesy for me.

I finished episode 1, and the whole "previously on Alan Wake" thing topped it off for me. I hated Siren for doing that, it's a game not a TV show and I found that just added to the cheese rofl.gif

I also find the heavy character narration fairly annoying. I prefer showing you or exposing you to the story through dialogue/you exploring.

Ars

The Good

* Strong story, good voice acting

* The characters and settings feel real and fleshed-out

* Genuine scares and surprises

* Reading the manuscript to get new insights into the game world and the people in it is a neat way to deliver exposition

* The ending is one of the creepier moments in gaming

* Even the lowliest enemies can pose a threat

* Wonderful use of licensed music

* Sense of humor that doesn't seem out of place

* The episodic nature of the story and gameplay keeps you interested in what's going to happen next

* The faux TV programs that play throughout the game are hilarious

The Bad

* The game is rather short—expect around eight hours to beat it

* Some of the sections where you're simply walking or driving from one place to the next are tiresome and drag on way too long

* The product placement is seriously distracting and out of place

The Ugly

* People who enjoy their stories ending with a neat conclusion, all wrapped up in a bow... are going to scream when they finish this

Verdict: Rent

Source: http://arstechnica.c...alan-wake.ars/2

Eurogamer

By comparison, Alan Wake is tired and derivative. Everything about it feels dated, from the linear level design to the red-green switch nonsense to the visual stylings (surely not even J Allard has attempted the hoodie-with-jacket combo since 2005). There are plenty of fancy cut-scenes, dramatic voiceovers and cinematic camera angles, but even when Alan Wake does a good job of pretending to be a film you just feel like you're watching a really bad film. That's particularly true when it comes to the ending - without spoiling anything, let's just say you're left thinking, "You mean I kick-started all those generators forthat?"

All the same, there's a weekend's worth of fun here for action-adventure fans who aren't too bothered about innovative concepts and varied gameplay, and don't mind a lot of repetition. Alan Wake is an accessible, undemanding game with a neat combat mechanic and decent visuals. It's just not a very original game, it's certainly not an exceptional one, and it's a shame it wasn't ready a few years ago.

Source: http://www.eurogamer...e-review?page=4

IGN

IGN 9.0

http://xbox360.ign.c.../1087706p1.html

9.0 Presentation

Television-style episodic structure works well with the nature of the story and action. Quality of writing is uneven.

9.0 Graphics

Stellar lighting effect and environmental design foster an atmosphere of authenticity to make the scares and thrills more affecting.

9.0 Sound

While voices sometimes overlap and not all acting is of the same quality, the soundtrack and effects have a significant effect on the game's powerful mood.

9.0 Gameplay

Interesting storytelling mechanics and a fast and responsive combat system to keep play entertaining. The infrequent jumping sections feel underdeveloped.

7.0 Lasting Appeal

It's not a long game. If you like, play through on Nightmare to get a few more details and to get a better sense of the combat.

9.0

Outstanding OVERALL

(out of 10)

1UP

But as annoyed with the ending and the, "but wait, what was the deal with..." aspect of the story, Alan Wake has a host of little things that just make me smile. Whoever picked and licensed the music deserves a commendation, as the song choices for episode endings and key moments is spot-on (I never thought I'd see a horror game expertly trot out "Coconut," Roy Orbison, Nick Cave, Poe, and freakin' David Bowie like this one). On occasion, Alan will find a TV and be able to watch a one-to-two minute episode of "Night Springs," a delightful little Twilight Zoneanalogue that, even though I should be running through a coal mine or a logging camp or a power plant, utterly transfixes me. I crack up when another character uses author names as insults or when your best friend describes his headlamp as analogous to a "flaming eye of Mordor." And I definitely had the biggest, dopiest grin on my face when I encountered the best use of heavy metal in a videogame not called Brutal Legend.

If anything, Alan Wake reminds me of the first Uncharted. It is a great, but flawed work (hello ugly daylight, quirky animations, and a script that mocks the viewer even more than Lost or Twin Peaks) that lays the foundation for what could be an absolutely amazing follow-up. I just hope it doesn't take another five or six years.

Source: http://www.1up.com/d...cId=3179131&p=4

Gametrailers Video Review - 8.6

Grand Master

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I also find the heavy character narration fairly annoying. I prefer showing you or exposing you to the story through dialogue/you exploring.

So Audio, I take you did not know this game is made by the creators of Max Payne ;)

Grand Master

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So Audio, I take you did not know this game is made by the creators of Max Payne ;)

Yeah I do, but because it works in Max Payne doesn't mean I think it works in this game. I like feeling helpless in a horror title, where as this game so far leads you by the hand telling you absolutely everything you need to do by Alan talking in his head.

I just set my sights too much on a SH beater, and while the atmosphere is good it's not my type of horror. As I said above I prefer things more Cliver Barker esque, but maybe I'm just a twisted ****** when it comes to this genre medium laugh.gif As in I really like all the sexually disfigured work in the earlier SH titles.

Well it's much better than SH5, but that games a pile of horse dung. I'm definitely playing it out to the end, but it's a little disheartening to hear most reviews bash the ending.

Grand Master

George P Global Moderator

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To others the mess that has become SH is super cheesy I'm sure. I'm going in for the deep story driven aspect and not gore.

Joystiq review And they like it.

The whole episode thing was a given, they've said weeks ago that this thing will have more episodes as DLC and that it's not just a one-off game as far as the story goes. So if the ending leaves you with too many questions or something then you'll just have to wait for the next installment. On the flip-side, people who want everything answered are looking in the wrong place. phsycological horror doesn't even try to answer most things.

Grand Master

Spookie

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Yeah I do, but because it works in Max Payne doesn't mean I think it works in this game. I like feeling helpless in a horror title, where as this game so far leads you by the hand telling you absolutely everything you need to do by Alan talking in his head.

Aye it's a tad distracting there are some points which racket up the tension then the narration breaks it for example the bit in the visitors centre:

An axe in the circuit breaker then screams. My reaction was: "well sorry I'm not going back there **** that!" then Alan destroyed it by pointing out the obvious.

So far I'm up to episode 2 (the game is structured in a unique TV-esq fashion). It. Should. Not. Be. Rushed. I can't make that clear enough. The atmosphere is in more than just the intimidate surroundings. It's in the manuscripts, Twilight Zone parody on TV, the banter on the radio, the slightly cooky residents of the town who seem just a tad bit too fruity. As people have already said the voice acting, like Max Payne is second to none. But the lip sync is a bit rubbery and facial textures very low res. Talking of textures, while the environments look awesome a lot of the character models look very 1st wave 360 game. It also has a few more features from older games as a very liner route through the game. But it doesn't detract too much from the game but will **** some off.

I like the knowing nods to Max Payne and how it, almost, gives Sams opinion on Max Payne 3. ;)

Grand Master

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Since it plays out like a book come to life anyone who's read up on it should expect the linear nature of it. But then what horror game isn't?

At one point it wasn't going to be linear

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.

But that was when it was coming out for the PC :p On that note ShopTo are still taking pre-orders for the PC version due out next month :laugh:

However, yes I agree in a horror game linearity is usually required to some degree, but this game is basically like FF13, not even much false exploration added (like the SH titles). So far anyway, like Spookie I'm working through Chapter 2 just now. I echo his thoughts, the game definitely shouldn't be rushed or you'll burn through it like the reviews say, and I already said some of the other things he said about the graphics/screen tearing.

Grand Master

Hedon

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Not enjoying the start to the game all that much

but the game so far has been really cheesy

and the shooting mechanics I'm unsure of.
Facial animations and lip syncing are pretty bad as well
and the jump to cutscenes is quite noticeable
but it's a little disheartening to hear most reviews bash the ending.

Why am I not surprised by his review. I wouldn't be any more suprised if I woke up tomorrow morning with my head sewn to the carpet laugh.giflaugh.gif

Anyway, here are some real reviews:

Joystiq

Apart from the Taken, Bright Falls is also littered with several less deadly distractions. Exploration is almost always rewarded with manuscript pages, a television or a radio. The radio programs offer extra background on the story, while the televisions sport episodes of a fictional, live-action TV show. It's called Night Springs, an Outer Limits / Twilight Zone amalgam about -- if you can believe it -- a creepy town packed with paranormal activity. Even with the world falling down around Alan's ears, I couldn't help but stop to watch every episode I encountered.

Ultimately, Alan Wake is driven -- as is any good story -- by the impulse to see what happens next. It offers up a believable world, characters worth caring about, enjoyable combat and a narrative I wanted to follow. Just remember what Stephen King said about explanations, because you won't see all of your questions answered by the time Alan Wake comes to a close. That said, know you will be left wanting more.

GamingTrend

Alan Wake is definitely art, and is well written enough to keep my wife and I on the edge of our seats from beginning to end. If I can admit something, and give Alan Wake the biggest compliment I can bestow, I?d tell you that I had a nightmare about the game the night after I completed it. No horror game has ever managed that feat or even come close. It may have taken them five years to kick it out of the door, but Remedy has created a masterpiece.

PlanetXbox

The town of Bright Falls plays home to this chapter in the story and it?s pulled off beautifully; overall creating an in-game environment that is just as fun to explore as it is to speed through on your way to the final mission. Many times the ended of a game like this doesn?t feel good, this time however we can say that it?s one of those few titles worth finishing. Alan Wake?s release hit home and came at the perfect time for us; hitting the nail on the head as far as what types of games we enjoy playing. More than once it reminded us why we love our job, and what exactly the reasons are that make playing video games fun. More than once Alan Wake reminded us of books, movies, and TV shows that we love and spend hours with every week; it helped merge the video game experience with those other memorable moments. For once a video game was able to show exactly what it means to create something that brings emotion to the gamer; on top of that Alan Wake was just damn fun to play. There are a lot of strong titles hitting the game retailers this year, however, the Xbox 360 exclusive that is the frightening Alan Wake is one that should not be missed (releasing on May 18, 2010).

GameTrailers

Alan Wake certainly paints a believable picture. Were it not for the fact that you know precisely what happens when the sun goes down, Bright Falls looks like the kind of place you'd want to go to get away from it all. There isn't a fraction of the place that feels like a game level; even when it's at its most game-like, it completely sells you on the realness of its environments. Not surprisingly, the game makes expert use of lighting to put you in some truly frightening places. When the wind picks up and the dark presence starts to whip up the shadows, you start to see the damnedest things crawling out of the corner of your eye.

The audio contributes to the mood in a big way. When the darkness begins to roil, all sorts of disembodied sounds will alarm and unnerve you, and when the combat starts in earnest, the whooshes of flying hatchets and whirs of chainsaws will add to the feeling of impending dread. Alan Wake's presentation fires on all cylinders, selling you completely on its twisted nightmare.

Alan Wake paints a vivid nightmare that you won't soon forget. It's the freshest take on the horror game in a long time, and every moment feels like it was painstakingly scripted. There isn't much fluff here. That said, the game is lacking in the frills that we've come to expect from a triple-A release. If you're fine with paying full price for a finely-crafted single-player experience, then you won't regret your jaunt to Bright Falls.

Grand Master

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He is right on all his points and most decent reviews should have pointed them out. Some serious screen tearing too.

Let the children play in their playpens, for if the door is locked ye shall not need to see/hear them.

Getting a bit more into it in Chapter 2, I'm going to try complete the whole game today. As for the screen tearing, as I said on the previous page bump your dashboard down to 720p and it should not be as bad.

Grand Master

fusi0n

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Let the children play in their playpens, for if the door is locked ye shall not need to see/hear them.

Getting a bit more into it in Chapter 2, I'm going to try complete the whole game today. As for the screen tearing, as I said on the previous page bump your dashboard down to 720p and it should not be as bad.

Looks like you found it ;) haha gj

Grand Master

neoadorable

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The Eurogamer review reads like Sony's in house Ben Croshaw wrote it, meanwhile at Xbox HQ, i mean IGN, Wake gets a 9 with no mention of any flaw. How about the fact that it's a PG-13 number? that's a big problem, this should have been an M. Good thing i'm buying this anyway, these reviews are now nothing more than a curiosity, they're fun to read but have no value as advice.

And while Eurogamer are by far the better gamers and better writers, they lost me when using Bioshock as some scion of legendary storytelling. Really? Rip off Ayn Rand, silent protagonist, run from one side of the map to the other to pull a lever, fight the same endless "we thought we could hide from you down here in murk" splicers, health packs all over the place, end with an electric He-Man and a big explosion Bioshock? That's the counter point? i don't think so.

But Wake can't "pay tribute" to Twin Peaks, the Dead Zone and The Shining, it's weird that he can't jump high and he's not allowed to quip about birds. Hmmm.

He did fail in keeping his own release date, though, will be picking him up tomorrow so time will tell how good this dude is. I'm sure it's a decent enough product, i'd say 7 or 8 sounds about right.

Grand Master

George P Global Moderator

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I agree that reviews don't mean much anymore. I know quite a few games that got a 7 that I enjoyed alot. This is now at the level of movie reviews, they mean jack. Not everyone thinks the same way about a story or element of gameplay. Demos have been the best type of "review" you could ever ask for.

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