Review: Alan Wake

My name is Dynamite Jack. I'm a gamer.

You may notice that my review of Alan Wake is arriving a little later than it should be. There's a good reason for that -- I've been busy playing through Alan Wake again because I like it so much. Honestly, as I'm typing this I WANT to be playing Alan Wake instead of sitting at my computer. It's really that good.

It would save us both time if I could just summarize this review into three words: GO BUY IT!

However, if you still need convincing then I'm prepared to stay here as long as it takes to get you to play Alan Wake.

As always, this is a Spoiler-Free review

The box cover of Alan Wake says that it's a "Psychological Thriller" and that's entirely accurate. Even after I have finished the game three times I still have parts of the story on my mind. If I had to describe it to a gamer I would say it's a game about mystery and exploration with heavy action elements. I don't really consider it a survival horror game, although that description sometimes fits, because the dangers are much more cerebral than typical zombies and demon dogs.

Really, it doesn't matter though because whatever you call it Alan Wake it's a masterpiece.

This is the kind of game I have always wanted. It perfectly blends so many elements from pop-culture and gaming that it actually becomes something fresh and unique itself.

Tell Me A Story

I won't say anything about the story of Alan Wake other than to tell you it's exceptional and it's the strongest part of the game. The less you know going in the better. Every character you meet is memorable and you'll likely want to play it again to absorb everything fully. Overall it rivals Uncharted 2 when it comes to pacing, immersive locations, voice acting, and characters that you actually care about.

The game is presented like a TV show and divided into "Episodes" rather than levels. Each episode is around the length of a television show or a movie, but that length will be longer if you want to explore and collect things. Remedy did a great job beginning and ending the episodes and I was always left wanting to know what was going to happen next.

By the way, this is the perfect game to play while your wife or girlfriend watches. It's scary but not gruesome and the game is just as fun to watch as it is to play.

I'm Just Playing Games

The core gameplay is simple - shine your flashlight on enemies and then shoot them. It somehow manages to never get old and remains fun all the way until the end. There are other elements of gameplay of course like driving, puzzle solving, etc. that break up the action but typically it's just you with a light and a gun. Be prepared to sweat though as there are many tense moments when you are just hoping to reach the next safe haven.

I'm fighting the urge to gush over Alan Wake because I really want you to experience it fresh and without too much information. I was fortunate enough to block out the pre-release media so most of the game was new to me.

Alan Wake says "Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires"

Sounds Good To Me

The music and sound design play a major role in building tension and providing relief in Alan Wake. I was actually surprised to hear so many licensed songs by established artists appear throughout the game. It helps to give the impression that you're watching a big budget television show. Prior to this game I'd never heard of Poets of the Fall before but they're one of my favorite bands right now.

You're not going to find better voice acting anywhere either. Every voice is matched up perfectly with the character they play and the little extra bits of dialogue help make this unrealistic scenario seem realistic.

This Is The Part I Hate Doing

So what didn't I like? Well, some of the episodes are longer than they need to be. I think Remedy could take this exact same game and divide it into eight or ten episodes rather than six and make it a more digestible experience. That's just my opinion.

Gameplay wise, occasionally an enemy will attack you from behind or from the side before you notice them. It's rare and I don't think I ever died because of it. Truthfully, any complaints I have seem like petty nitpicking in the grand scheme of things.

The Collector's Edition Is Awesome

Initially I got the regular edition of Alan Wake and I thought I'd be fine with that. Then, after finishing the game, I spent a week kicking myself for not getting the Limited Collector's Edition on release day. I eventually succumbed and bought it and I'm really glad I did because it comes with some much cool stuff. There's a bonus DVD with documentaries, a hardcover book that explores the story even more, and a soundtrack CD. This is one of the best collector's editions I've picked up and well worth the extra money. Here's an unboxing I filmed if you want to see what's inside in more detail. If you're at all interested then I suggest you go for it.

Also, be sure to watch the Bright Falls prequel mini-series on YouTube or on Xbox Live. It introduces the town of Bright Falls and some of the characters you'll encounter  in Alan Wake.

My Final Thoughts

Games like Alan Wake are the reason I still play video games as an adult. It's a masterfully told story in an immersive world that you'll remember for years. It's a Game of the Year contender. Do not miss it.

Review Score: 9.5 out of 10

I played through Alan Wake three freakin' times for this review. Twice on normal and once on nightmare difficulty. I've watched the Bonus DVD, read the book, and saw the Bright Falls episodes.

I'm now searching for my lost wife in the woods with a flashlight. My manager Barry is staring at the calendar on the wall waiting for the July 27th DLC to arrive. I'm beginning to think we might have a problem . . .

Buy Alan Wake at Amazon