"Alan Wake's American Nightmare" & Alan Wake PC (Alan Wake Thread)

[Agent York]

Another Alan Wake Video from the Korean Event, still slight spoilers though a bit early on in the game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0OzaqSATL4&feature=channel

Also, a map of the fictional city, Bright Falls (put in spoiler tags because it's large and maybe some don't want to see a geographical map?)

[Agent York]

http://www.brightfalls.com is now up, the webisodes are worth another watch here since they have some interactivity in them, and check out the extras on Alan Wake.

For those who can't view the Bright Falls Radio Station, here be the songs on the station (in alphabetical order):

"Black Night" by Charles Brown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSx9V4ftX8k

"Haunted" by Poe:

"How Can I Be Sure" by Anomie Belle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxqDUAjAp6Y

"In Dreams" by Roy Orbison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp-WCVWlCDc

"Shady Grove" by Among The Oak And Ash:

"Space Cadet" by David Bowie:

"Up Jumped The Devil" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds:

"Young Men Dead" by The Black Angels:

[Candescence]

So... This is the 360's answer to Heavy Rain, except it has actual gameplay as opposed to simply being a Visual Novel with QTEs? SOLD.

Okay, that's certainly not the only reason this game sounds very appealing to me, but still.

Edited April 28, 2010 by Masaru Daimon

[Agent York]

Alan Wake Impressions have been coming out like crazy. Here's a few:

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-13269-Gaming-Lifestyle-Examiner~y2010m4d27-Alan-Wake-first-episode-handson

http://www.justpushstart.com/2010/04/27/alan-wake-the-dark-vs-light-hands-on-impression/

http://www.thegamevine.com/articles/19-editorials/913-tgv-gets-handsy-with-alan-wake.html

http://palgn.com.au/xbox-360/16313/alan-wake-preview/

http://g4tv.com/videos/45608/Alan-Wake-Hands-On-Preview/

And a few from Twitter Feeds:

I'm just going to post impressions from Alan Wake in this topic from now on from feeds and such.

-If night one is an indicator I'm going to need a chill down after Alan Wake sessions before trying to lie down and sleep. Intense

-I don't think I'm breaking embargo when I say that Alan Wake features the best instance of namedropping Dan Brown in a game to date.

-Taking a break from playing Alan Wake's third episode. Time to get some sleep! So far, around 6 hours are in!

-12 hours straight of Alan Wake. Not my genre but I dont think that matters much

(THE FOLLOWING IS ALL FROM THE SAME USER)

-Just finished the first Episode of Alan Wake. Holy **** this is good.

-The use of music so far has been the biggest surprise: great soundtrack.

-We're allowed to preview the first episode of the game, so I hope to have a writeup for you guys tomorrow.

-(The concept) sounded cheesy when it was described to me, but in practice it works great.

-Just heard a Poe song, as well as Nick Cave on the Alan Wake soundtrack. Bliss.

-Way too early for talk like that, but the first Episode is very, very good.

[Dobkeratops]

I was going to get this on the PC until Microsoft made them stop working on that version, so now I'll have to either wait for them to resume work if (when) the timed exclusivity ends or until I get a 360 which might not be until 2011/12.

Although I'm entertaining the thought of borrowing the console from a friend and beating the game in a couple days, since it's rather likely some asshole will post spoilers sooner than later and will ruin the story if I wait too much ):

So... This is the 360's answer to (Konami shitting on) Silent Hill

Fix'd.

Also you sound bitter at Heavy Rain, you should get that looked mister.

[Agent York]

Another two previews ahoy!

http://worthplaying.com/article/2010/4/28/previews/73926/

http://www.dailygame.net/news/archives/009155.php

And a french preview site also shows off new things off about the game here. Not really spoilers, just new scenes and music:

http://www.xboxfrance.com/selection/alanwake/?utm_source=fnac&utm_medium=banniere&utm_campaign=alanwake&bl=HGJEban1

[Patticus]

These are all from GAF...

In fact, I can honestly say that even just working through the game's first episode, I jumped and startled more than I have in any game since Condemned: Criminal Origins.

http://www.dailygame.net/news/archives/009155.php

If night one is an indicator I'm going to need a chill down after Alan Wake sessions before trying to lie down and sleep. Intense

If night one is an indicator I'm going to need a chill down after Alan Wake sessions before trying to lie down and sleep. Intense

— GarnettLee (@GarnettLee)

April 28, 2010

Alan Wake is an amazing game. Possibly the best sense of atmosphere on the Xbox 360.

Alan Wake is an amazing game. Possibly the best sense of atmosphere on the Xbox 360.

— Jonathan Migneault (@jmigneault)

April 27, 2010

Just finished the first Episode of Alan Wake. Holy shit this is good.

Just finished the first Episode of Alan Wake. Holy shit this is good.

— Ben Kuchera (@BenKuchera)

April 28, 2010

I hit an area on Alan Wake that pushes the 360 graphically more than I have ever seen. ****ing impressive

http://twitter.com/ronworkman/status/12996631460'>http://twitter.com/ronworkman/status/12996631460

It looks like I am the first person in the world to beat the retail build of Alan Wake. Woo Woo! On normal 12 - 18 hours long.

http://twitter.com/ronworkman

It sounds absolutely fantastic. There's nothing out this summer on the PS360 that can really compare to this or Red Dead Redemption. 'Sgonna be a good summer.

[Agent York]

Collectibles Detailed: http://relyonhorror.com/content/alan-wake-collectibles-detailed

Alan Wake is creeping closer and closer to release, and impressions all around have been nothing but praise for the game. All of the big site and some very obscure ones seem to be getting their review copies, but not able to post details of the game past episode 1 until May 5th. Well with so many people with the game now, I decided to do some prodding. Surprisingly, I learned a lot more than I thought I would. All I learned about can be found out in the first chapter of the game,so no extreme spoilers, though if you don't want to know even that don't continue.

I learned several things, and will be detailing one of the most interesting details I learned, all about the collectibles and and extras in the game. As was revealed in the achievements for Alan Wake, there are several types of collectibles. However, I got a few more juicy details on them, including number of, availability, and some trivia. Each collectible obtained is added to a gallery of sorts. In the gallery you can look at ,interact with, watch, read, and listen to everything you have obtained, and it carries on through different playthroughs on the same file.

The first collectible is Manuscript pages, which there are 106 of total in the game. You can read them and they all form together to make a book. In gameplay, reading the Manuscript pages show what fore coming events are going to take place. Some of them talk about story specific instances, other ones are hints of what's going to happen in the far future, others yet just give insight to what is happening to the survivors of Bright Falls around you. However, and what adds a bit of interest, is collecting some Manuscript Pages will trigger certain events and ambushes to happen, others will give details of a secret you can find. These are the most common collectible, some are out in plain site, others a little exploring is needed. However, you can't collect all of them in one playthrough; several of the Manuscript pages can only be found in Nightmare Difficulty which must be unlocked.

The second collectible is Coffee Thermoses, which there are 100 of total. These are more uncommon than Manuscript pages, and unfortunately what they exactly do weren't detailed to me, but these are more well hidden than Manuscript pages and collecting them does do something. Since their only allowed to talk about the first episode, you could conclude that what they do is evident later on or maybe collecting a certain number of them unlocks stuff?

The last collectible in the normal sense of the term is Hidden Chests, which there are 30 of in the game. These are the rarest collectible and as the title suggests, the are all hidden pretty well. What's inside a Hidden Chest? Well that would be telling, wouldn't it?

Besides that though, there are three other unique "Collectibles" in the game, which also get added to your gallery; Radio Shows to listen too, TV Shows to watch, and Signs to read. Radio Shows can be tuned into from radios obviously around Bright Falls. Turning them on can pt on the news, music, a radio play, and several other things, all of which you can listen to again in your gallery. Television shows were less detailed to me, but I do know there's a talk show with Alan Wake on television along with a full episode of a Twilight Zone knock-off, among many other things. Obviously watching TV's will trigger these and yes, you can watch them again in your gallery. Finally, signs you read also get added so you can look at them again.

Besides all of that, the game also keeps tracks of how many enemies and enemy types you have killed, but more than that, it also details on how you killed them. Also it follows what and how many items you have obtained. Alan really does keep a detailed diary.

Alan Wake is a linear game but where it was originally a sandbox shows. Some of the environments are huge, explorable, and though you're starting and ending from the same places, how you get there is up to you. One other detail I was able to poke out was that towards the end of the game Alan has one of the most graphically stunning environments in a game to date on the 360 that really pushes the 360's power. Alan Wake comes out May 14th in Europe, May 18th in America, May 20th in Australia, and May 28th in Japan.

[Agent York]

New Alan Wake Trailer (No Spoilers):

[Agent York]

All New bought copies of Alan Wake will include a DLC Token for the first piece of DLC for Free:

http://www.planetxbox360.com/article_10422/First_Add-On_for_Alan_Wake_is_Free_to_Those_Who_Buy_it_New

Download two of the games music tracks (website rip) here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4CUC49VH

A "Pre"-Review of the first 3 Chapters Calls Alan Wake the best Horror Game of this Generation:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=21022163&postcount=3394

German gaming magazine M! has a six page preview of the game in it's 200th issue. They call it "pre review". Basically they talk about the first three chapters of the game while not giving too much details about the story. The important part is that they already call the game the best horror game of this generation which is a big thing for the magazine because they don't usually do that. Actually over the last year only five games or so received reviews with 90% or higher.

According to M! Alan Wake combines the best elements of Silent Hill and Alone in the Dark and adds the atmosphere of Stephen King to tell a compelling and really well executed story.

They call the graphics phenomenal and among the best on current generation consoles. They also mention uncanny valley (some animations look strange), slowdowns and tearing (VERY rare).

The full review is going to be featured in the next issue.

Video of the Technology Used in Alan Wake and Environments/Weather:

http://www.gamepro.de/index.cfm?pid=386&pk=2328

A few more impressions, will just post Twitter ones:

First Impressions: Alan Wake is beautiful and hard to put down. The voice acting is some of the best I've ever heard in a game.

The cat rubbed past my leg, and I screamed a little. Alan Wake in the dead of night with headphones is intense.

It's official: I adore Alan Wake... but bk of the embargo that can only refer to the first episode. (W-I-N-K)

Really enjoying the opening to Alan Wake. Great job @remedyalerts Can't wait to see where this story takes me.

Just beat Alan Wake. Mind.... Blown need five days to process what I just experienced.

Alan Wake will blow everybody's minds

Cool Easter Egg found in Alan Wake:

[Agent York]

I was holding back posting more (very positive) impressions, but now the second review score is here!

@remedyalerts just finished writing the reveiw of #alanwake for May 5th. Stay tuned for it and the first ten minutes of the game. A+....

— Just Push Start (@justpushstart)

May 1, 2010

Well sorta', he reveals the score he's giving but since the embargo can't post the review until May 5th.

So the two reviews so far..

94/100- Hobby Magazine (Brazil)

A+ (100/100)- JustPressStart.com

[Detective Shadzter]

Definitely going to pick this up at some point, looks amazing and thanks for the updates Dusk By the way what's with all of the double posting? Thought we didn't allow that here unless a topic dropped down say weeks or months from the last post and the new post was absolutely relevant? Not that these posts aren't releveant but they're only like a day apart Not back-seat modding, just saying is all.

[Agent York]

REVIEWS INCOMING~

Review Barricade coming in T-Minus 7 Hours

95/100- http://gamingtrend.com/Reviews/review/review.php?ReviewID=1434

Round-up so far:

JustPushStart.com- A+ (100/00)

Gaming Trend- 95/100

Hoby Magazine- 93/100

GamePro German Magazine- 87/100

NZGamer- 85/100

EuroGamer- 7/10

Stream of the game *MAJOR SPOILERS* can be found here: www.justin.tv/failgaming

[Remy]

Definitely going to pick this up at some point, looks amazing and thanks for the updates Dusk    By the way what's with all of the double posting? Thought we didn't allow that here unless a topic dropped down say weeks or months from the last post and the new post was absolutely relevant? Not that these posts aren't releveant but they're only like a day apart Not back-seat modding, just saying is all.

Double posts are fine as long as they add new content to the topic. It's awful no one is talking about alan wake, so it's all cool if dusk keepsa postin postin

[Agent York]

Official reviews are out in a little more than an hour, but got a buttload of non-spoiler impressions from the average joe.

tllt says: I've been playing for the last 45min/1hr. So far I must say that I am impressed. The game seems like the 360's answer to Heavy Rain, but with action elements thrown in. (heavy rain + silent hill = alan wake?) So far the story seems pretty damn cool, although the whole light/dark thing is sorta weird.. hopefully later it'll make more sense. The one thing that I sorta have issues with are the cutscenes. They don't seem to match up with the gameplay. They are way too dark. i'm totally digging it so far.. i thought this game was going to be overrated, but it seems like it's everything they said it would be.

Chaos2Black says: So far it's great. I don't really see the Heavy Rain similarities. (But I found that game overrated anyway) So far it's what I expected. A perfected Alone in the Dark 5 with Twin Peakes Feel with it's own charme added on top of it.

WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY ****ING EXTREM GODDAMIT GIANTLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Namtox says: Great game so far. Really good tension, amazing music, nice beefy sounds and feedback for the weapons as well. Nice little touches of bullet time. Any fan of Max Payne will dig the self narration and the metaphors. Great stuff all around.

ibrahim.hyder says: The self narration is great and this game feels like a real finished game as opposed to other lacking games.

Bacon says: Probably one of the best xbox 360 games I have ever played. This game looks amazing imo. The rock solid framerate is also a plus, game is as smooth as butter.

ebrehe says: Finished the first chapter. Best game I've played. I'm totally impressed...

Ragona says: first chapter sure was damn intense...

Gregd888 says: I just got done with the first chapter, this game is really unique and creative. I thought it was gonna be overrated but it might be one of the best games I've ever played.

It feels more like you're controlling a character in a movie rather than controlling a character in the video game, the atmosphere is cool as ****. It feels kinda like that movie secret window with johnny depp.

theguy78 says: One of the best games I've ever played. also my opinion...i'm only in the 2nd chapter crossing the river,but very impressive,in many ways...

like some people say here:it looks like a real finished game.sometimes games that are too long in development look and feel outdated in the end but this one rocks!!

i think it's not a game that should be compared to heavy rain,it's too different,maybe much better... ;-)

kornetic (replying to Gregd888) says: tottally agreed with u m8...i'm on the second chapter and i'm really lovin it...the story even mentions jack nicholson in the shinning lol...and it really has that thriller feeling into it

Heisenberg says: Just made it to the cabin. All I can say so far is graphics = 11/10 simply breathtaking.

As for controls/gameplay/engine I need more time to judge........

Also, She put da lime in de coconut..........

That is all

greatluffy says: not so good game, id say 6/10 or 7/10

bad textures, bad animations and lip sync, bad gameplay mechanic, ONLY THE FOREST all over the game

not lived up to hype

LbC Ya562 says: Been plaayin for over an hour (tryin to get to lovers peak lol) I think its a dope story so far.... one my girlfriend probably wont mind watchin me play lol graphics r pretty too... I dont even got a HD tv or nothin and can tell how good the graphics are.

unmonstro says: Its like playing through a movie. The game seem short and I'm not sure there is going to be a lot of replay value. Graphics are very good and it has very high production value and things like the night falls episodes on the tv are great. They are reminiscent of the Twilight Zone but I love the Twilight zone so I really like the episodes. I did see a lip sync issue but it was very brief and at the beginning of the game. Its no biggie. The short story and low replay value could hurt its sales in my opinion. Prince of Persia, Skate 3, UFC, Lost Planet, Alpha Protocol, and the monster Red Dead Redemption are all out during this month (alpha protocol on June 1st) and thats a lot of competition, I think all these games will suffer a little in sales as a result. I see it receiving mostly 9/10, 86%-92% perhaps. I'm not typically a fan of these games, I kind of hate them but I'm enjoying this a great deal. I'm only in Episode 3 so I hope things just get better.

Tw1st3dSS says: wow just beat the first chapter and must say wow the game has me hooked the atmosphere graphics and audio through my 5.1 even the little tv shows etc... and the way it wraps, heck even the music fits perfect after the chapter is done on to chapter to but must say im loving what ive played so far

skylined8300 says: Interesting game so far, graphics though have something to be desired. The motion blur and the characters mouths when talking bother me. I know a bit nit picky but all i have heard is about the graphics will blow you away and i havent seen it.

Reviews Coming in 1-2 Hours

Edited May 5, 2010 by Dusk the Alan Wake Keeper

[Agent York]

Ton of Reviews Ahoy! More to Come!

Going to be keeping track, read the reviews for scores.

IGN US Review: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/108/1087706p1.html

IGN AUS Review: http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/108/1087828p2.html

Game Trailers Review: http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-alan-wake/65249

Xbox360 Achievement Review: http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/alan-wake/review/

Just Push Start Review: http://www.justpushstart.com/2010/05/05/alan-wake-review/

Games Reactor Review: http://www.gamereactor.se/recensioner/22243/Alan+Wake/

Games Reactor German Review: http://www.gamereactor.fi/arviot/76520/Alan+Wake/

Giant Bomb Review: http://www.giantbomb.com/alan-wake/61-20982/reviews/

Destructoid Review: http://www.destructoid.com/review-alan-wake-172808.phtml

MetriStation Review: http://www.meristation.com/v3/des_analisis.php?id=cw4bdad4db07af5&pic=360&idj=cw428b9666581b2&idp=#

Co-Optimus Review: http://www.co-optimus.com/article/3878/alan-wake-the-review.html

Computer and Videogames Review: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=245293

1-Up Review: http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3179131

Video Gamer Review: http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/alan_wake/review.html

iTwire Review: http://www.itwire.com/reviews/entertainment/38807

EuroGamer Review: http://www.timeanddate.com/library/abbreviations/timezones/eu/bst.html

EuroGamer Spain Review: http://www.eurogamer.es/articles/alan-wake-analisis

411 Mania Review: http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/137949

Tudo Juegos Review: http://www.todojuegos.com/articulo-996/Alan-Wake

Game Arena Review: http://www.gamearena.com.au/xbox360/games/title/alan-wake/reviews.php/alan-wake

Planet360 Review: http://www.planetxbox360.com/article_10462/Alan_Wake_-_Review

Game Planet Review: http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/xbox/games/152016.Alan-Wake/reviews/134843.Alan-Wake/

Koaliton Review: http://www.thekoalition.com/alan-wake-review/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Jeff Talks Games Review: http://jefftalksgames.blogspot.com/2010/05/wake-up-alan-alan-wake-review.html

G4 Review: http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/30835/alan-wake/review/

File Front Review: http://news.filefront.com/alan-wake-review/

CinemaBlend Review: http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Review-Alan-Wake-24407.html

DeZireWeb Review: http://dezireweb.info/tech/2010/05/04/alan-wake-review-%C2%AB-loudmouthedgamers/

XXL Gaming Review: http://www.xxlgaming.com/staffreview.asp?gameID=520

Ars Technia Review: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/reviews/2010/05/a-carefully-designed-madness-ars-reviews-alan-wake.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

Joystiq Review: http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/05/review-alan-wake/

Now Gamer Review: http://xbox-360.nowgamer.com/reviews/xbox-360/9171/alan-wake?o=2#listing

New Gadgets Review: http://newgadgets.66ghz.com/alan-wake-review/

Chud Review: http://chud.com/articles/articles/23622/1/MCP-REVIEW-ALAN-WAKE/Page1.html

Examiner Review: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-13269-Gaming-Lifestyle-Examiner~y2010m5d5-Alan-Wake-review

Game Kult Review: http://www.gamekult.com/tout/jeux/fiches/J000074718_test.html

GameZone.de Review: http://www.gamezone.de/reviews_detail.asp?gameid=27005&spn=4

AeroPause Review: http://www.aeropause.com/2010/05/review-alan-wake-xbox-360/

Gadriel Review: http://www.gladriel.com/reviewFull/content/1281/

Kotaku Review: http://kotaku.com/5527633/alan-wake-review-transcending-its-medium

More to come~

Edited May 5, 2010 by Dusk the Alan Wake Keeper

[Agent York]

Hey kids! Did you wake up this morning with the high hopes that you could watch a walkthrough of Alan Wake and completely spoil the fuck out of yourself? Well NOW YOU CAN! Watch this guys videos for a playthrough, not watching myself for all the spoiler peoples. Start here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpHf_iHyU2g

Anyways, here comes a summery of reviews.

A little "Ehhh" since Meta Critic itself isn't perfectly reflecting the scores, it's like their adding all the 8's from some obscure sources and skipping on a TON of 9s... Ah well. The current real average.

Also, most of the written non-scored reviews are positive, for example, this Kotaku review:

http://kotaku.com/5527633/alan-wake-review-transcending-its-medium

Round-Up from Remedy's Score Board Topic:

1UP - B+

411mania - 9.1/10

Aeropause - 4.5/5

ArsTechnica - N/A

C&VG - 9/10

Chud - 7.5/10

CinemaBlend - 4/5

Co-Optimus - 5/5

Destructoid - 9/10

Eurogamer - 7/10

Eurogamer DE - 9/10

Eurogamer ES - 8/10

Eurogamer NET - 7/10

Evil Avatar - 4/5

Examiner.com - N/A

FileFront - 91/100

G4TV - 4/5

GameArena.com.au - 8/10

GameAxis Online - N/A

GameBlog.fr - 5/5

GameKult (French) 8/10

GamePro - 4/5

Games Radar 8/10

GameReactor.fi - 9/10

GameReactor.se - 7/10

Game Trailers - 8.6/10

Giant Bomb - 4/5

Gladriel - 9/10

Hardgame2 - 10/10

IGN - 9/10

IGN AU - 8.5/10

IGN UK - 8/10

incgamers: 9.1/10

iTWire - 10/10

Jeff Parumchuk - N/A

Joystiq - N/A

Just Push Start - 4.5/5

Loud Mouthed Gamers - 9/10

Meristation - 9/10

NowGamer - 6.8/10

NZGamer.com - 8.5/10

Pelit (Magazine) - 87%

PerezStart - 9/10

PlanetXbox360 - 9.2/10

Plaza FI - 10/10

Techland- 9/10

TheKoalition - 9/10

Todojuegos.com - 9.5/10

Vandal Online - 9/10

VideoGamer.com - 9/10

Worthplaying - 9.0/10

Xbox-Mag.net - 18/20

XboxAddict - 9.3/10

Xbox360Achievements.com - 92%

XXLGaming - 95/100

Average: 87.34%

Edited May 5, 2010 by Dusk the Alan Wake Keeper

[Agent York]

WARNING: THE ENDING IS ON YOUTUBE. I REPEAT. THE ENDING IS ON YOUTUBE. Didn't watch it but several people have posted it, I am a lucky bugger. I keep on almost reading spoilers but then avert my eyes just in time.

Anyways, here's a detailed review break-down from labwarrior:

Here is a by score review list

Hardgame2 - 10/10

iTWire - 10/10

Co-Optimus - 5/5

GameBlog.fr - 5/5

Gaming Trend - 95/100

Todojuegos.com - 9.5/10

XXLGaming - 95/100

Gamer365(Hungarian) 9.5/10

Xbox Addict - 93/100

PlanetXbox360 - 9.2/10

Xbox360Achievements.com - 92% (Excellent)

411mania - 9.1/10

FileFront - 91/100

IncGamer - 9.1/10

Game Revolution - A-

C&VG - 9/10

Destructoid - 9/10

Eurogamer.de - 9/10

GameDaily - 9/10

GameReactor.fi - 9/10

Gladriel - 9/10 (Video Review)

Loud Mouthed Gamers - 9/10

Meristation - 9/10

SpazioGames.it - 9/10

Techland - 9/10

TheKoalition - 9/10

PerezStart - 9/10

Tilt.tv - 9/10

Vandal Online - 9/10

VideoGamer.com - 9/10

Worthplaying - 9/10

PCMag.com - 4.5/5

Xbox-mag.net - 18/20

IGN - 9/10 (IGN EDITORS' CHOICE AWARD WINNER) (Video Review)

OXM 9/10

Computer and Video Games 9/10

Todoxbox360 9/10

Capsulecomputers 9/10

Gamezone 9/10

Just Push Start - 4.5/5

Aeropause - 4.5/5

Pelit (Magazine) - 87%

Peliplaneetta - 86/100

Game Trailers - 8.6/10 - Watch Review

IGN AU - 8.5/10 (Great)

NZGamer.com - 8.5/10 (Great)

Gameinformer 8.5/10

3DJuegos - 8.5/10

IGN AU 8.5/10

Gameplanet 8.5/10

1UP - B+ (83/100)

CinemaBlend - 4/5

Evil Avatar - 4/5

GameKult (French) 8/10

GamePro - 4/5

Games Radar 8/10

Giant Bomb - 4/5

IGN UK - 8/10

OXM.co.uk - 8/10

G4TV - 4/5

GameArena.com.au - 8/10

Chud - 7.5/10

GameReactor.se - 7/10

NowGamer - 6.8/10

Eurogamer - 7/10

Jeff Parumchuk - N/A

So what else is there to say about the game, other than anyone out there should really head out and buy this game. It's a very solidly executed thriller that is only made better thanks to the presentation of the game

Joystiq - N/A

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

Kotaku - N/A

I am open to the potential of the year's games, but I still can't imagine that Alan Wake will be topped in 2010. It tells a story that is engaging, and yes, emotional. It makes you care, it delivers scares. But most importantly it redefines interactive storytelling

Examiner.com - N/A

It is a compliment to Alan Wake that--to paraphrase a movie critique cliche--many gamers will find themselves starting a new, harder playthrough the moment the credits finish rolling

Plaza.fi - N/A (Highly Recommended)

So, there is one below 7 review ( 6.8 ), two 7/10 ones and a 7.5/10, then 10 review 80/100, 10 scores 8.5+, and 26 AAA reviews, also 11 AAA+ scores and 4 AAAA ones

Edited May 6, 2010 by Dusk the Alan Wake Keeper

[Agent York]

A few songs from the game.

Opening & Scavenger Themes Ripped from Site by myself: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4CUC49VH

The Poet and the Muse Vocal Song from the game: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AFOJHWVS

Children of the Elder God Vocal Song from the game: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YEM0DC6L

Not much, just four songs (Opening Cutscene, Scavenger, The Poet and the Muse, and Children of the Elder God) from the Alan Wake soundtrack. Opening is the song used in many trailers, Scavenger is new, The Poet and the Muse and Children of the Elder God two vocal songs made exclusively for the game from Poets of the Fall. Just a small things for those who want some of this game's fantastic music. The reason why it's artist is known as Old Gods of Asgard is since in the game, that's the band that sings the song who are a take on the band Poets of the Fall as a real band playing a fictional one.

Opening and Scavenger ripped by myself from the website, The Poet and the Muse and Children of the Elder God from the soundtrack.

[Agent York]

Word on DLC

http://relyonhorror.com/content/alan-wake-first-second-episodic-dlc-detailed

The first DLC episode, "The Signal", will be released June 1st and will be free for all people who buy the game new (not used or rented).

The second DLC episode, "The Writer", release date is TBA, but will cost money.

[Agent York]

Bright Falls episode 3:

Bright Falls episode 4:

Europe Release in 3 More Days, Some Places coming even Earlier.

[Agent York]

Europe release date is tomorrow. Reminder to mark spoilers for others with spoiler tags (["spoiler"] without quotation marks).

...And even a day before this games release in the main region of this board there still is not much discussion. Whooo.

[Solid SOAP]

I find it really depressing that you're the only person making posts in this thread, this game looks brilliant and while I won't be able to pick it up immediately, I'll be sure to snag a copy over the summer. This looks pretty much like Resident Evil 5 should've been; actually legitimately scary and single player. The atmosphere looks awesome and the game in general looks pretty fun, it looks like something that would stick with me for a while after playing it, even if it didn't have much replay value just because the experience by itself was so grand.

[Agent York]

I find it really depressing that you're the only person making posts in this thread, this game looks brilliant and while I won't be able to pick it up immediately, I'll be sure to snag a copy over the summer. This looks pretty much like Resident Evil 5 should've been; actually legitimately scary and single player. The atmosphere looks awesome and the game in general looks pretty fun, it looks like something that would stick with me for a while after playing it, even if it didn't have much replay value just because the experience by itself was so grand.

Exactly, the game I'm sure will be a great experience in it's own right, and though not super-lengthy and the only incentive to replay is to play on harder difficulties, collect all the collectibles, discover secrets and easter eggs, achievement hunt, or just to re-experience it, the game will be enjoyed by many I believe. That and I want to support the developers, since then we'll have an Alan Wake 2, and I do believe that could be to the first one as Mass Effect 2 is to 1 or Uncharted 2 is to 1.

Besides, more incentive to play it when the DLC comes around. Remedy officially announced the release of the first episode, July 28th (not previously believed June 1st).

The Game is out in Europe, I repeat, THE GAME IS OUT IN EUROPE.

Will people finally start posting in here?

[Patticus]

Well, I've not got the game yet, but a bunch of folks I know have it. Here's a selection of their thoughts:

Received the CE today (and what a CE it is!) and have completed the first two chapters and I am utterly in love with it!

It's exactly the kind of title I've been waiting for, and certainly not a disappointment (so far). One of the most atmospheric titles I've played, and is up there with the best of them. The way the wind picks up, the lighting changes and the trees sway make for some creepy moments. The combat works great, and there's genuine fear when you're surrounded. I also have to say it's one of the most beautiful titles I've seen, mainly thanks to the utterly superb lighting. The Max Payne games hold up incredibly well, so it's no surprise to see Remedy once again create an engine that is fairly beautiful looking.

The facial animations are awful, I have seen better on PS2 and the old Xbox, there is no excuse for them being that bad at all. On my TV set I am finding the tearing to be quite bad. Normally I don't get much if at all when others complain but in this I am getting it by the bucket loads, funnily it's all in the night scenes and more so when the very bright light sources are in the frame. Apart from those niggles the game is great so far and I have no issues with the sub HD picture, script or story.

If you're a massive Stephen King fan, then this game is 100% for you.

Imagine Alone in the Dark without all the bugs and the crap writing and you pretty much have Alan Wake.

It's much, much, much, much, much better than AitD.

All in all, it's getting a slightly mixed but overall very positive reception from the people. This game should be a must-buy for Stephen King and Survival Horror fans alike. I'll probably pick it up next pay day (later in the month) or after Red Dead Redemption, which is also competing for my attention with its awesomeness.