Video games are often compared to movies and TV shows, but never before has that comparison been so apt. After a prolonged development schedule, a major redesign and years of doubt about whether it would actually be released, developer Remedy's action thriller Alan Wake is finally here. Its episodic narrative blurs the line between games and television in all the right ways, with the end result being an experience that makes me wonder why games like this weren't being made years ago.
After suffering from writer's block for months, famous writer Alan Wake joins his wife on a vacation meant to help him clear his head. Once they arrive in the quaint little town of Bright Falls, Washington, things quickly take a turn for the weird. Strange events start happening and Alan's wife Alice disappears, starting him down the path to some terrifying adventures.
Right from the very start, Remedy does an excellent job of setting the mood. Solid voice acting combined with writing that's better than what you'll find on most television dramas makes for a strong introduction, then carries on through until the end. The characters themselves aren't quite as convincing, and stiff facial animations sometimes detract from otherwise enjoyable dialog.
Each section of the game is portioned and presented just like an actual TV show. A credits screen and music play at the end of each chunk, while a “Previously on Alan Wake...” segment recaps the last episode at the start of each new one. It was almost odd the first time this happened, but the feeling that you're experiencing some sort of awesome, interactive television program sets in soon after.
Consistently awesome musical choices help with that feeling, too. There's a steady stream of tracks that seem like they'd be completely out of place in a title like this, but instead blend perfectly with what's going on.
The various environments found within Alan Wake are among some of the best I've seen. It's not that the level design is particularly amazing, but the atmosphere created within each of them is outstanding. From the creepy vibe given off by an overly eager fan that you'll run into at the town's diner, to the spooky forests that'll make you play the game with the lights on, Remedy consistently hits the right notes. Gorgeous lighting effects make shadows creep across the walls as you search a darkened cabin with your flashlight, and tree limbs look like twisted fingers reaching out to grab you when lit by the eerie red light of an emergency flare.
Light, as you'll quickly learn, is an important survival tool in Alan Wake. What better weapon to use against creatures made out of darkness? It's not much more than a novel game mechanic when you're limited to a simple flashlight, but the level designers have thrown in lots of ways for clever players to use the environment to their favor. Finding and starting up an old generator might provide power to a searchlight, which can then be used as a devastating weapon against the bad guys. Finding yourself suddenly surrounded by enemies isn't so bad if a couple of work lights happen to be lying around nearby. Alan's arsenal is rounded out with a handful of different guns, as well as road flares and flashbangs, all of which are fun to use in the right situation.
Once you've figured out how the baddies operate, encounters can eventually become repetitive. New types of weapons and enemies are spaced out nicely throughout the game, helping to negate this somewhat. Computer controlled allies also help to put a twist on certain levels, and the artificial intelligence was surprisingly competent when it came to not getting itself killed.
The worst parts of the game are the ones that stray farthest from the story. Trudging around to collect coffee thermoses and manuscript pages felt like busy work meant to artificially extend play time. Reading the manuscript pages provides additional details and bits of story, but also occasionally spoiled upcoming events that I hadn't seen yet. Additional pages can be found when the game is played on nightmare difficulty, but some things just aren't worth the achievement points.
If you're into scary stories, or even just looking for something different, Alan Wake is a solid purchase. Its story, as well as its method of telling it, feels like a refreshing step in the right direction for video game narratives. There's a lot of great content here, and the episodic format means Remedy can easily expand upon the groundwork they've laid. Hopefully, any future content will be as strong as this opening act.
Title: Alan Wake
Price: $59.99 (Standard edition) $79.99 (Collector's edition)
Platform: Xbox 360
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Score: A
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