Pitch Black
Anyway, this is another survival horror game but it's actually a unique one which is something I feel the genere isn't getting enough of. The graphical presentation is just great, the background look real and well detail, from the forest but most impressive to me was the water. But I just simply love how they were able to create the beautiful northwest enviorment which is great since I live in Washington.
I really love the atmosphere in the game which is forboding and creepy, the darkness really gives the dreamlike quality that your walking in a nightmare. The music is very good from some errie tunes that give the game a creepy vibe but I also like the use of soundtrack like in one action sequence some heavy metal tune which was cool as well as another rock tune called "Lady of the Light" which was beautiful.
The gameplay is soild, there are a decent amount of enimies, I like the character animation on them they look creepy and menacing, it's really the amount of enimies depending on the situation I'm always worried about.
I really like the use of light in the game it's a bit similar to the film "Pitch Black", who'd of thought that light could be for more than just one important use. When you shine the light or lure enimes to a source of light you take their darkness power away which makes them vunerable for disposal. And in some situation you are also able to destroy objects and even vehicles like a bulldowser and train car powered by the dark (not kidding). But there is a catch the power from you flashlight or a certain light souce does run out, so with the flashlight you have to constantly put a new battery in. So use your light carefully because depending on the situation you may need your flashlight more than ever. You have a decent variety of weapons to use, even use of vehicles in some places of the game,
I wouldn't say this game's action is really wall to wall but that's because this game is more focused on suspense and story.
But this game's true strength is on it's suspense and story. This survival horror game is slightly unique because it's more of an experience than a game much like "Indigo Prophacy" (game I reviewed) , "Hard Rain" and others. The game's story just really sucked me in like any good story in a book, as I got further I just wanted to know more. This game's story is no doubt an homage to "Steven King", it's all there from homaging King's works like "The Shining", "The Dead Zone", the movie "Maximum Overdrive". But may'be even a small homage to H.P. Lovecraft also where his stories were always about ancient evil forces, hidden from the mortal world.
I really love the twists in the story which really will pull the rug from under you and throw your past assumptions off while bringing up more questions. I also really like the voice acting which I thought was up to par. And the characters were developed alright mainly Alan Wake (ironic name) whom is the typical sympathic protagonist. I really like the emotion he expresses, I don't blame him we're practically in the same boat as him he's constantly wondering what the hell is going on, why this is happening. Let alone he wants to save his wife. Indeed as you get further things get more stranger and more dangerous, which made things both creepy and intreging at the same time.
The only bad thing about the game and this for me is just a small flicker for me but there is a bit of repetition, some situations look and feel too much the same.
Overall, this is a soild survival horror game that like any good horror story is worth a look. This game will give you a new reason to be afraid of the dark.