Remedy pushed this game back numerous times, and the end result is obviously a labor of love
Alan Wake had big shoes to fill when it was announced five years ago, and I'm delighted to say that it has surpassed expectations. Especially when you consider that all the demo levels in the pre-release videos were very different than the finished product.
I took the day off today (5/18) to get this game and play it all day. As a horror buff, this game was going to fall under under my umbrella of scrutiny today. I sprung for the limited edition box, which is handsomely bound in a box that resembles a book, with a limited edition copy of the game, a bonus two-disk case that includes the soundtrack (including licensed music) and a book that details numerous events that take place in the game.
I just got a 1080p HDTV, a 42 inch Vizio, so I can safely say this game looks absolutely insane in HD. Because I got an LCD TV, there was the obvious motion blur on top of the motion blur effect that the game engine uses for dramatic effect, and it does take a little getting used to (I'm still getting used to motion blur in general), but the game looks so amazing, you won't even notice most of the time. The forest scenes at night are downright beautiful, and it's amazing that the game can run on such a consistent framerate, given the sheer number of polygons onscreen at any given time.
The audio in the game is on par with the graphics. The voice acting is particularly of note, and the performance by the actor who voiced the main character (and narrator) is very well done. The music is just about what you'd expect, with music keeping the tone alive, with stabs and crescendos at appropriate moments. Each episode ends with some licensed music to play it out, and it's mostly appropriate rock music.
I don't really want to get too much into the story, because it's really the reason I bought the game in the first place. I play games to get a story, and I'll just say that I've been on the end of my seat more than a few times during the game so far.
The combat is obscenely fun, and while it seems pretty easy at first, there are some sequences that will have you biting your nails, and you will die a few times, but it manages to avoid getting you too frustrated. The whole combat system is fresh, interesting, and utilizes elements from the environment as well as your weapons, so it keeps things mixed up. Enemies come in a variety of flavors, from crazed nightmarish dudes wielding axes to possessed bulldozers (maximum overdrive was an obvious inspiration), so you'll be on your toes, for sure.
All in all, this game is a joy if you like the horror genre and a good story. Those of you who like Modern Warfare or other more fast-paced games may not find this game to your liking. This game certainly has a more deliberate pace, with minor exploration and trudging through haunted woods being the mainstay of gameplay. On the surface, this formula may seem a little droll, but I assure you, this game is incredibly fun, with a number of moments that WILL stick with you long after you turn the Xbox off. Once again, Gamespot's review seems to be just lies and garbage.