This is a must for any XBOX owner or horror aficionado. The deepest storyline I have ever played.
Some people have voiced concern over replay value of the game and I think that you should look at it like this. The game is set up like a TV series and should be treated as such. If you are the type that loves to go back and watch episodes of mysteries to see if you can catch things you've missed. Or, if you just like to go back and watch your favorite TV shows then Alan Wake will definitely hold replay value for you.
Story - (10) The story is solid in this game!!! It is very apparent that it is the central focus of the game. There were several points during the game that I thought were very well thought out and it is obvious that they hired a good story writer to pull it all together. Almost all additional pieces to the game like TV shows, radio shows and finding pages add to the story and you genuinely want to find them, except for the coffee mugs. As I mentioned before, Alan Wake is first and foremost a TV series-esque video game. Like a TV series there is a conclusion but only enough at the end to leave you wondering and wanting to watch more. There is not a 100% definite conclusion. There isn't in TV and there isn't here. If you know that going into it, you will probably love it that much more. I have already started into my second play through on this and it is still a thrilling story.
Graphics - (9.5) The graphics are incredible. Some of the best I have seen on a console to date. The character models are very good looking and there are only a few places in which they don't. The biggest draw to this game is the scenery. The environments just look spectacular. Bushes react to you walking through them and the town feels real. You will get sucked into Bright Falls which is totally a good thing.
Sound - (9.5) The voice acting in this game is really top notch. There are a couple of times that I can think of that the voices were slightly off from the characters on the screen but not so much that it got super distracting. I was just impressed that it was voice acted so well. The sound effects are genuinely creepy and accurate. They keep you on the edge the entire time. Another thing to call out here is the soundtrack. It is masterfully done and ties into the game very well. Especially the rock song. (I won't ruin anything but you will like it, I promise)
Controls - (9.0) The controls are very simple to learn and adapt to. The only problem I had was with dodging and finally by the end of the game I was able to get it down a bit more. If they tweak it just a little bit more for Alan Wake 2 then we are in good shape.
Overall, this game is a work of art and ultimately engrosses you in Bright Falls and leaves you absolutely engaged to the very end. The story is so good you will 'need' to know how it ends. By the end, it leaves it pretty clear that we can expect more great things from the Alan Wake universe which is totally welcome in my book.