Alan Wake is a creepy and amazing thriller/horror game that seems to come straight from a Hollywood movie script.
Story 10/10 - Alan Wake's general concept is don't trust what is in the dark because it might be too late to have second thoughts. Throughout the game you will have to stay in the light and constantly check your back. The actual storyline of Alan Wake is that you are Alan Wake immensely popular author and celebrity. After suffering from writers block for two years your girlfriend suggests that you take a vacation to the town of Bright Falls in some area near Northern Oregon or Southern Washington. I can't spoil what happens next, but lets say that you didn't get what you were supposed to. After a count of mysterious events happens separating you from your girlfriend you have been plunged into a world where darkness has a life of its own and it can take over and control whatever it pleases. After that the story progresses itself. I have not actually beat the game yet, but I can tell you that the game is long and fun. The story could easily be made into a Hollywood movie, as it is one of the best I have ever played.
Concept 9/10 - The actual concept behind Alan Wake is how darkness is never good and that it is better to be in light than darkness. It will make you have second thoughts about what is lurking in your hallway at night. Could it be your doom or nothing at all. Therefore if you have a terrible fear of the dark DON'T PLAY THIS GAME. It may sound like it came straight from a seven year old who just woke up from a nightmare, but the general concept plays very well with the story of Alan Wake. In fact it plays so well with the story that I have actually been somewhat jittery while walking to the bathroom in the night. As I said before though it plays very well with the story and it is not going to make you paranoid or make you get a fear of the dark.
Gameplay 9/10 - The gameplay in Alan Wake is focused on two main elements your light source and your gun. In Alan Wake there are 3 types of enemies, Taken, Birds, and Poltergeists. The Taken are humans that have been consumed by darkness and there only goal is to kill anything that is not dark. Birds are the same things as Taken except they are obviously just with birds. Poltergeists are interesting enemies as you can just run or you can stand and face them. Poltergeists are enemies that were formerly inanimate objects such as a car or a train, but have been possessed by darkness. To kill Taken you must shine your light source on them and take out their "dark shield" then you must shoot them. Birds are simple to kill as all you have to do is point your light at them and they burn up into nothing. Poltergeists are killed the same way as birds, the only difference being that they are much more dangerous as they have more health and they can dish out much more damage.
Graphics 9/10 - This game is gorgeous. It has amazing visuals that are some of the best out there. Need I say more.
Fear Factor 7/10 - This game is certainly not the scariest thing out there, but it will give you a few good jumps.
Overall 9.5/10 - Alan Wake is a very fun game that can only be explained by playing it. It is scary enough to make you feel suspense and make you jump, but it will not make you have to switch to something else. Overall this game is something I have never seen before and it does damn well at delivering a concept that has never been explored.