Alan Wake is a Finnish video game that was first released all the way back in 2010. The action-adventure game with horror elements quickly became a favourite, receiving positive reviews and obtaining the first spot in Time magazine's list of the top ten video games of the year. A full stand-alone title called Alan Wake's American Nightmare was released two years later but the franchise was then put on hold. The remastered version that has been released in 2021 might perhaps revive the franchise for the near future.
This remastered version of the game is both highly recommended to fans of the original version and newcomers who might have missed the game for one reason or another. The plot revolves around author Alan Wake who travels to the small to town of Bright Falls in Washington to deal with his ongoing writer's block. Soon after arriving, his wife gets kidnapped and the author tries to figure out what might have happened. As he travels through the region's vast nature as he gets mysterious instructions from the kidnapper, Alan Wake meets possessed shadowy figures who are attempting to stop him by any means necessary.
This video game convinces on numerous levels. First and foremost, this is one of the most atmospheric video games I have ever played. It starts with a nightmarish sequence that leads to more questions than it actually answers. The six different episodes develop a mood of confusion, isolation and terror that only gets more intense as the video game progresses.
The challenge level is captivating but not exaggerated. Some of the shadowy figures will employ dangerous weapons to attack Alan Wake such as a bulldozer while other enemies will unite their forces to attack in three waves of four opponents. Players need to use ammunition, flashlights and light grenades carefully to ward off enemies without running out of resources. At times, running away to the next light source is the best way to get out of this ordeal.
The controls are simple and efficient. There are a few quick-time events where you have to avoid attacks from enemies. It's also important to always precisely direct light sources onto opponents. Shots have to be fired with much precision as well as the shadowy creatures are quite resilient and resistant.
The game flow is overall very good. The plot is captivating and makes you want to explore how the story unfolds. The different locations look outstanding and are intriguing to discover. You can collect coffee thermoses and pages from a scrapped manuscript throughout the game. The only slightly negative element is that many locations in the forests are somewhat repetitive and sometimes the sheer mass of opponents can become somewhat overwhelming.
The graphics are absolutely stunning. The dense forests, falsely idyllic small town buildings and abandoned ruins throughout the game invite players to explore every single detail of this game. Alan Wake is truly immersive and most recommended to players who don't want to rush to finish a game but take the time to let the entire environment sink in.
Alan Wake's length is quite satisfying for a horror video game. It has six episodes of roughly two to four hours each, depending on how well you are able to ward off your enemies. The remastered version includes two special episodes that might take another three hours to complete each. This remastered version certainly offers value for money.
The long-term fun factor is given thanks to the intriguing plot. Like a solid psychological horror movie, you want to progress to unveil all the mysteries and understand what's going on throughout the addictive plot.
Alan Wake's sound is highly efficient, offering some scary moments when enemies attack out of nowhere or when supernatural elements unfold before your eyes. The vintage sounds of radio programs and old television series add a lot of atmosphere as well.
The soundtrack might be the only average point of this video game. We can hear some songs from an old jukebox and the radio programs but they are rather exchangeable and unspectacular. However, it's exactly the kind of music you would expect people from an isolated small town to listen to. This means that even though the different tunes are somewhat boring and forgettable on their own, they actually fit in the context of the video game.
Finally, the story of Alan Wake is quite mysterious and intriguing. It's one of the reasons why players have cherished the game in the first place and why newcomers want to explore this classic in all its details to get to the stunning conclusion. However, fans of horror movies, novels and video games might predict quite a few elements as Alan Wake pays tribute to the horror genre without innovating it.
At the end of the day, fans of old date and new players alike should give Alan Wake Remastered a try and will explore an atmospheric, detailed and gripping action-adventure game with strong horror elements. If you appreciate this kind of video game, you should also try out Silent Hill: Shattered Memories that is even slightly better than the already excellent Alan Wake and that was released around the same time. Here's hope that the latter game will also be remastered, so it can be enjoyed on contemporary video game platforms by a new generation of video game enthusiasts.
