When I first saw a video of Alan Wake in early 2010 I was amazed to learn that the game was being developed for the past 5 years.
How did this game creep under my radars was one question I asked myself and it quickly became one of my most anticipated games for 2010?
Background: Without giving too much away, Alan Wake is a best selling author whose books are inspired from strange dreams he has ever since meeting his wife.
After suffering from writer’s block, Alan and his wife decide to take a vacation, while on vacation, his wife is kidnapped and this is where, the ‘darkness’ begins.
Thoughts: Alan Wake is not your typical horror game, in fact it is not your typical game period; the gameplay can be regarded as repetitive with the same technique employed throughout to eliminate bad guys while you try to find your wife and seek answers, but what makes this game special…. is the story.
While you play, several questions will come to mind, is this a dream? Are these things for real? Is Alan now a victim of his own creativity and has finally lost it?
Coupled with the ambiance of the game, and the stunning sound track that compliments the mood perfectly and we have ourselves a winner.
Verdict: Whilst this game may not appease to everyone, I think it definitely deserves credit for the direction it took; straying away from the norm and is a must play, if simply to see how video games are slowly evolving into well scripted ‘movies’.
I give it a 8/10.
Lost and Found 