Alan Wake (AWAKE) Thread... - Page 7

Intrepid Homoludens · 04-29-2010, 02:53 PM

Alan Wake preview: a haunted man in an amazing game | Ars Technica

Quote:

We have a retail, final copy of the game in our office, and I spent last night delving into the world of a writer whose imagination may be a little more powerful than he realized. We're allowed to talk about the first "episode" of the game, so let's dig into what makes this so impressive.

Wake feels like an actual person, which is a welcome change from the world of overgrown space marines. His relationship with his wife likewise looks and feels like an actual marriage. Bright Falls, with its hyper-detailed environment and realistically quirky inhabitants, complete with the with yearly "Deerfest" event coming up, feels like an actual place you might have driven past. While the voice acting can be rough in spots, overall it's much better written and acted than average. Yes, it's better than Heavy Rain, thank God.

Making an environment seem real is getting easier these days, but filling that environment with a sense of dread and foreboding is much harder. The game handles both light and dark sections with ease. Light is your weapon in Alan Wake, and things you encounter can be harmed by your flashlight... before you finish them off with your gun. The lesson is clear: the light is safe, while reality tends to slide away in the darkness.

What's impressive about the game is that the people you encounter seem like nice, down-to-Earth folks. It's a small town and everyone knows each other. But the game gives you the sense that they are not safe from whatever is going on.

Roper Klacks · 04-29-2010, 04:17 PM

I want this so badly... i guess i'll go play some Max Payne and forget about this.

Tiocfaidh · 04-30-2010, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roper Klacks

I want this so badly... i guess i'll go play some Max Payne and forget about this.

I still believe in a PC release.
It may take a year or two though

DustyShinigami · 04-30-2010, 02:15 PM

Buy Alan Wake new and get the first piece of DLC for free.

Intrepid Homoludens · 05-01-2010, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazzoid

Buy Alan Wake new and get the first piece of DLC for free.

Yeah I read about that earlier. Absolutely no complaints from me. Got the Collector's Edition pre-ordered.

Hmm, considering this title is to be a cinematic kind of interactive experience, I should make sure to stock up on lots of popcorn before it arrrives.

Hammerite · 05-01-2010, 04:48 AM

Released in time for the Summer Holidays, i.e. XBox Time.
First of many wins.

UPtimist · 05-04-2010, 03:34 AM

First review I've seen (Pelit, the biggest Finnish gaming magazine), a positive one: 87/100 + recommended. Haven't properly read it yet though, but seems like it does most things well. I guess I'll be getting it at some point...

Also, seems to be quite a few Twin Peaks references

Roper Klacks · 05-04-2010, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UPtimist

Also, seems to be quite a few Twin Peaks references

I guess Remedy are fans of the show (who isn't?). Max Payne 2 also had some references.

UPtimist · 05-04-2010, 05:12 AM

The flamingo TV show was awesome

Anyways, seems I was somewhat right in my fear that they've gone a tad too shooter with it, the other reviewer (a little side-box review) also says that in fact the exploration parts are the best in the game, and the fighting (that can get a little repetitive) would also be better if there were more of the calm, exploration parts... Still, both say it's an excellent game.

DustyShinigami · 05-05-2010, 03:10 AM

X360A.org review plus Achievements list.

Roper Klacks · 05-05-2010, 04:56 AM

Seems like its getting a bit lower reviews than i expected. I think its clearly an example of too many expectations for such a long production time.

Now lets just hope it sells poorly and they release it on PC

DustyShinigami · 05-05-2010, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roper Klacks

Seems like its getting a bit lower reviews than i expected. I think its clearly an example of too many expectations for such a long production time.

Lower? What are you talking about? Those reviews/scores look nice and healthy to me. 80 out of 100 feels about right.

Roper Klacks · 05-05-2010, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazzoid

Lower? What are you talking about? Those reviews/scores look nice and healthy to me. 80 out of 100 feels about right.

To me its very good, but i'm not representative of how the masses think, a lot of my favourite games are in the 70's/100. But lets be realistic, Alan Wake had a budget os a AAA game. Its Microsoft's biggest bet for 2010 (alongside the new Halo) and was supposed to be their biggest GOTY challenger.

Let's not forget this is an industry too focused and manipulated by Matacritic, which has the idea that a <90/100 game is a mediocre one. Alan Wake was supposed to be bigger and better than Metro 2033 or Just Cause 2 for example (i'm talking solely about Metacritic standards).

ggreen737 · 05-05-2010, 04:34 PM

http://kotaku.com/5527633/alan-wake-review-transcending-its-medium

Kotaku Review.

Oh man, I might have to buy a 360 now. Not really, but dammit it needs to come out on PC! I like the reviewers Emotional Response section, really seals it for me. Exactly what I was mostly hoping for, a true cinematic experience.

D.C. · 05-05-2010, 05:14 PM

I can't believe it's coming out so soon. I'm just bummed Australia's getting it a few days after the U.S. and Europe. Means I'll have to avoid this thread or risk spoilers a-plenty.

Intrepid Homoludens · 05-05-2010, 05:17 PM

Thank Ganesha this is to be the last game I buy before summer. I'm soooo broke now! I don't even want to skim the news on the gaming sites for fear I might learn of a new title I must have.

Only 12 days left til Mr. Wake shows up at my front door!

Roper Klacks · 05-05-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggreen737

http://kotaku.com/5527633/alan-wake-...ing-its-medium

Kotaku Review.

Oh man, I might have to buy a 360 now. Not really, but dammit it needs to come out on PC! I like the reviewers Emotional Response section, really seals it for me. Exactly what I was mostly hoping for, a true cinematic experience.

Thats it! I need to borrow a 360, NOW! I was watching Giant Bomb's quick look and i was very impressed. Its really my kind of game

Please Remedy...

Intrepid Homoludens · 05-05-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roper Klacks

Thats it! I need to borrow a 360, NOW! I was watching Giant Bomb's quick look and i was very impressed. Its really my kind of game

Please Remedy...

EEP!!! NO LOOKY LOOKY! Spoilers!!!

orient · 05-05-2010, 08:18 PM

I'm intrigued. It seems like they really got the environment and atmosphere right in this game. I'm a bit worried about the dialogue, though. It's a bit...well, bad, unless it's intentionally ham-fisted in reference to the mystery genre? I may have to give it a look.

Intrepid Homoludens · 05-05-2010, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orient

I'm a bit worried about the dialogue, though. It's a bit...well, bad, unless it's intentionally ham-fisted in reference to the mystery genre? I may have to give it a look.

Hell, I'd take that over most any adventure game cutscene voice acting in the past several years!

04-29-2010, 04:17 PM	#122
Roper Klacks Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portugal Posts: 344	I want this so badly... i guess i'll go play some Max Payne and forget about this. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Favorite Adventures: Gabriel Knight series, The Longest Journey, Still Life, The Last Express, Shivers.

04-30-2010, 02:15 PM	#124
DustyShinigami The Quiet One Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Staffordshire, UK Posts: 1,986	Buy Alan Wake new and get the first piece of DLC for free. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Now Playing: Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - The Director's Cut (DS and iPhone), DOOM 3: Resurrection of Evil, Hotel Dusk: Room 215, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice for All, Silent Hill - HD Collection Recently Completed: Max Payne, Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Next: Bayonetta, Devil May Cry - HD Collection, Max Payne 3, Metal Gear Solid - HD Collection, Silent Hill: Downpour

05-01-2010, 04:48 AM	#126
Hammerite kamikaze hummingbirds Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Over there. Posts: 7,946	Released in time for the Summer Holidays, i.e. XBox Time. First of many wins. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ The bin is a place for household rubbish, not beloved pets!

05-04-2010, 03:34 AM	#127
UPtimist Life and times of... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Up there in the mist Posts: 6,025	First review I've seen (Pelit, the biggest Finnish gaming magazine), a positive one: 87/100 + recommended. Haven't properly read it yet though, but seems like it does most things well. I guess I'll be getting it at some point... Also, seems to be quite a few Twin Peaks references Share Share this post on Twitter

05-04-2010, 05:12 AM	#129
UPtimist Life and times of... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Up there in the mist Posts: 6,025	The flamingo TV show was awesome Anyways, seems I was somewhat right in my fear that they've gone a tad too shooter with it, the other reviewer (a little side-box review) also says that in fact the exploration parts are the best in the game, and the fighting (that can get a little repetitive) would also be better if there were more of the calm, exploration parts... Still, both say it's an excellent game. Share Share this post on Twitter

05-05-2010, 03:10 AM	#130
DustyShinigami The Quiet One Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Staffordshire, UK Posts: 1,986	X360A.org review plus Achievements list. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Now Playing: Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - The Director's Cut (DS and iPhone), DOOM 3: Resurrection of Evil, Hotel Dusk: Room 215, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice for All, Silent Hill - HD Collection Recently Completed: Max Payne, Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Next: Bayonetta, Devil May Cry - HD Collection, Max Payne 3, Metal Gear Solid - HD Collection, Silent Hill: Downpour

05-05-2010, 04:56 AM	#131
Roper Klacks Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portugal Posts: 344	Seems like its getting a bit lower reviews than i expected. I think its clearly an example of too many expectations for such a long production time. Now lets just hope it sells poorly and they release it on PC Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Favorite Adventures: Gabriel Knight series, The Longest Journey, Still Life, The Last Express, Shivers.

05-05-2010, 04:34 PM	#134
ggreen737 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 194	http://kotaku.com/5527633/alan-wake-review-transcending-its-medium Kotaku Review. Oh man, I might have to buy a 360 now. Not really, but dammit it needs to come out on PC! I like the reviewers Emotional Response section, really seals it for me. Exactly what I was mostly hoping for, a true cinematic experience. Share Share this post on Twitter

05-05-2010, 05:14 PM	#135
D.C. Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,773	I can't believe it's coming out so soon. I'm just bummed Australia's getting it a few days after the U.S. and Europe. Means I'll have to avoid this thread or risk spoilers a-plenty. Share Share this post on Twitter Last edited by D.C.; 05-05-2010 at 06:54 PM.

05-05-2010, 05:17 PM	#136
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	Thank Ganesha this is to be the last game I buy before summer. I'm soooo broke now! I don't even want to skim the news on the gaming sites for fear I might learn of a new title I must have. Only 12 days left til Mr. Wake shows up at my front door! Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

05-05-2010, 08:18 PM	#139
orient Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 468	I'm intrigued. It seems like they really got the environment and atmosphere right in this game. I'm a bit worried about the dialogue, though. It's a bit...well, bad, unless it's intentionally ham-fisted in reference to the mystery genre? I may have to give it a look. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Mindtank Studios

User Name		Remember Me?
Password