After six years Alan wake finally arrives on xbox 360.
The long wait has done nothing to dull peoples interest in the games proposition. The question is has time been to the games benefit?
A lot of great and groundbreaking games have been released since the games original announcement and it comes now after a year of top releases for all consoles.
Alan is an author with a bad case of writers block. He heads with his wife to the idyllic town of Bright falls to recharge and find inspiration. At first look the town is a non to exceptional place, but it holds a dark secret. During the first night in Bright falls Wakes wife vanishes and he wakes up having lost a week.
The story becomes a twisting and turning tale of dark vs light, in both the spiritual and literal sense. Its part twin peaks part horror tale. It also has many nods to the twilight zone and the outer limits style shows. The game even features tv sets scattered around the game world screening its own take on the twilight zone that provide a fun and entertaining distraction.
At its heart the game isn't far beyond a simple action adventure game. The game is suppurated into 6 "episodes" set out like a tv show with intro and past episode recaps. This is an OK touch but really adds little to the experience as you are more then likely to just play through in larger sittings anyway.
The bulk of the action takes place at night, where the games primary feature comes into play. The dark force in the game is literally that, based on darkness. Alan's only hope is to use light to survive, At its most simple level this involves using a torch to hold off and weaken dangers in order to give a killing blow. But light is more then a weapon , actively healing you in the beam of a street lamp or house light.
The visuals, although perfectly acceptable, have the "feel" of past gen games. This games visual style is more that of an late original xbox title then 360. The quality is not exceptional, but very good, but it feels out of time to an extent. Also the animation in cut scenes, while bearable, is less then brilliant. Alan's wife in particular is quite a horror to see in motion. In game animation does feel good though. The lighting effects are a highlight here as the games main feature its obvious that the developers have taken some extra effort to get them right. The world Alan inhabits also is very well crafted. The characters, although not very real, are very believable for the world. TV show believable and aid in crafting a believable and interesting story.
Sound design is also excellent, distant squeals, the sound of the wind in the surrounding trees and the gargling croaking sound of the taken as they arrive is all perfectly relaised and never becomes boring or dull to the ear. Always crafting the right amout of tension and fear.
The problem is it all feels a little late and in exceptional as a design. Yes the game is a completely fine one, and worth a buy, but the time in development has brought nothing totally breathtaking to the mix. During my play through it just felt like a Alone in the dark spin off. Its been too long in its own juices and now just feels average as an experience. Fine while it lasts, but its not one that makes me want to go back and not one that leaves much of an image in your mind after.
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- robin smith
