A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about Red Dead Redemption and what my experience with the game was like. As many gamers know, these games are linked, mainly because they were both released in the same month, and both are critically acclaimed. However, that is where the similarities for these two games end. For one, Red Dead crushed Alan Wake in the month of May, one is an open world game, and the other is an action-adventure thriller. I had the privilege of playing both games and can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed both titles as both provided different game play styles.

For me, Alan Wake works because it is not your typical third-person shooter, it is beyond that. The basics of the typical third-person shooter are there, and are done very well, but that’s not all that is there. The constant quest of finding the light and using light is an element that helps separate this title from other third-person shooters I have played over the years. In hindsight, that is not the main reason that this game was very enjoyable to me. The main element in this game that made it very enjoyable was its narrative. Alan Wake truly focused on telling a story that you could play through. This shouldn’t have come to the surprise of anyone who played this game, as it is stated on the cover art, a psychological action thriller. Maybe I should have judged this game by its cover, as it fully delivered on that description.

I can’t seem to say this enough, this game just worked for me in all aspects. Even in the few times where the game play felt like it was getting stale, a taken would jump out and mix things up and keep me on my toes. My only disappointment with this game is that it didn’t sell as well as it should have. Like the many people, and reviewers who mentioned this before, I urge you to play this game. You will not be disappointed. Words simply cannot describe how good and different this game is. Believe me when I say this, in a year that has had a lot of good titles hit the market, this is truly a must have. If you have waited this long to get your hands on it you are in luck as most retailers are selling this at a discounted rate. I’ve said it before, but it needs repeating, buy this game.

Alan Wake is my GOTY.   

nice blog, they are great games.

" @Jeust:  It was my number 2 on my top 5. My list can be found here. "

I wouldn't call a taken appearing "mixing it up". I loved the game for sure, and it's in my top ten, (here) but it definitely was a tad bit too heavy on the combat. At least the combat and controls were solid though.

I liked this game. I very much liked this game.  
 
It fell short a little bit here and there,  or maybe it just marched to a different drummer. Even that awkward product promotion turned out to be undeterminate., which was such a relief. If not informed about it, I would have never noticed or cared. Which is something I appreciatted deeply.

anyone else gotten any glitches for the achievements for The Writer dlc?  in some places on xbl it says i have this 50G cheev, and 65 of 67 AW cheevs total, while in other places it says I don't, and only have 64 of 67. i have all the latest updates and everything, but the problem persists.  it's really annoying because it makes my entire gamerscore show up as 50 points less han it actually is in a lot of places.