Cert: 16+
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Action/Adventure
Alan Wake comes from Remedy Entertainment, the developers behind the popular Max Payne series. The game tells the story of writer Alan Wake who has retreated to the seemingly idyllic island of Bright Falls with his wife to finish a much delayed book. The opening line of the game quotes straight from Stephen King and the entire experience feels like a homage to Misery, The Birds and numerous other psychological horror books and films.
Computer games are often criticised, sometimes rightly, for being nothing more than dumbed down shooters full of clichéd aliens or monsters. Then there's this game which pitches itself as an intelligent episodic thriller. It revolves around Wake who has figure out what happened to his wife and piece together a horror book coming to life before his eyes, which he can't remember writing.
Certain releases have standout features; Bioshock has it's water effects, Halo has it's physics engine, Alan Wake has light. It even forms a key part of the gameplay with Wake able to fend off possessed creatures using his torch. The game is not without its flaws though. The special effects are a little dated in places; the facial animations and textures being particularly poor. However these minor quibbles shouldn't deter anyone from entering the creepy yet compelling world of Bright Falls.
Rent or Buy: Buy
Graphics: 4/5
Game Play: 5/5
Replay Value: 3/5
Overall: 4/5
Reviewed By: Bryan Collins
