Alan Wake

Alan Wake is an action thriller video game developed by Remedy Entertainment, published by Microsoft Game Studios and released on Xbox 360 in May 2010.

The game itself is inspired by Twin Peaks, Lost, The X-Files and the works of Stephen King.

Plot

Alan Wake, a bestselling writer, hasn’t managed to write anything in over two years. His wife, Alice, brings him to the idyllic small town of Bright Falls, Washington to recover his creative flow.

When she vanishes without a trace, Wake finds himself trapped in a nightmare. Word by word, his latest work – a thriller he cannot even remember writing – is coming true before his eyes.

At night a powerful dark entity takes over the town and its inhabitants, and Wake’s only protection seems to be light. At day things return to normal and the townspeople are no longer possessed.

But in the game Alan will have to outrun police, find his book’s missing pages, fight and use the surrounding objects with light, and find his wife.

Gameplay

The story will play out in an episodic format, with a television show-style presentation similar to Lost and 24 where each episode/chapter brings another piece to the puzzle of the main plot. Remedy has confirmed that Alan Wake is only the first season of a bigger story, opening the door for future sequels.

Light plays a significant role in gameplay and strategy. The enemies, called “the Taken” in the game, are sensitive to light, encouraging the player to take advantage of environmental light sources and placing significant emphasis on the flashlight as a primary weapon.

Players also have the ability to set traps that illuminate when triggered, either damaging or temporarily immobilizing an enemy. They are then destroyed and turned into batteries.

Video Review

Game Specs

Developer(s) Remedy Entertainment

Publisher(s) Microsoft Game Studios

Designer(s) Petri Järvilehto (lead designer)

Writer(s) Sam Lake (lead writer)

Composer(s) Petri Alanko

Engine Alan Wake-engine, Havok (physics)

Native resolution 540p

Platform(s) Xbox 360

Release date(s) NA May 18, 2010 / EU May 14, 2010 / AUS May 20, 2010

Genre(s) Psychological thriller, action

Mode(s) Single-player

Rating(s) BBFC: 15 / ESRB: T / PEGI: 16+

Media DVD-DL

Input methods Gamepad