One of the best written games I've ever played, complimented with a fantastic performance by Matthew Poretta as Alan Wake. The flashlight mechanic was a really fun twist on combat in a horror game which usually splits into melee or gunplay. My biggest complaint is that the movement is pretty clunky, almost like it couldn't decide if it wanted to have tank or analog controls. This, along with the janky camera, made some combat encounters frustrating. I'd gladly go through it all again to re-experience the narrative. If Alan Wake 2's narrative is just as solid and it improves on the gameplay it will likely be my personal GoTY.

Alan Wake’s story, characters and themes are unique and exciting, but not interesting enough for me to dissect its cryptic notions or give me an urge to replay. Apart from a few standout moments, I was more excited on seeing the destination and not so much on the journey for each main episode. Fending off waves of enemies grew tiresome in the later parts. It would have been better if more gameplay elements were added, like in the special episodes with the words. The special episodes were fun throughout and my favourites. Overall, worth playing and awaiting the second game.

A captivating journey into the supernatural that left me both enthralled and occasionally exasperated. Let me break it down for you.

The story is an absolute gem. What sets it apart are the delightful tidbits of lore scattered throughout the game. From the manuscripts to the TV shows and other collectibles, the depth of storytelling reeled me in. Remedy Entertainment also deserves praise for their commitment to expanding the game's universe through outside canon material, which adds a layer of richness to the experience.

The setting and atmosphere of the game really sold it for me. As someone who's a sucker for the Pacific Northwest's eerie charm, the cabin-esque interiors and the overall ambiance spoke to me. The sense of place is so palpable that it feels like another character in the story.

One of the game's standout features is its presentation through episodes. The cliffhangers at the end of each episode had me hooked and eager to uncover more of the mystery. It's a brilliant narrative device that keeps players invested in the unfolding drama.

However, the gameplay can be a bit of a mixed bag. While it offers thrilling moments, the combat can also be frustrating at times. An issue I encountered was the increase in difficulty in the DLC episodes. While the added challenge makes sense from a story perspective, it occasionally detracted from my enjoyment. I found myself running from threats more often than I'd like, which stopped me from exploring and taking in the story.

Overall still a highly recommended experience with a fun story and atmosphere. It's a love letter to the Pacific Northwest that draws you in with its mysteries and keeps you on the edge of your seat with its episodic structure. However, some frustrating gameplay moments and a noticeable spike in difficulty in the DLC episodes can be a slight blemish on an otherwise fantastic experience. If you're a fan of supernatural tales and atmospheric settings, this remastered version of Alan Wake is well worth the journey.

♪Also Old Gods of Asgard slap and I'm so glad they're on Spotify♪

Alan Wake is a very unique horror game that i enjoyed a lot. There’s a lot i liked about this game and a little bit i didn’t. To start, the combat in this game is very unique, i enjoyed having to be tactical by using light to defeat enemies, with that said however a lot of times fighting multiple enemies at one time SUCKED. The story was also very unique too, i’m typically not a fan of episodic games outside of a few telltale games but it worked very well in this game. i think the ending was a little bit rushed but it still did a really good job at getting me even more excited for the sequel. i also think the gameplay got a little clunky at times especially with the dodge mechanic but hey, it’s a game from 2010 so it’s pretty much to be expected.

Overall, Alan Wake is a great game that does a great job at making itself very unique compared to other survival horror games, i could absolutely see my rating going up to a 4.5/5, and i’m beyond excited for the sequel.