The structure of American Nightmare seems to be a sticking point for many, but I personally don't find going through the same scenarios multiple times with different encounters and dialogue for three hours any more taxing than going through nondescript woods that look the same for 10, I might even prefer it. I thought that returning to the scenarios with more pieces slotted into place each time making your progression through them more brisk was pretty satisfying honestly.

Especially when the combat feels way less sluggish and time wasting. The rhythm of gameplay flows a lot more smoothly here than I thought it did in the first game due to the flashlight exposing taken a lot faster and them closing in on you much slower, I didn't find myself dreading coming across the next group of enemies this time around. It also just feels better, and has a much wider pool of weapons to boot.

All that and a way more engaging antagonist (and much better sound mixing that doesn't periodically pierce my ears) I'm left scratching my head a little at the reception. I felt the first game was a frustrating experience to actually play through that was carried pretty well by the concept and presentation, and AWAN does fun stuff with that while also playing better.

The song they played three times was admittedly mid though.