This is a fine little narrative game, the story it chooses to tell is interesting and has some moments that really got to me due to it connecting to my own life experiences. I enjoyed my time with it but it's not something I'm going to remember in a few years, maybe even a few months. It won't stick with me even if it did elicit an emotional response out of me.

Just because something is emotionally resonant doesn't mean it's better than something that doesn't. That's my major issue, it's a game that rides on emotional connection and caring about what's going on, and if it doesn't land that, you're getting nothing out of it.

The overall presentation of the game is fine, though I'm not a big fan of the human models, since that's what you're forced to be staring at for most of the game. I'd like it if it was a bit more interesting to look at instead of just standing around with barely any motion.

The voice acting is excellent, DC Dougles and Rick Zieff do a good job with their performance, and all additional voices don't slack either, though some of the writing can feel a bit stilted at points, they are trying with what's given.

There's a issue with the subtitles at points not being accurate to what's being said and in one case just not bothering to subtitle a section of the game, if you're going to have accessibility features, actually commit to them. Minor nitpick but it annoyed me enough to mention.

This might sound like I'm being very negative and it's kinda because I am, the core of this game is good, but that's the most it'll get out of me. It's not great, excellent, amazing, outstanding, just good. I wouldn't pay full price for it, even at the 50% sale I got it in, £7 still felt like a big ask, but that's just me personally.

Well, after this review, I'll probably never think about this game again. Adios, Friendo, the time we spent together was good at best.

Alan Wake is a fantastic use of the medium and a not-great game. There are obviously both great and horrible things about the game, but it is a cult classic for a reason. Let me explain.

The experience of going through the story is dragged once and time again by the repetitive gameplay. The fact that you're CONSTANTLY faced with the same type of enemies is exasperating, and things get even worse when you take into account the limited stamina system. You can cheese most of the combat secuences by dropping flares and running towards the light, which can be both a good and a bad thing. The resources you can loot are ubiquitous, so at least there's that. But not all of the gameplay is bad. I found the gunplay to be decent and the flashlight mechanics are honestly quite fun to use.

The story, more precisely, the narrative, is where the game really shines. I feel like I've seen the plot before, but the combination of media Alan Wake uses sets it apart. The game itself is fine, but the way the pages you keep finding complement the narrative (one of the few cases where I didn't mind reading notes in a game), the way the radio broadcast adds background information in an organic and fairly entertaining manner, and the way the TV shows and programs add to the uncanny vibe (mixing real people with video game characters, stuff looks weird) make the game more than the sum of its parts.

On top of that, we can't forget about the characters. For some people they are annoying, me (partly) included. But by the end of the runtime, which is not that long really, you learn to love those goofy little guys. The whole cast feels like a mix between Twin Peaks and some really edgy TV show about a snob writer. Whatever.

Alan Wake is a product of its time. The gameplay feels slow and slightly out of fashion, but the way the story is told alternating between different types of media really adds to the experience and elevates what could've been a fairly boring game. I'd say it's worth it to play the game (even with its shortcomings) and immerse yourself in a timeless Pacific Northwest experience.