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Alan Wake Xbox 360
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Metascore
83 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 100 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 735 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: Alan Wake is a psychological action thriller, a unique new take in the world of gaming. The game is set in an idyllic all-American small town and its surroundings in the state of Washington. Alan Wake, the game's protagonist, is a bestselling horror writer, who writes a novel about his darkest nightmares. In the game, those nightmares come true. As with Remedy's previous games, story and atmosphere are fundamental elements. The game features a massive, open world for the players to explore. The game design is mission based with the player as the driving force behing the action, and as with their previous games, Remedy again focuses completely on delivering the best possible single player experience. The use of light is a significant gameplay element. Remedy has developed proprietary new technology to support the gameplay of the title and to push the high definition visuals to the next level. [Remedy]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 87 out of 100
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 100
  3. Negative: 0 out of 100
  1. The Escapist
    100
    A brilliantly told story, excellent voice acting, and an atmosphere so unnerving you'll sleep with the lights on for a month. If only it came with a bottle of instant amnesia so that you could play it for the first time more than once.
  2. Joystiq
    100
    Ultimately, Alan Wake is driven -- as is any good story -- by the impulse to see what happens next. It offers up a believable world, characters worth caring about, enjoyable combat and a narrative I wanted to follow.
  3. Game Over Online
    72
    Alan Wake is ambitious, occasionally funny, and distinctly memorable; like I said before, I don't regret playing it at all. My abiding impression of the game, though, is of wasted potential. We've been waiting for the next great horror game since Silent Hill 2, and this could've been it.

See all 100 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 78
  3. Negative: 8 out of 78
  1. JON_RYO
    8
    Alan wake is a very enjoyable game, I hadn't played it but saw that it had good reviews so recently got it on XBL, the game was not that long but it kept my interest, the plot and take on the storyline is a very interesting mixture. One of my favourite parts of the game is once you finish a chapter yoàu get an alan wake logo on screen and a song plays from start to finish it just adds an extra relief and a little while to relax before starting up again. Found the game to be like a mini tv series of which you are the main character, no doubt the intention of the producers and the gameplay, the story and gameplay mesh well together with the creative directing. There are a few niggles, the gameplay does begin to get repetitive by the end and I couldn't bring myself to replay the game, once through was enough. So.... Not perfect but an enjoyable gaming adventure, if you find it on the cheap it's worth picking it up.… Expand
    • 5 of 5 users said yes
  2. NGardner
    6
    There are many things wrong with this game but it was still playable and enjoyable enough for me to finish. The things that stop me rating this game higher are quite lengthy for a game 5 years in development and I think that is the biggest issue I have it shouldn't have half of these problems. The lip sync animation is so bad it is laughable, all the animation in fact feels dated. The resolution low giving the environments a muddy blurred feeling with none of the crispness you expect in a quality title. Also there was a very noticeable draw distance for the grass and in may downhill sections you can see it appearing in a wave before you. In the cut scenes there is some terrible compression artefacting the made me feel like I was watching a youtube video from 5 years ago. there was also in these scenes noticeable texture fill and detail pop-in's. Fortunately the movement and combat mechanic are quite solid if a little repetitive by the end of the game. The only real issue I have around the gameplay is the frequency that you are relieved of your inventory and then sent off to reacquire even your standard inventory items of torch and revolver is almost schizophrenic and which leaves you never knowing when to use or save your more powerful weapons. If you can look past these flaws then Alan Wake is a reasonably enjoyable experience but I very much doubt that I will be returning to this one.… Expand
    • 7 of 18 users said yes
  3. VermillionHaze
    4
    After wandering around in the dark fighting the same exact lumberjacks with a flash light is your idea of a good time then Alan Wake is a masterpiece. Unfortunately for everyone else it's simply a "Twin Peaks" rip off with repetitive mind numbing gameplay, constant narration and a overall plot likened to one of M Night Shyamalan's failed screenplays. Go to point A, fight lumberjacks, ambush, collect thermos, go to point B, quick time event, cutscene, rince and repeat 10 times. Save your money and pick up a real survival horror game like Deadly Premonition or Resident Evil.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 78 User Reviews

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