• Summary: After the events of Alan Wake, our eponymous hero finds himself embroiled in a new adventure in Arizona, where his own words again hold the key to defeating his evil twin, the malevolent Mr. Scratch, who spreads darkness where he goes. Now more experienced at dealing with the weird and horrific, Wake is determined to turn the tide. [Microsoft] Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 71
  2. Negative: 0 out of 71
  1. Feb 29, 2012
    95
    This is what I hope the future of downloadable games will be; top notch AAA production values in the form of small $12-$15 packages. Alan Wake's American Nightmare is an excellent game, which will surely whet the appetite of fans of the original for the sequel.
  2. Feb 28, 2012
    91
    If you are fan of Alan's painful journey, you've probably already downloaded this gem and know the greatness that continues to please fans again and again. If you have never played this title, I urge you to play the original to understand the story mode as this game does little to explain the past and expects you to already know the events that have happened.
  3. Apr 12, 2012
    70
    The combination of light-hearted side-story and new ideas results in a title that is fun to play, even with the repetition of stages. [May 2012, p.64]

See all 71 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 3 out of 26
  1. This is real Alan Wake experience. The critic just don't get it what Remedy does. This game is filled with some great atmosphere, great shooting mechanic, it's tense and satisfying. And all that for only 1200 MS Points, it's a steal. This is a true love letter for all Alan Wake's fans out there, and for all newcomers which is a great achievement. Long live Remedy! Long live Alan Wake! Expand
    • 4 of 6 users said yes
  2. My opinion having played it now: if you liked the original game, you'll like this one. The game tells the story of an alternative Alan Wave, which appears in the introduction of a TV show that is playing on a roadside Motel, and this show is happening in a small roadside Motel of Arizona, and in an episode of Night Springs (that Alan wrote in the past), where he must try to escape, while facing his nemesis, Mr. Scratch, his alter-ego. The gameplay follows the same principles of the original retail game, with you walking across the landscape, facing many different enemies from the shadows, with your flashlight to weaken them (LT) and a gun to kill them (RT, with a range of weapons such as guns, nail guns, signal pistols, etc.). Spread across the scenarios there are collectibles (manuscripts), which are also used to open special weapons caches, that contains more powerful guns; these caches are spread both in Campaign mode and in Arcade mode. The points of the the objectives are shown with stars, in a top screen radar, and other things like ammunition, each one with a different icon: also at the Motel that exists in this town, there is a garage where he meets characters from the previous game, and of course the classic spots below the lamps, where he regenerates and is protected by the light above. The graphics are very good for an XBLA game, though not having all the full refinement of the Retail version, but that's a barely noticeable deatil: also the lighting effects are good, but not as much as the original, in variations and shadows. The opening CG is made with a mixture of real shooting and CG footage, very cool indeed. Regarding the game's audio, it features music and performances really well done, one of the highlights in the game, plus a atmosferic narrator for the story. American Nightmare also features an Arcade mode, where, in many different scenarios you face Wave after Wave of enemies, with ammunition and weapons scatered around, to survive these waves (similar to Horde mode in Gears). The aim in this mode is to try to survive till dawn (there is a clock with 10 minutes on the top screen, which is the remaining time until dawn), and try to attain a maximum score, killing the enemies. The game, in resume, is clearer than the previous one, and the enemies and weapons are more varied, with an improved enemy AI, while maintaning the core gamplay of the original Alan Wake: the game is more than recommended for 1200MS Points, for those who enjoyed the first, which will not be disappointed at all. My score fo this one: 8,6. Expand
    • 3 of 3 users said yes
  3. 2
    Nothing of value was experienced, the first game was cheapened, and generally this was one of the most tasteless and vapid games I have ever played. It was like eating a bread sandwich. The gameplay mechanics offer no challenge, the story goes nowhere, there are no characters to speak of, the delivery is nonsense and it feels nothing like the original. The main villain is like Jason Vaughees if he was played by Eddie Murphy. If you enjoyed the original, avoid this game. It is a complete betrayal and even taken on its own principles the story is terribly executed, the design is lazy and the combat is somehow even more boring the original. At least there you felt threatened. It also makes you play through the same three levels three times before you can finish the game. You thought Bioware took the piss recycling the same map over and over again? Try recycling your entire GAME. I award you a great, big, round fail, and may the deity of your choice offer pity, for I have none. Remedy, you have been moved off my 'must buy' list, and into the 'avoid unless world sequels with delight at passing' list. I made it just for you. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 26 User Reviews