Just finished Alan Wake today. Very good storytelling, reminded me a lot of how Bioshock used atmosphere and story over gameplay to keep you engaged. I loved the entire ride, but...
Spoiler
pineapple the ending man. Holy pomegranate, all that work and buildup...for that. I save Alice but don't get to be with her? No mention of Barry? I love that I got to see the "Old Gods of Asgard" celebrating Deerfest, but for pineapple's sake, why do I have to be trapped in the pineappleing lake to save Alice...
Definitely recommended it to anyone - the gameplay is engaging but not difficult, it's mostly there to keep you going between story elements. There was never a puzzle or action moment that I thought "wow, this is difficult" but it was never "too easy" either. Think of it more as suspense vice "horror." Anyone else here played it, maybe someone that can help elaborate on anything I might've missed in the ending? Maybe I missed something in the game that would've given me a "good" ending or something, though I hate games that do that...
2013-03-11, 07:10 AM
Razmos
Re: Alan Wake
I loved the episodic format and how they made it look like a TV show. And there were a lot of story elements told through the game itself and through collectibles, I loved the combat and the graphics of your flashlight literally burning the enemy, and the animation of the gun shots, the enemy dissolving into sparks when they do. Also that slow motion when you dodge an attack made for some for very impressive, dramatic and fun fights.
One of the most visually appealing games I've ever played, with the added bonus of having a story and atmosphere which plays like one big Stephen King novel (King even gets mentioned a couple of times).
The DLC and the spin-off game expand on the ending slightly.
Spoiler
Alan is trapped inside his own subconscious trying to break back to reality, but in that world he is facing off against his super-villain alter-ego Mr. Scratch. One of the endings hints towards him writing a second book titled "Return", hinting at a sequel or "season 2"
I honestly can't remember much of the ending though, since I played the game years ago. One of things I remember though is that /* the dark presence */ isn't dead yet because you see it during the final Deerfest Parade.
2013-03-11, 08:12 AM
MasPan
Re: Alan Wake
Quote:
Originally Posted by Razmos
I loved the episodic format and how they made it look like a TV show. And there were a lot of story elements told through the game itself and through collectibles, I loved the combat and the graphics of your flashlight literally burning the enemy, and the animation of the gun shots, the enemy dissolving into sparks when they do. Also that slow motion when you dodge an attack made for some for very impressive, dramatic and fun fights.
One of the most visually appealing games I've ever played, with the added bonus of having a story and atmosphere which plays like one big Stephen King novel (King even gets mentioned a couple of times).
The DLC and the spin-off game expand on the ending slightly.
Spoiler
Alan is trapped inside his own subconscious trying to break back to reality, but in that world he is facing off against his super-villain alter-ego Mr. Scratch. One of the endings hints towards him writing a second book titled "Return", hinting at a sequel or "season 2"
I honestly can't remember much of the ending though, since I played the game years ago. One of things I remember though is that /* the dark presence */ isn't dead yet because you see it during the final Deerfest Parade.
Who was your favorite character? I personally liked Odin/Thor and Barry. The squeaky hammer/eyepatch were hilarious little references to their namesakes. I think I could pull off a cosplay of Alan once I'm out of the Navy and can grow my hair back out, though.
2013-03-11, 09:50 AM
Razmos
Re: Alan Wake
Quote:
Originally Posted by MasPan
Who was your favorite character? I personally liked Odin/Thor and Barry. The squeaky hammer/eyepatch were hilarious little references to their namesakes. I think I could pull off a cosplay of Alan once I'm out of the Navy and can grow my hair back out, though.
Hmm, I can't remember very well, but I did like Alan as a character.
Odin and Thor grew on me too /* once I realized how deeply connected they were to the plot and not just background characters. */
2013-03-11, 12:03 PM
MasPan
Re: Alan Wake
Quote:
Originally Posted by Razmos
Hmm, I can't remember very well, but I did like Alan as a character.
Spoiler
Odin and Thor grew on me too once I realized how deeply connected they were to the plot and not just background characters.
That second part should probably be spoiler'd.
Rose was kindof neat too, wasn't a big fan of the FBI guy though. He was just way over the top...
Spoiler
To a point that I think he wasn't "real" - ie he was someone Alan wrote into existence as a plot device, given that he was:
A: As stated before, over the top, excessive, etc - his characterization was so shallow that he seemed surreal in comparison to others
B: A loose cannon, shoot-first, alcoholic - similar to the character Alan wrote about frequently
C: From out of town with no legitimate reason to be there. The sheriff repeatedly asked to talk to his supervisor and got ignored - possibly because such a supervisor does not exist.
D: His constant referral to Alan by the names of other authors, but never his own.
