Alan Wake Preview

Remedy Entertainment's Next Action Game For PC and XBox 360

Jan 26, 2009 Vasu Chetty

From the makers of Max Payne comes a new psychological action game, Alan Wake. Remedy's rich storytelling will immerse players into a dark and disturbing world of fear.

Billed as a psychological action thriller, Alan Wake follows the story of a struggling writer who hasn’t written anything in two years. Hoping to break his writer’s block, his wife, Alice, takes him to a small town named Bright Falls.

Soon after their arrival Alan’s wife disappears, and that’s when Alan’s life falls apart. A thriller that Alan does not even remember writing starts coming true all around him, can he stay safe in the darkness that surrounds him?

Alan Wake is an action game, with a lot of enemies to fight and a big focus on driving elements. Alan will also be able interact with characters in the small town of Bright Falls, and the trailer suggests that many of the townspeople will think he is psychologically disturbed if he turns to them for help in fighting the creatures in the darkness.

How does Alan Wake compare to Max Payne?

Alan Wake is being developed by Remedy Entertainment, the geniuses behind the Max Payne games. Although short, the Max Payne titles are well known for their gripping storytelling and deep character development.

Alan Wake follows suit, and just as Max Payne’s story was delivered in a comic book style of storytelling, Alan Wake’s story will be told in an episodic style, more like a television show – with characteristic cliffhangers to boot at the end of each ‘episode.’

Special Gameplay Elements in Alan Wake

Dark and light play important factors in the game, unlike Doom 3 where players had to hold a flashlight in order to be able to see around and then switch quickly to a weapon, the flashlight in Alan Wake will actually be used as a weapon. Lights in the game will weaken his enemies, so it will be important for players to find innovative ways of using lights to kill the creatures of darkness.

Since his enemies will most likely lurk around only at night, or in dark corners, Alan will be able to spend the rest of his time during the day searching for his wife and exploring the other mysteries of the town. As a famous novelist, Alan will be readily recognized among the non-player characters, and although some may be fans, not all will look at Alan as a welcome visitor.

No Loading Screens in Alan Wake

One of the most notable things about Alan Wake technologically is that there will be no loading screens throughout the game; the game will seamlessly generate vast areas of the game world for the graphics card to render. A large, vibrant world without load screens is sure to make waves in the gaming world.

Release Date for Alan Wake

The current official release date for Alan Wake is ‘when it’s done,’ which will probably be later this year or early next year.

The copyright of the article Alan Wake Preview in Video & Online Games is owned by Vasu Chetty. Permission to republish Alan Wake Preview in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Alan Wake in the Bookstore

Alan Wake with a destroyed plane

Alan Wake basking in the sunset

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Comments

May 18, 2009 3:46 PM

Guest :

Hey my dad is called Alan Wake! Such an ordinary name can't believe he has a game named after him! My son designs groung breaking computer systems and adores airbrushing pc cases to match people's obsessions with gaming so anyone let me know what this Alan character looks like?

May 18, 2009 6:05 PM

Vasu Chetty :

I added pictures from the official site so you could see what Alan Wake looks like. Also, there wasn't space in the article to mention that the reason they chose the name Alan Wake was because with a first initial it becomes A.Wake. Something that will probably come into play with the whole dark and light style of gameplay.

2 Comments