Alan Wake

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 12,136 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
Alan Wake Game Cover
Starting at $2.08Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store Get on Epic Games Store

In Alan Wake, you play as the titular best-selling thriller author who experiences his nightmares becoming reality in a small town. To uncover the mystery and save his wife, you must navigate through psychological horror and combat darkness-infused enemies with light-based weapons. The game features a dynamic weather system and real-time day/night cycles that significantly impact gameplay.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 12,136 reviews
story4,476 positive mentions
grinding194 negative mentions
  • story9,144 mentions

    The story of "Alan Wake" is widely praised for its intricate narrative and engaging plot, drawing heavy inspiration from the works of Stephen King and the atmosphere of "Twin Peaks." Players appreciate the episodic structure that enhances storytelling, with many finding the plot compelling and filled with twists, although some criticize it for being convoluted or predictable at times. While the gameplay can be repetitive and clunky, the rich narrative and character development keep players invested in the experience.

    • “The story is absolutely awesome and I would watch the hell out of this if it was a movie or TV show!”
    • “Alan Wake is a gripping psychological thriller with a fascinating plot and exciting atmosphere.”
    • “The story is the highlight of this game, filled with twists and turns that keep players on the edge of their seats.”
    • “A rather underwhelming experience with mediocre gunplay and an oh-so-meta story that never goes anywhere.”
    • “The story is fine; however, it is filled with events that happen for no reason.”
    • “The story becomes this mysterium with scattered pages of alan's new book which he didn't write and clues from his past to save everyone from the catastrophe that is about to come.”
  • gameplay4,109 mentions

    The gameplay of "Alan Wake" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and simplistic mechanics. While the unique light-and-darkness combat system adds an interesting twist, it often leads to a monotonous experience as players find themselves engaging in similar encounters throughout the game. Despite these criticisms, the compelling narrative and atmospheric design keep players invested, making it a worthwhile experience for those who prioritize story over gameplay complexity.

    • “The gameplay is fun, it can get repetitive but I think there’s enough variety that it doesn’t become too stale.”
    • “There is something to be said for the combat as well; it is probably the most interesting gameplay loop I've seen in a shooter where most of the combat is not focused on actually shooting, but on disarming the enemy because until you disarm them, they are impervious to bullets.”
    • “The gameplay is a perfect blend of intense action and strategic use of light mechanics.”
    • “Good story and narrative, jank gameplay which gets boring halfway through the game.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and the levels are quite similar throughout the game.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly repetitive.”
  • atmosphere1,716 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Alan Wake" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, drawing strong comparisons to the works of Stephen King and the TV series "Twin Peaks." Reviewers highlight the game's effective use of lighting, sound design, and environmental storytelling to create a tense and foreboding experience, although some note that the repetitive gameplay can detract from the overall atmosphere. Overall, the game's rich narrative and atmospheric depth are considered its standout features, making it a compelling experience for fans of psychological thrillers.

    • “The atmosphere in Alan Wake is like walking into a room where someone just finished telling a ghost story.”
    • “The dynamic lighting and shadows contribute to the overall immersive experience, creating an atmosphere that is both haunting and beautiful.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, and the game's sound design does an excellent job of keeping players on edge.”
    • “The atmosphere falls flat as well with repetitive locales and sound design.”
    • “The game really loses the horror atmosphere because in just about every room there is a handful of samey dudes to shoot at.”
    • “While the game's atmosphere and lighting effects occasionally enhance the tension, overall, the horror elements are limited.”
  • graphics1,635 mentions

    The graphics of "Alan Wake" have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the atmospheric visuals and lighting effects that enhance the game's eerie setting. While some noted that the graphics show their age, particularly in character models and animations, others highlighted the game's ability to create stunning environments that still impress today. Overall, the visuals are considered solid for a game of its time, contributing significantly to the immersive storytelling experience.

    • “The graphics are impressive, even in 2024, and the music, scenery, story, and overall feel of the game are simply brilliant.”
    • “The graphics hold up well, and really, they are the only thing that feels even a little dated.”
    • “The combination of stunning graphics and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack makes every moment in this world a visual and auditory delight.”
    • “What bothered me the most though were the graphical bugs.”
    • “The graphics are incredibly ugly, but the game is like 12 years old so I won't be too harsh on it on that.”
    • “The graphics have aged poorly, but this is still a game you should have played from start to finish at least once.”
  • music1,185 mentions

    The music in "Alan Wake" is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the game's eerie narrative and emotional depth. Composed by Petri Alanko and featuring original songs by the band Poets of the Fall, the soundtrack is noted for its haunting melodies and well-placed licensed tracks, which contribute significantly to the game's overall tension and mood. However, some players mention that certain tracks can become repetitive over time, particularly during combat sequences, but the overall consensus is that the music is a standout feature that elevates the gaming experience.

    • “The music, courtesy of old gods of asgard aka poets of the fall, sets the mood perfectly, ensuring you're always just a little on edge.”
    • “The soundtrack, dubbing and setting honor the story.”
    • “The spine-chilling soundtrack, composed of a mix of atmospheric tunes and haunting melodies, perfectly complements the narrative, enhancing the emotional impact of each scene.”
    • “It's fun at first but quickly becomes as repetitive as a pop song chorus.”
    • “The music for these fights is insanely boring and repetitive; every time a fight ends, it plays the same instrumental bit, which gets old quickly.”
    • “The soundtrack does suffer from a problem that a lot of games with ambient music have: it gets repetitive.”
  • grinding208 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for its repetitive and tedious gameplay, characterized by a lack of enemy variety and monotonous combat mechanics. Players often find themselves slogging through encounters with the same few enemy types, leading to frustration and boredom, especially as the game progresses. While some appreciate the story and atmosphere, many agree that the gameplay becomes a chore, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “It's not tedious in the least, it's actually so damn frightening at times that it shatters the stereotypical notion of 'I have a gun, so I feel relatively safe.'”
    • “What really makes it an excellent game is the depth of the storyline; it's very intriguing and at the same time isn't too tedious.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “The combat is repetitive and tedious, Alan's lack of stamina is sometimes ridiculous.”
    • “It quickly becomes very repetitive and tedious, as you proceed to fight the same enemies over and over again.”
    • “The pacing and character movement made the game feel tedious, and although the story was good, I was bored and rushed through most of the reading later in the game.”
  • humor153 mentions

    The humor in the game is a notable aspect, blending dark comedy with unintentional hilarity, often stemming from quirky character interactions and absurd scenarios. Players appreciate the campy elements, self-referential jokes, and memorable lines from characters like Barry, which provide comic relief amidst the horror. While some find the humor to detract from the game's tension, many enjoy the balance of suspense and levity, making it an engaging experience overall.

    • “It's funny, scary, and thought-provoking all at once.”
    • “An excellent story that perfectly balances horror with the occasional funny moment from Alan or his wacky support character Barry.”
    • “The game made me laugh, jump, and nearly beat a tear out of me at some points.”
    • “It's not funny to see the main character get mildly mad if the character is getting you mad too with his stupidity.”
    • “The one guy with the axe that does exactly the same thing over and over has some of the most ridiculous quotes; I'm not sure if it's supposed to be funny or scary - because it's neither, it's cringeworthy.”
    • “The writing is predictable, heavy-handed, and unfunny.”
  • replayability111 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with many players noting its linear story and basic gameplay as limiting factors. While some appreciate the opportunity to explore collectibles and multiple endings, others feel that the lack of significant new content or challenges after the initial playthrough diminishes its long-term appeal. Despite these criticisms, the engaging narrative and atmospheric setting encourage some players to revisit the game for the experience.

    • “This content adds to the replayability and rewarding nature of the game.”
    • “There's a great incentive to explore levels and that's what makes the game really replayable.”
    • “The collectibles give the game some replay value, especially if you want to come back and play nightmare mode to collect the rest of the manuscript pages, or work on achievement progress.”
    • “I can't imagine it having replay value currently, but it is worth one playthrough if you just want something to do.”
    • “While the game offers a good amount of exploration and side quests, the main story is relatively straightforward and may not offer enough replayability for some players.”
    • “The game lacks replayability, as once the story is completed, there's nothing really drawing you to come back.”
  • optimization89 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance and minimal issues, while others experience significant frame rate drops and stuttering, even on high-end systems. Many users noted that the game is well-optimized for PC, but there are concerns about performance on certain hardware configurations, particularly with AMD graphics cards. Overall, while some players enjoy a stable experience, others find the optimization lacking, suggesting room for improvement.

    • “Performance was excellent for me, and should be very good for anyone with a halfway decent computer.”
    • “The game was obviously optimized for recent hardware and it shows.”
    • “The game seemed well optimized and I ran into minimal issues in terms of bugs and graphical glitches, as well as an acceptable amount of graphical options, which is always appreciated in this day of rushed and shoddy console ports.”
    • “It has some of the worst optimization I have ever seen; I have a high-end PC and I struggle to hit 60fps.”
    • “Warning: do not buy this game, its dead, the optimization sucks; I don't recommend it at the moment.”
    • “My computer meets or exceeds the recommended specs, yet even on the lowest settings, it is unplayable because of performance issues.”
  • stability67 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance with minimal bugs, others experience significant graphical glitches, particularly with the remastered version on AMD systems. Some users noted occasional frame rate dips and minor control issues, but many found the game immersive and enjoyable despite these drawbacks. In general, the original version is recommended for a more stable experience, while the remaster may frustrate players with its persistent visual problems.

    • “Other than those complaints, the game still looks great, sounds great, runs great with few frame hiccups, and is very immersive to play.”
    • “No glitches, no hitches; sometimes the FPS dips to ~48 FPS during some intense heavy loading sequences, but it's still great.”
    • “The game runs great on PC; it is hard to tell this is a console port.”
    • “Remastered version has graphic glitches that made the game unplayable.”
    • “As for the remaster, there are heavy visual glitches with AMD CPUs making it unplayable for me, and without the game receiving a patch in over a year, it's doubtful I will ever play it on PC; I will have to download it on a console.”
    • “In terms of the 'remaster' that's released on Epic's launcher, don't buy that; it's been out for a while and is still super buggy, and there are times when the 'remaster' actually is the opposite of an upgrade.”
  • emotional60 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, with many appreciating the heartfelt storyline, strong character development, and high-quality voice acting that enhance emotional engagement. However, some critiques highlight a repetitive gameplay loop and a convoluted plot that detracts from the overall emotional impact. Overall, while the game succeeds in creating emotional moments and a gripping atmosphere, opinions vary on its depth and execution.

    • “You become emotionally invested in the characters, making the story's twists and turns all the more impactful.”
    • “The spine-chilling soundtrack, composed of a mix of atmospheric tunes and haunting melodies, perfectly complements the narrative, enhancing the emotional impact of each scene.”
    • “The game story speaks in an emotional rollercoaster that sucks you deeper like quicksand; it gets you hooked easily.”
    • “A repetitive chore only to be interrupted by boring story sequences.”
    • “Boring story, not very in depth.”
    • “Cinematic cutscene... then walk around scenario, talk with NPCs, simple and light-boring story...”
  • character development47 mentions

    Character development in "Alan Wake" is a prominent aspect, with many reviewers praising the depth and nuance of the protagonist, Alan, and his relationships, particularly with Alice and Barry. While some critiques mention a lack of sufficient development at times, the overall consensus highlights a well-crafted narrative that enhances player connection to the characters and their harrowing journey through Bright Falls. The game's atmospheric storytelling and the integration of collectible manuscript pages further enrich the character arcs, making it a standout feature despite some gameplay criticisms.

    • “The character development in Alan Wake is exceptional.”
    • “Character development is another strength of 'Alan Wake.' The titular character is portrayed with depth and nuance, and his journey through the dark and twisted events of Bright Falls is both personal and harrowing.”
    • “Very atmospheric, great storytelling, character development is all top-notch; you really do worry for Alan as you progress through the game.”
    • “The main character, Alan, lacks sufficient character development throughout the game.”
    • “The repetitive gameplay, slow pacing, weak character development, insufficient horror elements, and technical flaws all contribute to a disappointing experience.”
    • “The game thrusts you into the action without spending sufficient time on character development and then tells you that you need to do x, y, and z if you wish to save various people you don't care about.”
  • monetization38 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism for its pervasive and intrusive in-game advertising, which many players feel detracts from the overall experience. Notable brands like Verizon, Ford, and Energizer are prominently featured, leading to a perception of the game as overly commercialized and reminiscent of outdated marketing tactics. While some players are desensitized to product placement, the consensus is that the frequency and visibility of these ads can be jarring and diminish immersion.

    • “However, the blatant advertising in the game is like stumbling upon a neon billboard in the middle of an ominous forest – it shatters the illusion faster than you can say 'product placement.'”
    • “Alan Wake feels incredibly unfair even on the easiest difficulty, the enemies are super fast, the flashlight goes through a pack of batteries every 5 seconds, and whilst you're doing all that and trying to shoot ads with your gun, you have to dodge within certain time frames for a 'cinematic dodge' or you get hit.”
    • “The only thing that bugged me about this game was the in-game advertisements.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Alan Wake

Play time

11hMedian play time
12hAverage play time
11hMain story
26hCompletionist
5-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 42 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News