Alan Wake

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 18,470 reviews

story6.7k positive mentions

grinding288 negative mentions

The story and atmosphere are widely praised for their depth and engagement, drawing strong influences from Stephen King and 'Twin Peaks'.
The unique light vs. dark gameplay mechanics create an immersive and tension-filled experience that keeps players hooked.
The graphics and sound design contribute significantly to the game's captivating atmosphere, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.

The gameplay becomes repetitive and tedious over time, with limited enemy variety and simplistic mechanics.
The character development is inconsistent, and some players find the narrative boring or lacking emotional investment.
The intrusive product placements and advertisements detract from the immersive experience, leading to frustration among players.

story
13,573 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
47%
4%
The story of "Alan Wake" is widely praised for its depth and engaging narrative, drawing strong influences from the works of Stephen King and the atmosphere of "Twin Peaks." Players appreciate the unique episodic structure that enhances the storytelling experience, with many noting that the plot twists and character development keep them invested throughout the game. However, some reviews highlight that the gameplay can become repetitive and detracts from the overall experience, leading to mixed feelings about the balance between story and action. Overall, the narrative is considered the standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of story-driven games.
- “This game has a great fantasy story, the twists in the story are mind-blowing, and the ending too, this is definitely one of the best stories in gaming lore.”
- “The story alone is reason enough to recommend it—a masterfully crafted blend of psychological horror and gripping mystery that keeps you hooked from start to finish.”
- “Alan Wake is a masterclass in storytelling, with a plot that twists and turns like a Stephen King novel come to life.”
- “I completed the six-chapter main game and the additional unlocked two special chapters, and I was not disappointed in the end, but also I was ready for things to wrap up, because both the story and the gameplay were starting to drag.”
- “The gameplay is basic and repetitive, the story’s cheesy and not all that entertaining.”
- “The story is convoluted and the gameplay is simplistic and not particularly fun.”
gameplay
6,159 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
51%
15%
The gameplay of "Alan Wake" is characterized by its unique light vs. dark mechanics, where players must use light sources to weaken enemies before they can be harmed. However, many reviews highlight that the gameplay becomes repetitive and tedious over time, with limited enemy variety and a lack of significant progression in mechanics. While the story and atmosphere are praised for their depth and engagement, the gameplay often feels clunky and simplistic, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience.
- “The use of light as a weapon against the shadowy enemies is both innovative and symbolic, adding depth to the gameplay and narrative.”
- “The gameplay mechanics, combined with the clever use of light and shadows, create an immersive and tension-filled experience that will keep you hooked until the end.”
- “The gameplay is simple yet satisfying, with the unique mechanic of using light to weaken enemies before attacking them.”
- “The gameplay is basic and repetitive; the story is cheesy and not all that entertaining.”
- “The gameplay gets super tedious after a while, but what a world they crafted.”
- “The gameplay is seriously as repetitive as everyone says.”
atmosphere
2,546 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
32%
2%
The atmosphere in "Alan Wake" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively blending elements of psychological horror and thriller. Reviewers highlight the game's stunning visuals, dynamic lighting, and sound design, which together create a tense and eerie environment reminiscent of works by Stephen King and the TV show "Twin Peaks." While some note that the gameplay can become repetitive, the compelling narrative and rich atmosphere keep players engaged throughout the experience.
- “The atmosphere is amazing, the story captures and the assignments and scenes are nicely versatile.”
- “The game's atmosphere is unparalleled—moody forests, abandoned cabins, and dynamic lighting work together to create a genuinely unsettling experience.”
- “Alan Wake delivers an intriguing atmospheric story let down a little by its somewhat stale gameplay, whereby the drawn-out flashlight shining on the enemies before knocking them out for good doesn't quite feel like the pinnacle of fun.”
- “The atmosphere is consistently unsettling, but the game managed to feel fun and enjoyable while maintaining its creepy feeling throughout.”
- “The atmosphere is where Alan Wake truly shines.”
- “The atmosphere is dark and creepy, but it's not really scary; no jump scares or anything like that.”
graphics
2,410 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
41%
4%
The graphics of "Alan Wake" have generally received positive feedback, with many players noting that they still hold up well despite the game's age, originally released in 2010. The atmospheric lighting, detailed environments, and artistic design contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience, although some character models and facial animations show their age. Overall, while the graphics may not meet modern standards, they are often praised for their ability to enhance the storytelling and create a captivating atmosphere.
- “Even years after its release, Alan Wake’s visuals hold up remarkably well.”
- “The graphics still look decent, with the misty forests and eerie town setting capturing a sense of isolation and dread.”
- “In terms of graphics, the game couldn't be called a masterpiece.”
- “The graphics are dated and the combat is fairly repetitive, but it's still pretty good.”
- “The graphics, combined with a haunting soundtrack and expertly crafted sound design, create an immersive environment that feels alive.”
music
1,807 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
45%
1%
The music in *Alan Wake* has been widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the game's narrative and emotional depth. Many reviewers highlighted the exceptional soundtrack, featuring original compositions by the band Poets of the Fall, as well as well-chosen licensed tracks that play at the end of each episode, contributing to the game's cinematic feel. Overall, the music is considered a standout element, elevating the experience and leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “The soundtrack is fantastic and features a few unique tracks by Poets of the Fall.”
- “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 spine-chilling soundtrack, composed of a mix of atmospheric tunes and haunting melodies, perfectly complements the narrative, enhancing the emotional impact of each scene.”
- “There's music only at the end of every episode.”
- “The soundtrack is non-existent.”
- “The ambient music is ok at best and ill timed at worst.”
grinding
316 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
8%
91%
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its repetitive and tedious gameplay, particularly in combat encounters that often lack variety and become monotonous over time. Many players expressed frustration with the mechanics, noting that the novelty quickly wears off, leading to a sense of boredom and a desire to push through just to experience the story. While some appreciated the narrative and atmosphere, the overall consensus is that the gameplay can feel like a grind, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “The enemy encounters were varied and not tedious.”
- “The collectibles were not tedious and out of the way, but did make me go off the beaten path some.”
- “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.'”
- “The gameplay gets super tedious after a while, but what a world they crafted.”
- “Killing enemies is tedious and boring thanks to the pop-gun you're stuck with most of the game.”
- “The combat is fun (in isolation), but due to the monotonous way that combat encounters are designed and how often ammo and resources are dolled out, the game feels tedious to play.”
humor
235 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in "Alan Wake" is often described as campy and self-aware, with characters like Barry providing comic relief amidst the darker themes. Players find humor in the game's quirky dialogue, absurd scenarios, and intentionally awkward facial animations, which can lead to both intentional and unintentional laughs. While some moments are genuinely funny, others come off as cringeworthy, contributing to a unique blend of horror and humor that keeps the experience engaging and entertaining.
- “Alan Wake is at its best when it is campy, trying (successfully) to be funny, and focused on action.”
- “The first part of the game plays really seriously and then in the middle of the game it is playing out like the spoof of a horror movie and then again at the end everything gets explained and wrapped up very seriously and you are left on a cliffhanger wanting more but you are left with an unforgettable funny but serious wild ride of a game with decent gameplay and a great story.”
- “Barry, your manager, is probably one of the best sidekicks I’ve seen in a game with his humorous, pushy personality.”
- “Barry runs his mouth and it's not funny to even listen to.”
- “It's not funny to see the main character get mildly mad if the character is getting you mad too with his stupidity.”
- “The writing is predictable, heavy-handed, and unfunny.”
replayability
164 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
66%
12%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while there are achievements and collectibles that encourage exploration, the linear story and gameplay mechanics limit the overall replay value. Some players find it enjoyable enough for a second playthrough, especially to experience different difficulty levels or collect hidden items, but others feel that once the story is known, there is little incentive to return. Overall, it seems that while there are elements that can enhance replayability, the game is primarily a one-time experience for most players.
- “Achievements encourage exploration and add replayability.”
- “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.”
- “The replayability is very low, and it’s incredibly boring.”
- “Limited replayability though, very linear overall.”
- “The game lacks replayability, as once the story is completed, there's nothing really drawing you to come back.”
optimization
161 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
48%
14%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and ability to run well on lower-end systems, while others report significant stuttering and frame rate drops, particularly at higher graphics settings. Overall, many users acknowledge that while the game is visually appealing and generally well-optimized, it still suffers from occasional performance issues that detract from the experience.
- “The game runs smoothly with no significant crashes or performance issues.”
- “I will say the game is extraordinarily well-optimized; I've been playing it on my low-spec PC and Steam Deck at max settings, and it runs like a dream.”
- “Alan Wake is very well optimized and comes with a plethora of PC options that belies its console origins.”
- “The optimization problem occurs especially when we run the game in ultra graphics mode.”
- “It has some of the worst optimization I have ever seen; I have a high-end PC and I struggle to hit 60fps.”
- “My computer meets or exceeds the recommended computer specs, yet even on the lowest settings, it is unplayable because of performance issues.”
stability
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
2%
77%
Overall, the stability of the game is mixed, with many players reporting a generally smooth experience with minimal bugs and glitches, particularly on modern hardware. However, some users encountered significant issues, especially with the remastered version, which is criticized for graphical glitches and performance problems, particularly on AMD systems. While most agree that the original version runs well, there are still occasional minor bugs and control issues that can detract from the gameplay experience.
- “The game runs great on older hardware, very stable with no crashes.”
- “Other than those complaints, the game still looks great, sounds great, runs great with few frame hiccups, and is very immersive to play.”
- “This PC version also runs great, so it's well optimized.”
- “I refunded this game primarily because the game freezes and requires force quit in Windows if you alt-tab the game.”
- “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.”
- “The gameplay is sometimes buggy and on 'normal' difficulty somewhat unfair, but it's not as frustrating as playing a well-known and mostly hate-loved FPS with the slowest internet connection possible.”
emotional
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
14%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses, with some players finding it deeply engaging and resonant, particularly through its heartfelt storyline and impactful soundtrack. However, others criticize the narrative as boring or repetitive, leading to a lack of emotional investment in the characters and their struggles. Overall, while the game has moments that can evoke strong feelings, opinions vary significantly on its effectiveness in delivering a compelling emotional experience.
- “The licensed songs at the end of each episode are a brilliant touch, adding emotional weight to the story.”
- “It’s a game that resonates on an emotional level, leaving players pondering its story and themes long after they've finished playing.”
- “The characters are well-developed, and their relationships with Alan and each other add depth and emotional resonance to the overall experience.”
- “I just can't ... mediocre, repetitive gameplay inside a mediocre, boring story.”
- “Unlikable characters, boring story.”
- “A repetitive chore only to be interrupted by boring story sequences.”
character development
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
49%
5%
Character development in "Alan Wake" is widely praised for its depth and nuance, particularly in the portrayal of the protagonist and his relationships, which enhance the game's narrative and atmosphere. While some reviews note inconsistencies in character growth and pacing, the overall consensus highlights the game's exceptional storytelling and well-crafted character arcs, making it a standout experience in the horror genre. Despite minor criticisms, many players feel a strong connection to the characters, contributing to a compelling and immersive journey.
- “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.”
- “What truly sets Alan Wake apart is its exceptional character development.”
- “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.”
monetization
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The monetization aspect of the game is heavily criticized for its intrusive and pervasive product placements and advertisements, which detract from the immersive experience. Players frequently encounter blatant ads for brands like Verizon, Ford, and Energizer, leading to a sense of frustration and immersion-breaking moments. While some players acknowledge the presence of in-game advertising as a common practice, many feel it is excessive and negatively impacts the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “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.'”
- “Playing Alan Wake is like diving into a thrilling novel, only to find some pages are just ads for Ford and Verizon.”
- “The only thing that bugged me about this game was the in-game advertisements.”