Wake up Alan
The combat system perfoms very well and there are some genuinely frightening and entertaining moments, especially when you’re up against multiple enemies and need to quicky run to a light source such as a generator to turn on a nearby lamppost to stave off the threat, or come up against a possessed object such as a JCB. But largely you'll be fighting the same type of enemies across very similar envionments, and after a while shooting things in the woods just loses its appeal. The lighting and shadow effects are exemplary, and coupled with fine audio work and outstanding visuals, you'll still get a thrill from being frightened, but the reality will soon set in when you realise that Alan Wake is much more about the story-telling experience than the actual gameplay. Run-and-gun from A to B just wasn't how we visualised the Alan Wake experience.It doesn't help that Alan feels clumsy to control, like he's carrying a sack of potatoes on his back. Indeed gameplay just plods along like Alan and despite a few shifts in pace and the enjoyment we had from searching around some spooky places -- mainly because everything looks so pretty -- it rarely thrills.
Quite simply, Alan Wake is a classic example of style over substance, though it's still abundantly clear that this is a franchise that really could have a very, very bright future. Strong story-telling up to the conclusion, high production values, and a well designed combat system are some of the highlights, but ultimately it needs more enemy variety and more exciting things to do. There's a lot to love about Alan Wake, but there's also plenty to grumble about considering the high expectations we had. If it's an intereactive drama you want then go for it, you won't be disappointed, but if you're hoping Alan Wake will thrill in other ways, you may be in for a shock that you weren't expecting.
Pros
Storyline builds nicely and keeps you hooked
Looks amazing
It's very creepy and the tense atmosphere keeps you immersed and on edge
Cons
Gameplay plods along repetitively like Alan
Huge anti-climax at the end
