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Alan Wake

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Alan Wake PC vs Xbox 360: Gah! So pretty on max settings

1:00 PM on 02.21.2012

Alan Wake PC vs Xbox 360: Gah! So pretty on max settings photo

I spent some time with Alan Wake on my beastly [brag] PC rig (featuring dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 580 cards) last night, running this already pretty game on max settings. As you'd imagine, it looks sooo much better than the Xbox 360 original.

We already knew that Remedy knows their PC sh*t, but Alan Wake PC is a really pretty reminder. There's so much detail on every surface that I feel like I missed a lot my first time around. In fact, running at top settings, the cutscenes look crappy compared to the game graphics.

The game's lighting was already fantastic, but it really shines with all settings cranked. And in the dark, shadows are even more...shadowy. The enhanced light and darkness in the PC version somehow makes the game more scary, even if you've played through it before. Also scary, but in a different way: the high resolution product placement.

In our gallery below you'll see some comparison shots. Of course, the dull, blurry ones are the Xbox 360 screens. To really appreciate the PC version you'll need to see it in motion.

launch gallery
(7 photos)

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Alan Wake Timeline

News & Videos ( 13 )Galleries ( 7 )

Mega64: Alan Wake and his magical flashlight photo

Mega64: Alan Wake and his magical flashlight
10:00 PM on 10.08.2012

GOG running great Alan Wake deals through this weekend photo

GOG running great Alan Wake deals through this weekend
5:00 PM on 05.12.2012

Alan Wake hits two million sales, has legs as a series photo

Alan Wake hits two million sales, has legs as a series
8:40 AM on 03.13.2012

Alan Wake PC vs Xbox 360: Gah! So pretty on max settings
1:00 PM on 02.21.2012

Alan Wake PC recoups costs within 48 hours photo

Alan Wake PC recoups costs within 48 hours
1:30 PM on 02.20.2012

Alan Wake on PC: Launch, tech features detailed photo

Alan Wake on PC: Launch, tech features detailed
11:00 AM on 02.02.2012

Boxed PC version of Alan Wake also on the way photo

Boxed PC version of Alan Wake also on the way
2:00 PM on 01.26.2012

Alan Wake finally makes it to PC next month photo

Alan Wake finally makes it to PC next month
3:00 PM on 01.22.2012

Alan Wake confirmed for PC in 2012 photo

Alan Wake confirmed for PC in 2012
11:15 AM on 12.14.2011

Alan Wake Updates, Screenshots, & Videos

Tags:#Alan Wake #Gallery #PC #Remedy

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Legacy Comments (will be imported soon)

EarthWindNFire

PC games have the potential for looking better, unfortunately you are required to run Windows on that same hardware. Since Windows sucks so much, you're also required to run anti-virus and firewall software to plug an endless list of security vulnerabilities and bad design decisions. Drivers and other crap constantly poll for hardware changes, wireless devices and system updates. You basically need 2X the hardware on a PC with Windows to match the same performance as you would get on an XBox.

onomatapedalo

What a shocker! PC beats 6 year old games console which costs as much as an individual graphics card! :P

Still, very pretty.

Stains

For all of those who keep saying you cannot see the difference, be sure to download the full resolution photos and compare those. If you still cannot see the difference, then check your eyes.

prev 50 comments

Alan Wake

5:00 PM on 05.22.2013

Alan Wake Humble Bundle and sale on Xbox 360

At yesterday's Microsoft press conference, Remedy Studios unveiled its new game Quantum Break which looks to mean there won't be any more Alan Wake games coming any time soon. It seems fitting then that the two series titles...

Alasdair Duncan

#Xbox 360

10:00 PM on 10.08.2012

Mega64: Alan Wake and his magical flashlight

After the Bayonetta 2 video, this one is much, much, much better. Here is Mega64 at their finest -- harassing the crap out of people! I love how after a minute Derrick just fesses up to being a d*ck for kicks and giggles. Th...

Tony Ponce

#Remedy

5:00 PM on 05.12.2012

GOG running great Alan Wake deals through this weekend

If you're looking forward to Alan Wake's American Nightmare on PC but prefer your experience DRM free, then get on this sale from Good Ole Games! This weekend through the May 15 you can pre-order Alan Wake's American Nig...

Holly Green

#Steam

6:30 PM on 05.08.2012

Alan Wake's American Nightmare headed for PC

Like Alan Wake before it, the once-Xbox exclusive Alan Wake's American Nightmare is coming to PC. Featuring both a story and arcade mode, this standalone title originally debuted in February. Due on May 22, it'll set you...

Holly Green

#Steam

6:30 PM on 04.13.2012

Weekend PC download deals: Interplay, Alan Wake, Wargame

It may not be a holiday weekend but there's still plenty of great PC download deals to be had. Gamersgate has knocked 33% off the recently released PC version of Alan Wake (both the standard and collector's editions). Meanwhi...

Alasdair Duncan

#video

7:30 PM on 04.05.2012

Mr. Scratch responds to critics of American Nightmare

In this new promotional video for Alan Wake's American Nightmare, the villainous Mr. Scratch presents a slideshow of critic responses to the game, replying to them and adding his own commentary. Our very own Maurice Tan is e...

Conrad Zimmerman

#video

10:30 PM on 04.04.2012

The DTOID Show: Borderlands, Aliens, and SPACE BATTLES!

Not all at the same time, of course. That would be a little too badass, even for you. It doesn't mean there's not plenty to be excited about, though! Today's Destructoid Show covers a lot of topics, including discussion...

Tara Long

#Remedy

4:15 PM on 03.22.2012

Remedy is working on a game for next gen consoles

Remedy Entertainment is hiring for their next game, which they say is a project 'targeted at future generation consoles.' A posting on Remedy's community forums let members know that more than 20 job openings will open up in ...

Dale North

#Xbox 360

8:40 AM on 03.13.2012

Alan Wake hits two million sales, has legs as a series

Remedy's Alan Wake has topped two million sales on Xbox 360 and PC, becoming enough of a success to secure its future as a series. "We've moved over two million copies -- that's including PC," Franchise development head...

Jim Sterling

#Xbox Live Arcade

7:15 PM on 02.22.2012

The DTOID Show: Alan Wake's American Nightmare REVIEW!

While the rest of you were off rabblerousing this President's Day, I was perfectly content to stay home the whole weekend knowing that I had five boxes of Girl Scout cookies and a fresh download of Alan Wake's American Night...

Tara Long

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timeline following:
⇓ Alan Wake

10:00 PM on 10.08.2012
Mega64: Alan Wake and his magical flashlight

5:00 PM on 05.12.2012
GOG running great Alan Wake deals through this weekend

8:40 AM on 03.13.2012
Alan Wake hits two million sales, has legs as a series

1:30 PM on 02.20.2012
Alan Wake PC recoups costs within 48 hours

Oh PC gaming, that hotbed of piracy where developers can never make any money. That's where Remedy was able to make back all of its porting and marketing costs for Alan Wake within a 48-hour period. DAT PIRACY! The game becam...more

11:00 AM on 02.02.2012
Alan Wake on PC: Launch, tech features detailed

Alan Wake will hit Steam on February 16 and will follow a bit later at retail in something they call a "game box." Pricing is confirmed at $29.99 on Steam. What you'll get with this PC version is high-res graphics and support...more

2:00 PM on 01.26.2012
Boxed PC version of Alan Wake also on the way

Despite boxed copies of PC games being largely irrelevant to many of us for years now, someone is still buying these things. We know that Alan Wake will see a release on Steam sometime next month, and now Nordic Games has ste...more

3:00 PM on 01.22.2012
Alan Wake finally makes it to PC next month

It's taken over six years, a canceled version and a petition, but Alan Wake is finally coming to PC this February. And some people though the wait for the Xbox 360 version was a long one. Remedy revealed its month of release ...more

11:15 AM on 12.14.2011
Alan Wake confirmed for PC in 2012

Yesterday a Stream registry hint told us that Alan Wake might be coming to PC. Now we have the official word from Remedy Entertainment. Alan Wake is coming to PC in 2012. Nice! I can't wait to play it at maxed-out settin...more

More Alan Wake News

Alan Wake

5:00 PM on 05.12.2012
GOG running great Alan Wake deals through this weekend

6:30 PM on 05.08.2012
Alan Wake's American Nightmare headed for PC

6:30 PM on 04.13.2012
Weekend PC download deals: Interplay, Alan Wake, Wargame

View all Alan Wake

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Legacy Comments (will be imported soon)

timeline following:⇓ Alan Wake

timeline following:
⇓ Alan Wake