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I don't think it was overrated. Had a good plot, great atmosphere. It was a fun game for me. Maybe Stevil can give a more detailed explanation of his love for the game. Game of the Year? Not to me but overrated? Not really in my opinion.
Perhaps people didn't "forget" about gt5 because it is part of an established, successful series of games whilst Alan Wake was a brand new i.p.
Are you trying to say a racing game that reused assets from the previous 4 games and released to critical reviews and a myriad of problems is somehow more deserving of a game that got great reviews and created a real story with atmosphere and depth?
And sure, no one forgot about GT5, they just stopped giving a shit. The fact that Alan Wake did so well despite everyone 'forgetting' is a tribute to it's strengths.
And sure, no one forgot about GT5, they just stopped giving a shit. The fact that Alan Wake did so well despite everyone 'forgetting' is a tribute to it's strengths.
Well, Time isn't exactly the definitive source of video game knowledge, so you shouldn't be too angry about their choice. If it helps you cope, I don't think Alan Wake sold very well, so apparently you aren't the only person who didn't think it was game of the year. It wasn't even a nominee for Destructoid's GOTY.
I thought Alan Wake's story was pretty weak and the game was long enough to overstay it's welcome as far as the gameplay was concerned but I thought before it got tired it was pretty tense and exciting, and it's atmosphere some of the rendering was pretty top notch stuff. Nah, it ain't overrated.
I love Alan Wake, but I can see where you're coming from (even if you're being really vague).
It's pointless to compare it to Silent Hill though, because that series was also originally a homage to old Stephen King stories anyway (The Mist is an obvious reference). Also, Harry Mason never had a troubled marriage. His wife had died in the original game. Neither did he have a stalled career. In fact, Silent Hill starts with a car crash, while Alan Wake starts with a nightmare followed by a haunted cabin.
Not really seeing the comparison there.
Also, Silent Hill and Alan Wake have two completely different approaches. One's a psychological horror and the other is more about the difference between being creative and the act of writing.
I'll admit Alan Wake doesn't push any boundaries at all. The episode structure is lifted from Alone in the Dark 5, while survival horror games like ObsCure already toyed with the "fight with light" aspect. There were also far too many sections set in the woods and it lagged because of some repetitive enemies.It's not original in terms of gameplay...
...but...
Alan Wake is successful in terms of its presentation, whether it be graphics or the narrative. It's easily one of the best looking games of the year (whatever the system). There's a brilliant format in the shape of a TV series that, rather than act as gimmick, helps with the tense/release dynamics of the action. There's some pefrectly timed moments of comic relief and the way the plot unfolds through manuscripts and the TV are genius little touches. Especially with the manuscripts, which turn your usual intel collection hunts, into something more foreboding (when exactly is that chainsaw guy going to appear?)
I thought Wake was one of the best characters we've seen in a long while. He's a brilliantly fleshed out character, who turns from self-loathing prick into a genuine hero and a master of his own craft. It's just a shame that a lot of people didn't get the subtlties behind his earlier actions (he's a drug abusing celebrity and an alcoholic). The problem with a lot of gamers nowadays is that they want everything spelled out for them.
Like I said though, Alan Wake didn't push any boundaries, nor did it reinvent the wheel, but what it did do was turn in a solidly written adventure with a great cast, brilliant soundtrack and some inventive twists with the idea of Tom Zane and the Departure manuscripts.
Was it my GOTY?
Not quite sure yet. It wasn't as disposable as Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (which was amazing, but relied far too heavily on a twist to be replayable). It lacked the sandbox investigation of Deadly Premonition too. Worst of all, I think Remedy made the mistake of leaving too many strands open for a sequel (that might not happen).
But after those nitpicks, it's was a near-perfect rollercoaster of a game and I think it was very successful in that regard.
It's pointless to compare it to Silent Hill though, because that series was also originally a homage to old Stephen King stories anyway (The Mist is an obvious reference). Also, Harry Mason never had a troubled marriage. His wife had died in the original game. Neither did he have a stalled career. In fact, Silent Hill starts with a car crash, while Alan Wake starts with a nightmare followed by a haunted cabin.
Not really seeing the comparison there.
Also, Silent Hill and Alan Wake have two completely different approaches. One's a psychological horror and the other is more about the difference between being creative and the act of writing.
I'll admit Alan Wake doesn't push any boundaries at all. The episode structure is lifted from Alone in the Dark 5, while survival horror games like ObsCure already toyed with the "fight with light" aspect. There were also far too many sections set in the woods and it lagged because of some repetitive enemies.It's not original in terms of gameplay...
...but...
Alan Wake is successful in terms of its presentation, whether it be graphics or the narrative. It's easily one of the best looking games of the year (whatever the system). There's a brilliant format in the shape of a TV series that, rather than act as gimmick, helps with the tense/release dynamics of the action. There's some pefrectly timed moments of comic relief and the way the plot unfolds through manuscripts and the TV are genius little touches. Especially with the manuscripts, which turn your usual intel collection hunts, into something more foreboding (when exactly is that chainsaw guy going to appear?)
I thought Wake was one of the best characters we've seen in a long while. He's a brilliantly fleshed out character, who turns from self-loathing prick into a genuine hero and a master of his own craft. It's just a shame that a lot of people didn't get the subtlties behind his earlier actions (he's a drug abusing celebrity and an alcoholic). The problem with a lot of gamers nowadays is that they want everything spelled out for them.
Like I said though, Alan Wake didn't push any boundaries, nor did it reinvent the wheel, but what it did do was turn in a solidly written adventure with a great cast, brilliant soundtrack and some inventive twists with the idea of Tom Zane and the Departure manuscripts.
Was it my GOTY?
Not quite sure yet. It wasn't as disposable as Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (which was amazing, but relied far too heavily on a twist to be replayable). It lacked the sandbox investigation of Deadly Premonition too. Worst of all, I think Remedy made the mistake of leaving too many strands open for a sequel (that might not happen).
But after those nitpicks, it's was a near-perfect rollercoaster of a game and I think it was very successful in that regard.
I agree with everything Stevil just said above me but I'd like to add a couple things. The sound engineering in the game is far and away the best in any video game I've ever played. It is the only game or movie that has made me wish I had a surround sound system. From the sound effects to the music the sound is just perfect in Alan Wake. Combine that with all the positives that Stevil just mentioned and you have a GOTY contender easily. I'm not surprised Time picked is as their GOTY and I wouldn't be surprised if several other places pick it too. For the record, my personal pick is Halo Reach.
Also, I've only played the first DLC for Alan Wake and so far it is the only part of the game I didn't like. It was way too combat heavy and too light on the story. I hope the second DLC is better but I won't be surprised when it's more of the same
Also, I've only played the first DLC for Alan Wake and so far it is the only part of the game I didn't like. It was way too combat heavy and too light on the story. I hope the second DLC is better but I won't be surprised when it's more of the same
"Alan Wake is successful in terms of its presentation, whether it be graphics or the narrative. It's easily one of the best looking games of the year (whatever the system). There's a brilliant format in the shape of a TV series that, rather than act as gimmick, helps with the tense/release dynamics of the action. There's some pefrectly timed moments of comic relief and the way the plot unfolds through manuscripts and the TV are genius little touches. Especially with the manuscripts, which turn your usual intel collection hunts, into something more foreboding (when exactly is that chainsaw guy going to appear?)"
The ongoing tv series used to parallel the game narrative was done much better by Max Payne. As for the manuscripts, their quality, and that of Wake's constant voice-over, left much to be desired - for a writer, Wake can't write for shit. Whether or not the manuscripts provided tension and forboding is another mystery; I felt they went too far to spoil upcoming surprises.
When all is said and done, when has anyone cared what Time Magazine thinks?
The ongoing tv series used to parallel the game narrative was done much better by Max Payne. As for the manuscripts, their quality, and that of Wake's constant voice-over, left much to be desired - for a writer, Wake can't write for shit. Whether or not the manuscripts provided tension and forboding is another mystery; I felt they went too far to spoil upcoming surprises.
When all is said and done, when has anyone cared what Time Magazine thinks?
What Stevil and DaedHead8 said.
In my experience what Alan Wake did well was that it grabbed a hold of me. I felt compelled to continue the game to see what happens next. The gameplay was balanced nicely between run and gun and the conservative survival horror approach. To anyone who missed out on Alan Wake, you really should pick it up. It's among the most memorable experiences I've ever had in gaming.
In my experience what Alan Wake did well was that it grabbed a hold of me. I felt compelled to continue the game to see what happens next. The gameplay was balanced nicely between run and gun and the conservative survival horror approach. To anyone who missed out on Alan Wake, you really should pick it up. It's among the most memorable experiences I've ever had in gaming.
@Byronic: Considering the fact Dean Koontz is a complete hack when it comes to writing, it's not really suprising that Wake is an average writer too. Luckily for us, the game focuses on his ability and understanding of the craft rather than tell us that he's a genuinely good writer at every turn.
That's the point. Wake is technically a bad writer (even Sarah Breaker tells him he has faults), but turns out he has the imagination to create. It's not about the actual words or the limitations of his quality (or even Sam Lake's limitations).
Personally, I agree that manuscripts can be dodgy at times because they're not actual pages. They're truncated paragraphs of information for the player to digest. It was either that or have Wake endlessly witter on about superflous things that had no bearing on the story; therefore killing the pace.
They did right thing.
As for Wake's voice over actor, he was brilliant. I liked that he narrated the shit out of everything. It's what someone like him would do. You'll notice that towards the end that he stops doing it as the situation becomes bigger than his plight to find Alice. I thought that was a nice touch, but rarely does it get picked up on.
That's the point. Wake is technically a bad writer (even Sarah Breaker tells him he has faults), but turns out he has the imagination to create. It's not about the actual words or the limitations of his quality (or even Sam Lake's limitations).
Personally, I agree that manuscripts can be dodgy at times because they're not actual pages. They're truncated paragraphs of information for the player to digest. It was either that or have Wake endlessly witter on about superflous things that had no bearing on the story; therefore killing the pace.
They did right thing.
As for Wake's voice over actor, he was brilliant. I liked that he narrated the shit out of everything. It's what someone like him would do. You'll notice that towards the end that he stops doing it as the situation becomes bigger than his plight to find Alice. I thought that was a nice touch, but rarely does it get picked up on.
