By Dean Moses
Game: Alan Wake Remastered
Platform: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X
Rating: T for Teen
Cost: $29.99
Alan Wake holds a special place in many gamers’ hearts. Its combination of unique gameplay features and engrossing storytelling worthy of a novel endeared itself to fans, leaving them clambering for a sequel. However, in the 12 years since its initial release no such continuation emerged. Yet, Epic Games and Remedy Games have dished out the next best thing—a remaster.
Alan Wake follows the protagonist as he fights to rescue his beloved wife from a strange evil. A writer, Wake travels to Bright Falls, a fictional Washington town for a vacation with his spouse. While attempting to garner some inspiration to begin another book, his wife is taken by an unknown dark force leaving him in a desperate battle to rescue her.
Literally battling the darkness, Wake must use his flashlight, flares, flashbangs, and even flare guns in order to overcome enemies possessed by the darkness. Drawn forward with a narration by Wake that would make Stephen King proud, players are thrust into an intriguing and entertaining world.
When Alan Wake released on the Xbox 360 back in 2010, it was rather a looker. Bolstered by great lighting effects, it wowed at the time, yet it has not aged so gracefully in the decade since. Remedy has, well…remedied this thanks to a complete graphical overhaul. The textures on Wake’s jacket pops and his flashlight appears vivid as it passes over lush foliage. However, even with the improvements some aspects are still a little rough around the edges.
It is most noticeable in cut scenes due to the janky lip syncing and rough looking character models, it is apparent that this title is one from a bygone era. Even though this can be jarring, it really doesn’t diminish the experience, which, even all these years later, still provides a memorable experience.
So, who is this game for? Should returning fans or newcomers plan on picking it up. Thanks to its budget price point, it is a worthy title for those who adore it, and want to see it at its best, and those who missed it the first time around. Moreover, with this re-release the hope that we could, at long last, receive a sequel is renewed.
