Alan Wake

[cold fusion 33]

Papanesta: So if I miss it that morning whilst I'm at school, I can't come home and drive to the depot and pick it up until the next day? nooooo . I would miss a day of school, but exams are more important than Alan Wake.

 

92% review? Must. Not. Read...

[OutOfTimer]

I encourage you to read the Ars Technica review of the game. They talk about intrusive advertising that Micro$oft prepared for us. By the way, it seems the game was leaked to torrents a few days ago and I suspect it's because people got angry at Micro$oft's advertising douchebaggery.

 

 

You'll see a prominent logo for Microsoft Sync inside a car, and of course the batteries you pick up throughout the game are Energizers. You'll have to collect Thermos-brand containers of coffee throughout the game as well. Huge Verizon billboards are scattered throughout. These things seem to be designed to draw your eye to them, and they simply don't fit into the experience.

 

The absolute worst case of this occurred midway through the game, during a particularly intense segment in the dark. I turned on a television (throughout the game you'll be provided some exposition or Easter Eggs via television broadcasts) and received a full-motion, full-audio commercial.

[papanesta]

If you're not used to advertising in games by now, you're not playing enough games.

[OutOfTimer]

 

If you're not used to advertising in games by now, you're not playing enough games.

LOL Give specific examples. Perhaps you only play sports games and s*hit like that so please don't give me examples of games designed for morons. In what major release do you have advertising these days? GTA, Call of Duty, Command & Conquer, Fallout, Bioshock?

[papanesta]

I can't remember the last time I played a proper sports game. Any game that contains official gun names is advertising to an extent. IV is plastered with adverts. Surely the fact they're for real products doesn't really make a difference, just adds realism. Forza 3 as well. Unless you're counting racing as a sport. Every game that contains branded cars is advertising.

 

Anyway, until I see how intrusive they are myself, I'll hold back judgement.

Edited May 6, 2010 by papanesta

[OutOfTimer]

IV is plastered with adverts.

Are you f*ucking kidding me, dude? Have you played GTA IV at all?

[Seddo]

Burnout Paradise and Rainbow Six Vegas 2 had real world adverts dotted around also.

 

92% review score...nice, looking forward to the game.

[OutOfTimer]

Alan Wake started as a graphical masterpiece with open world gameplay. I remember when I first saw it and was like "OMG." Years later it's a worn out piece-a-s*hit stuffed with advertisements and raped by Micro$oft from any value whatsoever. They turned it into a corridor shooter that could be completed within 4 hours if it wasn't for the constant driving from A to B. You're going to pay $60 to see a half-a*ssed ending promoting DLC episodes for $20 each. No wonder it has a 92% review score since Micro$oft probably paid for their hotel rooms and gave them free copies of the game. I would actually be surprised if it didn't. I guess they do want to keep receiving these free games, right?

Edited May 6, 2010 by OutOfTimer

[Seddo]

No wonder it has a 92% review score since Micro$oft paid for it. I would actually be surprised if it didn't.

I've not seen any other reviews as of yet but the link Papanesta posted with the 92% review score has nothing to do with Microsoft and i doubt they would pay off a fan site to boost a review score.

[papanesta]

IV is plastered with adverts.

Are you f*ucking kidding me, dude? Have you played GTA IV at all?

Why are you taking this personally? Of course I've played IV. And both the DLCs. There is adverts everywhere in-game, just because they're not for real products doesn't change the fact they're adverts.

 

You're talking as if you've played Alan Wake already.

[OutOfTimer]

 

I've not seen any other reviews as of yet but the link Papanesta posted with the 92% review score has nothing to do with Microsoft and I doubt they would pay off a fan site to boost a review score.

They certainly don't pay directly... only for hotel rooms and airplane tickets. You also get free copies of the game before the release date. As long as you keep awarding high scores to their games that is. I have no idea what Micro$oft did in that particular case. What I know, however, is

.

 

 

Why are you taking this personally? Of course I've played IV. And both the DLCs. There is adverts everywhere in-game, just because they're not for real products doesn't change the fact they're adverts.

GTA IV is full of in-game jokes designed to ridicule real-world advertising, which is exactly what you will be hit in the face with when playing Alan Wake. Don't forget to give them your money so they can shove more advertisment down your throat next time.

Edited May 6, 2010 by OutOfTimer

[Mister Pink]

 

Perhaps you only play sports games and s*hit like that so please don't give me examples of games designed for morons.

]Care to elaborate? I love hearing from world-weary folk like you with opinions they so kindly like to enlighten us with.

 

Actually don't bother. I've already gone off topic enough just quoting a bit of your post.

[JOSEPH X]

I went outside before and there was loads of adverts - it was like they were all designed to to catch my attention man! That's the last time I f*cking go outside...

 

The game has got 4/5 from giant bomb 8.5 from IGN and 84 from metacritic, that's a good game in anybody's book - apart from paranoid uzi-rocket modding freeloaders (no offence)

[Absurdity]

 

I encourage you to read the Ars Technica review of the game. They talk about intrusive advertising that Micro$oft prepared for us. By the way, it seems the game was leaked to torrents a few days ago and I suspect it's because people got angry at Micro$oft's advertising douchebaggery.

 

 

You'll see a prominent logo for Microsoft Sync inside a car, and of course the batteries you pick up throughout the game are Energizers. You'll have to collect Thermos-brand containers of coffee throughout the game as well. Huge Verizon billboards are scattered throughout. These things seem to be designed to draw your eye to them, and they simply don't fit into the experience.

 

Particularly in those instances, real life logos are actually favoured by developers for reasons of adding authenticity to the game. Its often the case however that a lot of these will be required by the publisher's legal department to be removed because they don't have the rights to show them.

 

I for one would like to see more of it, I think its fantastic and actually adds to the experience rather than burdens. There would certainly be a plethora of games that would suffer if use of trademark rights were tightened. The multitude of war games out on the market as a prime example.

 

As a whole, Im generally sceptical about in game advertisements and would agree that there is a line that can be crossed where those advertisements can then become forced on to the gamer. Theres nothing you've highlighted that would concern me of this line becoming infringed in Alan Wake.

[Juicefani11]

Even if this is made here in Finland, i'm very disappointed for that we PC players won't get to play this. MICROSOFT!

[OysterBarron]

ok Ive got unconfirmed reports that ASDA in the UK has it on sale now for £29 99 im not driving all the way up there just to check!

 

fuzzy gameplay on justin TV http://www.justin.tv/hypejunkies/b/263456062

Edited May 10, 2010 by oysterbarron

[papanesta]

My copy is on the way. Oh yeah.

[cold fusion 33]

Same here, LCE will be here soon . Good thing my sister is signed off of work so she can collect the package at the door!

Where did you get yours from Papa?

Edited May 11, 2010 by cold fusion 33

[papanesta]

Game, mate. Wasn't the cheapest I found it, but I wanted the double points for my reward card. Plus, guaranteed Thursday delivery.

[The N. Bellic Man]

Only a couple of days left before this game is going to be released. Nice, this didn't turn out to be another Duke Nukem Forever after all. So, some of the haters were actually wrong.

[AreXi]

Yay, they posted my Limited Edition today, meaning I'll be getting it tomorrow

[FullMetal]

I still f*cking hate it for not coming on PC. Or well, maybe they'll pull another GTAIV on this one (it would suck if there wouldn't be any LE/SE for the PC then because I really dig that stuff).

 

I mean, they have announced this to be on the PC aswell from the start... so either they've been lying all along and were never buys developing this for the PC or they're just being f*cking assholes.

[OutOfTimer]

If you're interested in Alan Wake but don't have an XBox 360 (or simply don't want to pay Micro$oft any money), visit DarkSydePhil's YouTube channel. He's the most famous gamer on YouTube and will be playing this game on release day, complete with his usual hilarious commentary. I, for one, know that it'll be more fun for me to watch him than to actually play myself (had this with a few games already).

 

Alan Wake videos will be posted on this channel: http://www.youtube.com/DSPGaming

Here's DarkSydePhil's partner channel for all the latest news: http://www.youtube.com/THEKINGOFHATEHD

And here you have all his classic playthroughs: http://www.youtube.com/darksydephil

[papanesta]

I now have it in front of me... but can't play it.

[cold fusion 33]

Hehe, I have it, and I'm playing it. Love it so far, on episode 2! Did you get the LCE Papa? Im going to have a look through the special stuff in a second

[JOSEPH X]

OMG I cant get the power in the cabin on!?! WTF? I'm supposed to go into a little outhouse and switch a generator on, but when I get to the door it wont open and there's no command. I'm only about 15mins in.

[Absurdity]

Im a cawk cobbler and I enjoy cobbling with cawk.

 

Currently about to begin chapter four and so far, finding it all just a little bit samey. Bright Falls and its locations are fantastically well designed and can often be quite atmospheric, this in no small part due to the stellar sounds of the game, but after eight hours dredging through woodland which looks all much the same and facing enemies which lack the frights, Im desperately seeking a change of pace from it. Although it does look like this could be about to happen in chapter four, as it has come bearing a little twist to the story.

 

While on the subject of moaning, finding Wakes narrations are a little grading and occasionally unwelcome. II J0SePh X II's stumper as example (Just walk through the door). In that instance I want to be able to run around the cabin scurrying like a headless chicken trying to find the generator for myself. The trouble is the game gets impatient and the answer is given to me through Wake himself, the character Im supposed to be controlling. Immersion breaks for a second and the delivery to my query feels akin to having someone sat next to me during a magic show blurt out how the magician did his trick while Im still enjoying the mystery.

 

The games combat is more enjoyable than I thought it would be. Enemies usually fail to ambush completely unpredicted, but its fun dispersing them, whether it be with a gun or by something more indirect.

 

Im particularly enjoying the way the game feeds you information through the findable manuscripts throughout the game. Reading about an event before it happens, playing with the players sense of foreboding and teasing them with an event which may be just around the corner is a pretty neat touch, I does reckon. Its only a shame then that I have to pause the game to read these manuscripts.

 

All in all, its not entirely blowing my socks off but it is an enjoyable ride. It makes for some decent late night gaming, so get tae f*ck spring time sunshine.

Edited May 15, 2010 by Rusty Balls

[The N. Bellic Man]

I have played the first two episodes, and thus far it's been absolutely great.

I like the TV-series like structure. It's easy to play just one episode at a time. Considering that there isn't that many dark hours of the night in my country at the moment it's more than welcomed. Good going so far Remedy. And I really liked that they used Roy Orbison and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds on soundtrack.

[Hell No..]

So was it worth the years of delays then?

[WF the Hobgoblin]

Got it last night. Only finished the first episode but enjoying it so far.

 

I like Twin Peaks style which was what got me interested in the game in the first place back when it was announced (that and the fact it was made by Remedy).

 

The graphics are really nice, the scenery is beautiful but the character models are iffy and the lip-syncing is pretty bad. Personally I find the ingame graphics better than the cutscenes.

 

Sound is excellent. Gameplay feels good although camera takes some getting used to.