Our editors hand-pick these games based on a broad criteria: similar games that cater to the same player base, or games that share similar themes, gameplay mechanics, or artistic styles.
But I’m not ready to let this one go yet. I waited more than 10 years to finally play Alan Wake, and now that I’ve seen the credits roll, I can’t get it out of my mind. It’s firmly sunk its teeth into me, and like with many of the other greats, I’ll be returning to this world again and again for years to come.
Alan Wake was and still is an occasionally bizarre action horror game, with some lovely set-pieces, fun combat, and what I hope is a slightly tongue-in-cheek sense of self-importance. I think it stands up remarkably well 11 years after its original release and this Remaster is the best way to experience what I consider to be a modern classic.
Remedy's latest game, Control, sets up a hell of a scenario for an Alan Wake sequel. It would be a shame if we didn't get it, especially after reliving this classic game. It holds up well and shows us just how strong Remedy is as a storyteller.
Alan Wake Remastered is a solid visual update to a classic survival horror game that first debuted on the Xbox 360. Though the gameplay does on occasion feel a little dated by today’s standards, the game’s solid writing and upgraded graphics make it an excellent game nonetheless.
Alan Wake Remastered shines a flattering light on one of the Xbox 360’s most beloved games, which is now available for PlayStation users to enjoy for the very first time. If you’re a returning visitor to the town of Bright Falls or fancy delving into the darkness to find out what all the fuss is about, don’t sleep on Alan Wake Remastered. Now, how about that sequel, Remedy?
But if you've never played Alan Wake before, or you're itching to re-experience Alan's descent into the darkness, this is absolutely the way to do it. Control's AWE DLC tells us we'll soon be returning to Bright Falls, and this year's Deer Fest is a perfect excuse to enjoy the amped-up beauty and inky darkness of Cauldron Lake.
It’s the grim veneer that not only saves Alan Wake, but like his flashlight, burns through the darkness that is its cloying gameplay. Alan Wake’s sense of place, its themes, the mood it creates, makes it a classic, and nothing — not even time — can overshadow that.