I’ve delved much further into Alan Wake and have to say the writing gets worse – not the “hey look at that thing you can plainly see” narration, but when you start collecting pages of Alan’s manuscript you quickly realize that Alan is not the Joyce Carol Oates or even the Stephen King kind of novelist – he’s sub-Dan Brown (DaVinci Code). Not good. Also, the story is telegraphed pretty obviously and I’m pretty sure how it will end. NO SPOILERS here though and I want to emphasize – the game is admirably well made. It’s also slavishly devoted to referencing another Pacific Northwest mind-f**k that admittedly most of its audience has likely never seen. The “began brilliantly but ended badly” cult TV series (I was a fan) TWIN PEAKS.

If anyone here is planning on playing the game and has seen Twin Peaks and can remember it well enough I’d like you to take notes. I sure wish I had because the references come fast and furious. From the log lady to the timber yard to the Police dispatcher who is blond and cute as a bug to the flirtatious diner waitress to the constant coffee references (no cherry pie yet). Part of me wants to start every chapter by saying “Diane” and another is afraid there’s going to be a fish in the percolator or that Alan will find his wife “wrapped in plastic.”

I do note the absence of a trio of “omigod” brunettes is missing but Bob feels like he’s present, if only in the form of axe murderers choking in darkness. Ack, I can hear the music in my head – which is fine, but creepy. Oh, this is cheap but Alan’s agent is named Nightengale and a song called Nightengale is featured prominently in the show but kudos to Remedy for including such quality music as “Coconut” and anything by Roy Orbison.

Dare I hope for a backwards talking (and dancing) dwarf?

My only problem with Remedy’s decision to make the game such a homage to David Lynch and Mark Frost’s influential show is that their execution of the story is good enough that it detracts not from the game – but from their achievement. Alan Wake would be more impressive as a stand alone tale than a pastiche or homage (even if it is mixed with liberal doses of stuff like King’s THE DARK HALF.

I’m only 3/4 of the way through Chapter 2 so, once again, this is premature talk to an extreme. This could end badly but reviews are solid so far (even if I choose not to read any).  I am pissed about one thing and maybe Remedy, and I, took this from somewhere else, but I did have a Children’s Book idea where kids fought shadow monsters by using flashlights. Finding an acceptable way for kids to attack monsters, without alarming the “think of the children” crowd is always a challenge.

Log Lady: I carry a log – yes. Is it funny to you? It is not to me. Behind all things are reasons. Reasons can even explain the absurd. Do we have the time to learn the reasons behind the human being’s varied behavior? I think not. Some take the time. Are they called detectives? Watch – and see what life teaches.

Tags: Game Reviews