Ever since its release, Alan Wake Remastered has been garnering interest from players in the community. They brought back the cult classic supernatural thriller that raised anticipation throughout. Yet, how does Alan Wake Remastered really perform?
A Storytelling Masterpiece in the Supernatural Thriller Genre
What makes a game receive so much love from the community? Well, Alan Wake achieved it with their unconventional gaming storytelling. They provide the gamers with an enticing narrative that is difficult to set aside.
The game begins with Alan Wake, a writer who resides in a Twin Peaks-esque Pacific Northwest town. He lives a life amidst the surreal and terrifying landscape that mimics a Stephen King novel. Then, they provided him with a complex backstory that features a meta-narrative to keep everyone constantly asking. It won’t be a wonder if you end up with trust issues after playing the game since it’ll have you guessing what’s real and not.
Also, what makes the game’s narrative intriguing is its plotting and memorable characters. Alan, alone, fascinates many as a protagonist for his flawed characterization. They described him as an impatient and self-entitled writer yet deeply loving. Besides, other supporting characters also add intrigue and depth to the storyline with their roles.
Gameplay: A Mixed Bag of Tension and Frustration
Tick off the narrative, then let’s dive into its gameplay. The complex gameplay can be a deal breaker to some players new to exploring thriller games. Alan Wake Remastered is more than your traditional action shooter game.
The combat mechanics here revolve around the usage of flashlights to weaken enemies before dispatching them. This creates the unique and intense gameplay loop that many look forward to. However, there were some noted gameplay issues such as in controls and character.
Alan Wake Remastered struggled with controls as they can feel clunky by dodging and sprinting in the same key. Meanwhile, some players pointed out the lack of athleticism which leads to frustrating combat scenarios. Yet, it keeps the character grounded by not becoming superhero-like with its skills.
Technical Performance: Remaster with Caveats
Above everything promised in Alan Wake Remastered is the improvement of visuals and all original DLC. The game transports players into a dark, dreadful atmosphere to fully immerse themselves in a supernatural setting. However, it is unavoidable for them to experience technical issues, especially using PCs.
Frequent reports showed repetitive graphical glitches like black screen moments. This usually appears unexpectedly lasting up to ten to fifteen minutes on Windows. Sometimes, it takes longer and more often on Linux systems. These issues somehow prevent players from maximizing the gameplay experience it offers.
Who Should Play Alan Wake Remastered?
A very simple answer will be those players who have been interested in playing this classic thriller game. However, on another note, Alan Wake Remastered appeals more to those who want a break from traditional games.
Most definitely, Alan Wake Remastered is for narrative enthusiasts who have an interest in complex and surreal storytelling. Yet if you prefer full-blown action games, then this title may not be for you. It is also a good option to try on first before heading straight into the upcoming Alan Wake 2 2025 release.
Final Verdict: A Flawed but Fascinating Experience
An old but gold thriller classic, Alan Wake Remastered, deserved the noise it made. It has very unique gameplay that fits the supernatural thriller it promised to everyone. Also, they provided an interesting storyline to make Alan Wake Remastered engaging. Now, it’ll only depend on your type of thriller game to decide if you should play the title.