Terror, Thy Name is Alan Wake

New thriller for 360 to put up there with ‘Silent Hill’ and ‘Alone in the Dark’

Meet Alan Wake, star of the most soul-rattling psychological hell ride since Dad gave you the birds and bees chat. The third-person button masher that shares his name is out today on 360 and marks a prolific chapter in the history of survival horror. Yup, it’s time to buy some new clean underwear.

The set-up is somewhat reminiscent of John Carpenter’s In The Mouth of Madness. Horror writer Alan Wake regains consciousness after a car crash. He’s stranded, his wife is missing and a scary story he has no memory of writing is coming to life. Now, Alan must search for answers in the pitch-black wilderness where once-fictional demons lie in wait, hungry for an Alan sandwich.

Fortunately, the phantasms can be disposed of with the game’s refreshingly unique combat system. First weaken the bastards with the glow off of your flashlight, then pop off a few rounds with your pistol (which is eventually upgraded to a hunting rifle, shotgun and explosives).

The real takeaway from Alan Wake, though, is the game’s atmosphere. It bleeds creepiness and is furthered along with tiny details, such as The Twilight Zone knockoff that plays on every TV, or the way Alan narrates in first-person as you progress through the game, just like in a book.

If you like paying to be scared, stop hiring clowns and start playing Alan Wake.

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