2013.10: Alan Wake's American Nightmare

Time took to complete: 6hours? (a very rough guess)

OK, it makes sense in the story but it doesn't mean I like revisiting the same places, doing the identical things over and over. This must be when MS had size limits on XBLA games because well yeah, everything is just recycled over and over. Locations, enemies, events. Again, I know it makes sense story wise, it does however NOT make for an enjoyable game.

That was highly disappointing. Another thing I did not care for was the difficulty. Or lack of, even. I dispatched mobs of enemies no problem what so ever. And as the game had no difficulty option, my enjoyment was also dented there. I loved sweating for bullets and resources in the original Alan Wake and on Hard it was such a treat to enjoy.

I know this aims for a more quirky lighter side of the franchise, but even at that it doesn't excel at....Anything. I was expecting parts like the concert part from the original game, as far as crafting quirky and fun gameplay goes but none of that here. It's just the regular gun gameplay with repeated tasks and easy to dispatch of enemies that become more a chore when they pop up than a satisfying battle.

The atmosphere does work in it's favour however, and the characters you meet are fun in the context of things and the writing, as well as the gameplay remains solid.

But overall it's just a very dull and as basic as it can get Alan Wake experience with no thrills anywhere to be found. A very disappointing;

5/10.