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Alan Wake's American Nightmare review: Paging Mr. Scratch
"Our destinies and inspirations are shaped by lies, myths and fables." So reads a manuscript page hidden in Alan Wake's American Nightmare, explaining humanity's love of a good story. It states that our favorite fictional characters are dearer to us than the real people we pass on the street every day.It's hard to deny the truth of it. We admire our favorite characters, dream of them, of playing a part in their story. That was the power of the original Alan Wake. It swept players up in its characters and their story, inviting us to help craft it and see it through to the end. American Nightmare attempts to recapture the same magic, flipping the script for something less horror and more sci-fi camp, though the end result is somewhat less elegant.%Gallery-146594%
Deja Review: Alan Wake (PC)
We're of the firm opinion that your time is too precious, too valuable to be spent reading a full review for a game that was already reviewed many, many years ago. What's the point of applying a score to a game that's old enough to be enrolled in the sixth grade? That's why we invented Deja Review: A quick look at the new features and relative agelessness of remade, revived and re-released games. Alan Wake's development tale was almost as troubled as the ordeal faced by the game's titular character. After a long creation process, which included ditching a PC version that was always planned, Remedy's first original title since 2003 failed to light up sales charts (despite critical praise).For fans of Wake's story, its inability to reach 'best-seller' status raised fears of an end to his fiction. Developer Remedy Entertainment defied that notion, announcing Alan Wake's American Nightmare, which is set to hit Xbox Live Arcade later this month. Retaining rights from Microsoft -- its original partner in Wake's release -- Remedy finally made good on its promise to bring Wake to the PC, and Alan Wake's second-printing does little to disappoint.%Gallery-147824%
Alan Wake's final dev diary before American Nightmare
If you've been trying to avoid story details about Alan Wake's American Nightmare, we'd strongly recommend skipping this developer diary. In it, Alan Wake writer Sam Lake fills in some of details about what happens after the first game and explains Mr. Scratch. Steer clear if you don't want to know!
Max Payne 3 staying true to its roots, but will be uprooted for mobile
The Max Payne series, originally created by Alan Wake's Remedy Entertainment, follows a few traditions -- no driving, no brawling, and an emphasis on blazing noir-style gunplay. None of this is going to change in Max Payne 3, Rockstar said in this week's Asked & Answered session."As we've stated in the past, we're working very hard to ensure that we're being faithful and true to the heritage of Max Payne -- and the heart and soul of Max Payne gameplay has always been as a pure shooter," Rockstar said. Max will have melee opportunities in close-quarter combat, but otherwise Rockstar has "no intention of betraying that to introduce driving/racing or brawling elements."Rockstar also provided a brief update on its mobile installment of the original Max Payne, saying it should see an official launch in the next couple months, with a release date to be announced soon.Rockstar fields more questions about Remedy and Max Payne 3 on its Asked & Answered page.
Death Rally pulls into Android Marketplace in March
Remedy's downloadable darling, Death Rally, is pulling off the iOS highway and heading for Android country. A preliminary launch goes down in Canada today, ahead of Death Rally's planned worldwide release in March.Death Rally boasts 4 million players on iOS. The version going out to Android owners next month sports all of the flashy rims and gigantic spoilers of its iOS counterpart.
Alan Wake's doppelganger sends an 'American Nightmare' trailer
Mr. Wake never got the vacation he was looking for in the original Alan Wake, and it doesn't look like things are going to get any better for the embattled writer as he faces off against doppelganger Mr. Scratch in American Nightmare. At least we know the hero's journey doesn't end here.
Alan Wake's second dev diary for his American Nightmare
The latest developer diary for Alan Wake's American Nightmare sheds a little light on the downloadable title's new tone. This time around, the game takes on a "pulp action" feel with elements of B-movies, sci-fi and urban legends, according to Remedy's Sam Lake. See for yourself in the video above.
Alan Wake PC editions illuminated, not scary anymore
Nordic Games has revealed the contents of its Alan Wake PC editions -- collector's and standard -- which are set to hit Steam on February 16 and retail shelves on March 2. The standard edition includes the full game and The Signal and The Writer DLC packs on one disc, the original soundtrack on a second, six post cards, seven stickers, a poster and a manual.The collector's edition includes everything in the standard edition, plus audio commentary and background information from developer Remedy Entertainment that can be switched on during the main game. It also has "The Alan Wake Files," 144 pages of evidence complied by in-game author Clay Steward, and a third disc with a making-of feature, the history of Remedy, trailers and behind-the-scenes content.Alan Wake is set to hit Steam in downloadable form on February 16, at $30 for the standard edition and $35 for the collector's edition, though without the discs and "premium packaging" promised in both retail forms.
Remedy not done with Alan Wake
Remedy believes in a future for Wake.Matias Myllyrinne, CEO of Remedy, told us at DICE 2012 that the studio isn't done with its literary protagonist after launching Alan Wake on PC and Alan Wake's American Nightmare on XBLA later this month."We're crowd pleasers, we'll do what the audience wants, 'cause usually that's the good business move as well," Myllyrinne responded when we asked what's next for Wake. He also reconfirmed the studio owns the IP, so the future of Wake is theirs to write."Hopefully, we'll have one or two surprises. I don't know, I'm loving the digital [distribution] side and we'll see how that evolves, but just being able to give people quick access to bite-size chunks of gaming is maybe more fun than working for years and years -- taking the phone offline and closing the shutters-- at least, this way, you're able to react much more quickly to people's desires and wishes."With Remedy directly publishing Alan Wake on Steam, we wanted to know if the studio had an internal figure for sales that would dictate resources being put into a full-blown sequel."I don't know. I don't know if that would dictate it. If it bombs [laughs], then that's certainly a signal, but we're fairly confident that it'll do well. We'll certainly continue with Wake. Right now we're focusing on getting the PC out next week, then getting American Nightmare out. And it's too early to talk about what our next move is, but we've obviously put things into motion."
Alan Wake's American Nightmare illuminated in latest dev diary
When Alan Wake makes his second appearance on the Xbox 360 this year in Alan Wake's American Nightmare, he's bringing more than just his flair for writing and a new set of clothes to the fight. He'll have ... umm ... a nail gun, too!
How Death Rally became a hit with little marketing
Alan Wake wasn't the biggest hit at retail. Developer Remedy needed to refill its coffers after that expensive project. Death Rally achieved just that, recouping its own development costs in three days and going on to build an audience of millions.A new Forbes feature details just how Remedy got Death Rally to take off. The developer spent only $10,000 on marketing, the article notes -- $5,000 on PR, and $5,000 on a FreeAppADay offer. Two months later, the price dropped to $0.99, at which point the game hit a worldwide #1 on the App Store.Then the game went free, and any losses have been offset by in-app purchases.The rest of the story is familiar for iOS hits -- frequent updates and expansions, and a potential Android release. Remedy EVP Aki Järvilehto told Forbes that he estimated Android gamesto generate roughly 30% of the revenue of the same iPhone game.
Origin adds seven more publishers, Alan Wake on the way
Make way, make way! EA needs space to trot through the seven publishers joining its Origin digital distribution service. Sure, chances are you only recognize one, maybe two, of these names, but it's important when the company is trying to make a show against Steam.The seven new publishers include Remedy Entertainment, which will add Alan Wake after the Steam exclusivity window, slong with Focus Home Interactive, Iceberg Interactive, Strategy First (Disciples, Jagged Alliance), Macro Games, Selectsoft and Legendo Entertainment.EA currently boasts 9.3 million registered Origin users, with a million daily active users.
Alan Wake dated, priced on PC
"Specificity" is such a succulent word. Alan Wake for PC has an official launch date of February 16 on Steam, with other digital distribution outlets following. The standard offering will be available for $29.99, which will include the core game plus "The Signal" and "The Writer" DLC.There's also a Limited Collector's Edition for $35. It includes the content found in the regular edition, adding the Alan Wake Files Book, developer commentary and extended soundtrack.On XBLA, Alan Wake's American Nightmare begins on February 22. Rampaging donuts and cholesterol-injecting nurses not yet confirmed.
Alan Wake getting boxed PC version from Nordic Games
For those not content with simply downloading the PC version of Alan Wake next month, Nordic Games has some good news. The Swedish publisher will be releasing a boxed version of Alan Wake's PC outing, with an official launch date to be announced in "the next few days."Like its downloadable cousin, the boxed version will also include both of Alan Wake's DLC episodes, "The Signal" and "The Writer."
XBLA House Party kicks off on Feb. 15 with Warp
We knew that Warp, Alan Wake's American Nightmare, Nexuiz, and I Am Alive would be participating in Microsoft's 2012 Xbox Live Arcade House Party promo, and we knew that the party would start on February 15, but we didn't have a clue as to how the specifics of the boogeying would progress. Today, Microsoft revealed that Warp will be the party's first attendee, arriving on February 15 for the nice price of 800 MS Points ($10), followed up in the proceeding three weeks by Alan Wake's American sojourn, the almost-but-not-quite-Quake multiplayer shooter Nexuiz, and one man's journey through the depths of human survival in I Am Alive.Like Warp, Nexuiz will only cost 800 MS Points ($10), while the other two titles will run 1200 MS Points a pop ($15). As always with these XBLA promos, Microsoft is offering an extra 800 free MS Points to anyone who grabs all four games within a defined time period (between Feb. 15 and Mar. 13 in this case). As for what to do with those extra points ... well, might we suggest hanging onto it for the upcoming launch of Fez? 'Cause that's totally what we're doing.
Alan Wake alights on Steam in February, answers your FAQs now
Remedy Games is gearing up to launch Alan Wake on Steam this February -- the developer's first self-published title -- with a hefty FAQ session on its forum. Steam's Alan Wake will not be available on Mac, won't use Games for Windows Live and won't have a demo. It will use Steamworks, support keyboard and Xbox 360 controller input, and will include The Signal and The Writer DLC packs with the game.Alan Wake on Steam can support stereoscopic 3D through NVISION 3D, although it is performance-intensive, Remedy warns. For normal (see: "unfancy") gameplay, the expected system requirements are fairly standard, as you can see -- no flashlight required -- just after the break.
Remedy seeking AI help on unannounced 'AAA console project'
Have you been waiting for the chance to move to the greater Helsinki, Finland area and want to work on a "groundbreaking AAA console project" with the folks behind the Max Payne and Alan Wake franchises? That's what Remedy Games is offering, outing work on another new game from the studio beyond the upcoming Alan Wake-goes-lumberjacking XBLA entry. Specifically, Remedy is seeking a "Gameplay/AI Programmer" to help work on the project, which will apparently use "the next iteration of Remedy's in-house engine," an engine that previously powered both Alan Wake games. If the chance to assist in the project isn't enough to win you over, experienced AI programmer, Remedy also promises a competitive compensation package, including "a good old Finnish sauna!" And now here we are, picturing a Finnish sauna full of game developers. There goes the day!
Remedy: Alan Wake's American Nightmare campaign lasts 4-5 hours
GameTrailers has posted a handful of new videos on Alan Wake's American Nightmare. In the first video (embedded above), Remedy's Oskari Häkinnen discusses the game and its creation. One of the more interesting tidbits he revealed is that the average run through the campaign should last around four to five hours, depending on how much of the optional content you choose to pursue. You'll find two more videos after the break. The first is a walkthrough of Ghost Town, one of American Nightmare's 'Fight till Dawn" (i.e. Horde Mode) maps. The second is a campaign walkthrough which we refuse to watch because, frankly, we don't want to spoil a single moment before the game launches during Microsoft's Xbox Live House Party event.
Take a long walk through Alan Wake's American Nightmare
Alan Wake is wordy enough, right? Enough word pictures about his American Nightmare; let's look at some actual moving pictures.
Remedy's iOS Death Rally downloaded 1.8 million times
In a recent interview Remedy Entertainment 's Oskari Häkkinen mentioned that the company's iOS experiment, Death Rally, has moved 1.8 million units. The game launched early last year, with Remedy Managing Director Matias Myllyrinne telling us at E3 that the game recouped its development costs in three days and took eight months to develop. "Death Rally was our first step into that direction, and I'm sure that we'll do something else in the future as well," Remedy creative director and writer Sam Lake told Edge. Remedy is currently working on another smaller scale experiment with Alan Wake's American Nightmare, an XBLA-based pseudo-sequel to the critically acclaimed psychological thriller, which will finally hit PC early next year.
