Alan Wake might be the talk of the town but little is known about his re-emergence on Xbox Live Arcade. Fortunately, Xbox World magazine has delivered a sprawling eight-page feature chalk-full of details on the flannel-clad writer's newest nightmare.
The XBLA follow-up is a return to Alan Wake's open-world roots, featuring a hub structure which will see players returning to locations multiple times during the story. The game is described as "significantly bigger than any episode of the original game."
American Nightmare takes place two years after the events of the original game. Since saving Alice, his perpetually in danger other half, and confining himself to the 'Dark Place' beneath Cauldron Lake Alan has become an urban-legend.
In his absence fans of the writer have re-imagined him as a Candyman of sorts, the legend goes that Alan vanished into the woods of Bright Falls and returned as Mr Scratch, a maniacal serial killer.
Like all good urban myths uttering Mr Scratch's name a few too many times is rumored to summon him, and since things have a way of mysteriously coming true in Alan's world, the evil doppleganger has manifested and is on his way to finish Alice off, leaving a trail of bodies and video evidence of his murderous activities for Alan to find.
During the game players will learn what became of Alice, as well as Alan's agent Barry, after the events of the first game through new manuscript pages, TVs and radios, Xbox World reveals.
Although it still relies on the same combat mechanics as the original game, enemies now respond to Alan's light-based attacks in different ways that force him to switch up his tactics. A new crossbow weapon which can pierce through the darkness protecting enemies has been introduced, along with and Uzis, military-grade rifles and a nailgun, which Alan can use to overwhelm his foes.
For the full eight-page feature on Alan Wake's American Nightmare pick up Xbox World magazine issue 113, which also includes an exclusive look at Rainbow Six Patriots.
Order Xbox World magazine here and have it delivered straight to your door, or purchase a digital copy from the US App Store or UK App Store.
Comments
15 comments so far...
budge on 15 Dec '11 said:
Sounds good and i'm chuffed that the manuscripts, radio and TV stations return because i loved searching for them in AW. Let's just hope that Alan's writing is a bit better this time, eh?
metallicorphan on 15 Dec '11 said:
Looking forward to this
However,what is the killer new info on GTA5 from the cover of Xbox World?
Coulson1990 on 15 Dec '11 said:
I'm Alan Wake... The writer. Am i still horribly out of shape that i can't run for more than three seconds or my overweight friend outrunning me?
StonecoldMC on 15 Dec '11 said:
Sounds frigging Awesome!
Roll on more Alan Wake.
Roll on XBLA.
And roll on 2012
!
Master Baihu on 15 Dec '11 said:
Day 1 buy!
Black Mantis on 15 Dec '11 said:
Hopefully a release date.
Can't wait for this new episode, should shed some light (intended!) on their plans for AW2 as well.
Agent75 on 15 Dec '11 said:
Not had a chance to play Alan Wake yet, but from what I've read/heard, it's a mixed bag. But when you look at stuff like Resident Evil, Silent Hill and Dead Rising, the amount of stuff that's out there, people are getting a bit sick of this genre, more so Resident Evil which I think CAPCOM had ruined. American Nightmare has a lot weight on its shoulders, but I can't see how it's going change things, but it'll be decent. Gaming hit a brick wall years ago, mass lack of imagination.
ladycroft142 on 15 Dec '11 said:
While I'm not a supporter of developers releasing full games as download only titles I'm really looking forward to this. It also reminds me I haven't played the DLC for the original yet, I should really Remedy that.
Mmmmgrolsch on 15 Dec '11 said:
This x1,000,000
I don't care what people say, Alan Wake is my favourite Xbox game ever! I sold my 360 a while back but I will be buying one back just for this game
good thing I still got money on my Live account!
Rawanz on 15 Dec '11 said:
I'm not really an xbox player. But I cant wait to get this! Loved Alan Wake, and im sure this will be just as awesome!
Master Baihu on 15 Dec '11 said:
Difference is AW is not about zombies or a horror game. Its a story-driven action game in the psychological thriller genre
gmcb007 on 15 Dec '11 said:
Probably just a trailer analysis.
Varo_92 on 15 Dec '11 said:
Killer new info on GTA V??? I hope is not another f**king trailer analysis....
Btw when does it come out?
gmcb007 on 15 Dec '11 said:
It's dated as the February issue so probably mid January.
killerkeiron123 on 17 Dec '11 said:
Its out now