It's hard to remember a game that has been glimpsed so little and yet generated so much discussion. Admittedly, not all of that discussion has been positive.
In fact, mostly talk of Alan Wake is followed by arguments about whether it will ever come out, if it can possibly live up to three years' worth of hype and - whisper it - if it even exists anymore. Well, after a year of silence, a new trailer landed last month so we know, at least, it exists. But can it live up to expectations - and when will the game actually arrive on shop shelves?
Release date first, then - because there isn't one. As is Remedy's wont, the game will only see the light of day when completed. The Finnish coders have consistently shaken off any vague seasonal release pushed their way by publishers Microsoft, repeating on their website that the game only debuts once it's done.
That said, almost a thousand days into development and they are, at least, prepared to attach the year 2009 to the project. And, if we were to take a bash, we'd say autumn is a good bet.
In a weird way, Remedy have tried their best to downplay expectations, showing little of the game, revealing nothing of the story and never once, in three years, giving anyone a chance to play it. It could be argued the sense of anticipation comes from a lack of eyes-on time, with only some incredible tech demos providing any insight into how the gameworld will look and feel. Based on that, it's obvious this is a beautiful, vast and dense world, built around a real-time weather system which brings with it sunshine, rainfall, wind and even the occasional tornado. At 36 square miles, they've certainly gone for big too. The town of Bright Falls is at the heart of the game, but dotted around are huge forests, lakes, satellite towns and story-important landmarks such as the lighthouse glimpsed in one of the earliest trailers.
Remedy admit Wake is a free-roaming game, with exploration, character interaction, interiors and, particularly, driving a major part of the adventure. They've also tried to distance it from GTA by saying the focus on story means the player will be more closely aligned with the plot. "The storyline doesn't advance if the player wanders aimlessly around the woods," says Lead Designer Petri Jarvilehto, which suggests that, while there will be a degree of freedom, you won't be base-jumping from the Lighthouse, or stealing ambulances and careering around the woodland with fifty cop cars on your trail.
So, with the story playing such a massive part, it's just a shame we know so little about it. What Remedy have released is a basic overview, repeated a thousand times: Wake is a writer, whose wife disappears when he moves to the Pacific north west town of Bright Falls - and as insomnia and writer's block kicks in, his book starts writing itself... and the events in it come to life. Hugely influenced by the works of Stephen King, the game's scripter Sam Lake also points towards weird-out cult TV show Twin Peaks as inspiration as well. Does that mean you'll be encountering backwards-talking dwarfs in red rooms? Er, no, but there'll certainly be that same sense of an apparently perfect small town hiding deep, dark secrets, with nothing quite as it should be.
For now, though, we just have to wait. Again. Still, given that Remedy have already made us sit on our hands for three years, another 6-8 months shouldn't be much of a chore...
I am well and truely looking forward to this game and have been since was announced years back. I even bought my 360 for this game alone so I can play it (My PC not being strong enough for the PC version). If the release is 2009 then surely we'll be seeing more of the game. We don't even know whether there are monsters (a la Silent Hill) in this game or not?
If this game comes out in 2009 then I will be one happy gamer. Ever since I saw the tech demo of the engine years ago and then found out the type of Game Remedy were trying to create (in an open world!) I was sold.
The whole thing has a David Lynch/Stephen King feel to it and if Remedy can pull it off they could have something pretty special on their hands. Then again I might be getting a little too carried away.
The fact that it's by Remedy is just about enough to make me want it on it's own - I love Max Payne.
The thing that really got me was reading an earlier preview. The description of the "hitch-hiker" part of the story was enough to dilate my pupils and get my brain working overtime. Playing through it should be even better!
Sounds very like Alone In The Dark to me. If I can get that game but polished correctly and done by a team who actually can do 3rd person Action Adventures then I'll start looking forward to it.
I've been intriqued by this game since I first started keeping tabs on it in 2008. It frustrates me a bit that Microsoft in cahoots with Remedy insist that the PC version will only be playable on Vista. If they stick to their guns on that point then I won't be buying it until/if I eventually decide to upgrade to Windows 7 (I am not going to use Vista).
I've been intriqued by this game since I first started keeping tabs on it in 2008. It frustrates me a bit that Microsoft in cahoots with Remedy insist that the PC version will only be playable on Vista. If they stick to their guns on that point then I won't be buying it until/if I eventually decide to upgrade to Windows 7 (I am not going to use Vista).
Vista was a mess I never wanted or indeed had it. I have had to deal with to a degree as I work in IT but not many if any businesses took it on. It was mainly joe public that bought that s**te (or it was thrust on them through a PC purchase). I also think it will be a mistake if they make AW Vista/7 only.
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, UK BA1 2BW England and Wales company registration number 2008885
