[fightwithlight]

Just wanted to start a thread with our first impressions of buying the game, loading it up, seeing it in game for the first bit... it's always fun to say what you first thought and how you felt.

Going to go and wait for it... then bed if it doesn't pop up soon.

See you guys later!

[Kahr]

I'm loving it. My initial thoughts about the game were right too, and I'm happy about that. So many are afraid that it would be too action oriented and leave story behind - I don't feel like that at all! I'm a huge fan of story driven games (to the point where everything else becomes less important), and I am absolutely loving it so far. I don't know how far into the game I've come, but it's not too far, and I'm eager to just consume more and more of it.

AWAN is already hit in my eyes.

[angelus0901]

I'm loving it, too. I wish I had more time to play it, I have to study and my internet connection is disconnecting all the time so it is getting on my nerves!!

[Spong]

I'm currently mid-game (story mode) and I'm enjoying the plot immensely, the game as whole is pretty good. However, I just had a confrontation with about eight or ten Taken and the framerate was terrible, it dropped to about two or three frames a second, aiming was almost impossible. Anyone else had that happen to them? It's the first encounter I've had with so many Taken, I hope the framerate issue isn't going to be a regular occurrence because it seriously hampered the proceedings (and my enjoyment).

[MikkiRMD]

Two or three frames a second? If we had frame rates like that, we wouldn't even pass certification. I'm serious -- if that's really what you're getting, I think you might have a hardware problem.

[Wane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spong

I'm currently mid-game (story mode) and I'm enjoying the plot immensely, the game as whole is pretty good. However, I just had a confrontation with about eight or ten Taken and the framerate was terrible, it dropped to about two or three frames a second, aiming was almost impossible. Anyone else had that happen to them? It's the first encounter I've had with so many Taken, I hope that's not going to be a regular occurrence because it seriously hampered the proceedings (and my enjoyment).

What VSync setting do you have on?

[thebestbit]

Had no framerate issues. Well worth the money so far and good to have more Wake.

[Spong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wane

What VSync setting do you have on?

Sorry, I forgot to mention that. It's set to 'Smart'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikkiRMD

Two or three frames a second? If we had frame rates like that, we wouldn't even pass certification. I'm serious -- if that's really what you're getting, I think you might have a hardware problem.

I hope it isn't a hardware problem, I had a brand new Xbox (Elite) given to me by MS after the Dashboard preview late last year bricked my old console.

The framerate really was bad though, it lasted until I'd despatched most of the Taken.

[thebestbit]

Sure it was framrate issues and not just you doing the dodge all the time?

[Spong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebestbit

Sure it was framrate issues and not just you doing the dodge all the time?

LOL, no it wasn't that, the dodge isn't a move I get to use all that often to be honest.

[Wane]

Clearing the memory cache may help, but it will also clear out all software update.

[Spong]

Hopefully it was just a one-off glitch, just one of those things. I'm hesitant to clear my cache, I've had an ongoing problem with MS about a license transfer screw up when they exchanged my 360 (which has now been resolved), and over the last couple of months they made me clear my cache three times. It's a nightmare having to re-download all the title updates for my games

[thebestbit]

Do i like American Nightmare? why



I do.

[eskimosound]

Im only on Demo at mo but I think its brilliant but you need the brightness right down otherwise the graphics dont look too cool.
I like the way you can run for longer but I dont like the way the torch doesn't focus on the enemy straight away.
I fancy the woman mechanic at the Motel and there is a page of the manuscript in one of the rooms which you cant enter but its all lit up on the bed.

[Wane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskimosound

Im only on Demo at mo but I think its brilliant but you need the brightness right down otherwise the graphics dont look too cool.
I like the way you can run for longer but I dont like the way the torch doesn't focus on the enemy straight away.
I fancy the woman mechanic at the Motel and there is a page of the manuscript in one of the rooms which you cant enter but its all lit up on the bed.

Too much info

[eskimosound]

Lolz but she's hot

[Wane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spong

Hopefully it was just a one-off glitch, just one of those things. I'm hesitant to clear my cache, I've had an ongoing problem with MS about a license transfer screw up when they exchanged my 360 (which has now been resolved), and over the last couple of months they made me clear my cache three times. It's a nightmare having to re-download all the title updates for my games

How many games would you have to update?

[MikkiRMD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskimosound

rooms which you cant enter

Not yet, you can't. =)

[eskimosound]

Is that just coz its the demo? @MikkiRMD

[Spong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wane

How many games would you have to update?

Forty-six (that's retail games and XBLA games). Through the course of re-downloading all the updates over the last couple of months I finally compiled a list because I could never remember which games required updates and which didn't. I wish more devs would store title updates in their respective game folder along with the saves, it stops them being wiped when the cache is cleared.

[MikkiRMD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskimosound

Is that just coz its the demo? @MikkiRMD

Yep.

[LonelyGreyWolf]

Great game. I like the new weapons and enemies. The new people you meet aren't all that well detailed though, and the dialogue is pretty bad. But maybe then again, bad dialogue does sort of fit the setting. The dialogues in the radios and TVs are great, it's just when you talk with real people that the dialogue stinks, and it makes sense in context, this being an early Wake-job and Alan being ashamed of writing for the show. I have to say though, that this game has none of the atmosphere that the first game had. And the batteries recharge really quickly; I've been playing for hours and haven't switched batteries once. I completed most of Alan Wake (1) without switching batteries too, but here switching batteries feel down right pointless.

I just played the Arcade mode for the first time, and five minutes in the game froze -- which is annoying, but hopefully it won't happen too often. I'm really enjoying the game all things considered. I only think AWAN should have had some sort of map; it's only fitting for an open-world game.

By the way, the crossbow is really, really, really strong. Once you go crossbow, you never go back. Gimme a crossbow and a uzi and I'll take down every Taken in my path.

[The Darkness]

Played it around 30minutes. It was good. Everything is so dark and I love the loneliness of it. Lighting in this game is by far the best volumetric lighting you can see.

Ilkka did a great job with Mr.Scratch. He's not copying anybody, he really created a new personality. He is not Joker and he is not like anybody, not even Alan. he is somehow alone and obsessed with his mind.

Why is it so easy ?

[eskimosound]

Oh yeah I dont like the mock Vincent Price narrator and I hate the way he says "The Man".... That aint no man That IS ALAN WAKE our hero!!!
Love the new weapons though... and yep I think its brilliant Im just being niggling and hey if I could have thought of the idea let alone programe it I might be able to criticize.... but as is I cant so its ace!

[Spong]

I have to say...the nail gun rocks!

[MattS]

Fast download - less 15 min here as of 11:30a Central Time - Texas.

Should I not read into the 'Download content' section of the main menu? First thought was: more levels coming, baby?!?!?!?!

[MestV]

Allready finished it. It was good!

Not "Original Alan Wake" great, but good nevertheless, not to mention the incredible value for money.

I even dare to think it's great not to be as good as the original, as every "newcomer" liking this and gets persuaded to play the original will be in for a way deeper experience then they would ever thought they would have.

Recommended, whoever still is doubting: don't.

Edit: Forgot to mention I had serious framedrops as well, but only twice, each did however last about 20 seconds, even after all enemies were vanquished. That means it only happened once when I had to fight, so no gamebreak luckily

[Libertarian]

I love the story and immersion found in Alan Wake's American Nightmare. The open world aspect is also a nice change of pace that reminds me of old Alan Wake before its design was changed.

I don't think any XBLA game has offered this much satisfying bang for my gaming buck.

Thanks, Remedy!

[GunGrave TZA]

Well I'm about an hour and a half in, and I've been really surprised by how much better the combat has become and how enjoyable it is now. I was also surprised by how great the graphics are, they're SO much more colorful than the original game while maintaining all the original's great lighting.

But for the story... Well, I'll wait until I complete the game to elaborate on that in a full review.

[MattS]

About an hour in, love the setting to start. Very much dig the updated Taken, such as the Splitter - the voice work is excellent, as usual. And of course, the extra weapons, and extra enemy variety go a long way

Ready for Alan Wake: special edition using this updated Engine too....

[djshauny1]

Wow

Remedy, i f*****g love this game.

Some of the tv parts are just too funny.

Loving it so far

[eskimosound]

Guys is it going to come out on disc or will it always be downloadable content?

[Spong]

Just finished the story mode, thoroughly enjoyed it, give yourself a pat on the back guys. I wish there was some replay value though, I got everything there was to get with regards to collectables and achievements. Unfortunately for me, I can't see myself ever bothering with the Fight Till Dawn mode. That sort of run & gun gameplay isn't for me, I find it horribly monotonous/tedious, and I don't think it fits Alan Wake at all. To be truthful, the emphasis on FtD over the story made me seriously consider not getting the game. But I'm glad I did for the story that was there.

Also, I never had any more problems with moments of bad framerate, and there were plenty of times when there were more Taken on-screen than the occasion where the framerate dropped before.

[el butterfly]

Finished it already. Really liked it. End was a bit dissapointing but its well the moneys worth.

And fight till dawn is awesome.

[thebestbit]

Ilkka Villi needs an award for his Mr Scratch.

[Spong]

^He should get an award just for being Ilkka Villi
I never really appreciated him in AW, but he shined through in AN, his performance was excellent

[Commander Shepa]

I love it! Thank you so much, Remedy!

[Convas]

"Good Lord Dr. Meadows, I would have a hard time concentrating as your co-worker with an outfit like that on."

Haha, this game is so beautifully awesome. I'm spending more time exploring the worlds, looking for pages, listening to the soundtrack than anything else ATM. And this hub world format that Remedy is using ... BRILLIANT. Dialogue isn't the best, but it's funny at times.

Still though, the manuscript pages really do add depth to the story and the live-action pieces with Mr. Scratch are hilarious and desperately evil all at the same time. The new weapons are an added benefit and I'm actually feeling surrounded during my encounters with the Taken. It's NOWHERE close to being completely action-centric.

I have a good feeling about the future of Alan Wake!

[Mr.Scratch]

Just completed it. Thought it was great!

Some thoughts about the game is that the introduction part wasn´t so motivated, you really hadn´t no clue what was going on.
Then something I really hope Remedy fix to their next Alan Wake (if there will be one) is that they have do decrease the amount of ammo and batteries. The game would get so much more depth to it if you´ll have to spare the things you caring. Also lay a little more job on the conversation part with the animation and movement of the charachters, make them more alive. Otherwise great job Remedy!

Great Graphics (except my complaint), good story even if it was pretty much thanks to the collectibles in the game. Pretty much everything was well done except the graphics which was really awesome.

I just wonder a little why I liked it so much, cause I found it easy, a bit random conversations and not the best balance of enemies, a pretty simple story that somehow got very intresting.

One question I have is when is this taking place? The things that happends has nothing to do with the real story? It´s just an episode? Cause it was intresting just hearing about alice and scratch plans and so on but I didn´t really now if this would affect alice or scratch in the real game, if there will be an Alan Wake 2.

And sorry if I sounds negative I´m just suprised over my postive feelings about the game, even though I was thrilled to play it, cause I love the first one so much.

[LSKzane]

I didnt read any of these posts above because i start playing singleplayer next monday and i dont want to be spoiled , so apologize if this is already mentioned:

Just played a couple of rounds Fight til dawn and i have to say one thing:

Some weeks ago i said something like: Fight till dawn needs a (multiplayer) coop mode.
Now i am like: OMG THIS MODE REALLY NEEDS MULTIPLAYER COOP MODE!!!
I mean, fight till dawn mode is really great so far, i like it, really good job RMD BUT it could be sooooo² much better if it had multiplayer coop....

Just sayin...