Alan Wake's American Nightmare - New Game of the Day #36

Alan Wake's American Nightmare - New Game Of The Day #36

What? XBLA bound action spin off to 2010's creepy 'the words are coming alive!' action horror from Max Payne creators Remedy that takes more cues from Grindhouse shlock than typical horror.

When? Very Early 2012

Where? XBLA

Alan Wake had great swagger. A spaghetti tangle supernatural plot set in a creepy middle America mountain town inspired by the likes of Twin Peaks and the novels of Stephen King was married to delectably contemporary 'episodic' themeing. Come on, each episode ended with a song from the likes of David Bowie or Nick Cave, that's seriously trendy. Alan Wake literally oozed cool; wearing shades while playing it was mandatory.

That said, it wasn't a brilliant game. The dodge-heavy combat got somewhat repetitive as there weren't nearly enough ideas to keep it fresh throughout. And some elements (Barry) felt a little (Barry) out of place (Barry).

(Seriously, is it an unwritten rule of horror games that if your name is Barry you're an A-grade imbecile?)

Only slightly similar to that famous promo shot of Resident Evil 4. Only slightly. Ok, very.

So here's Alan Wake's American Nightmare. Set during an episode of 'Night Springs' - Alan Wake's version of The Twilight Zone, which Alan himself wrote for before becoming a big time author - American Nightmare is an Alan Wake one episode 'special' born from arcade experimentation within Remedy post-relase of the original Alan Wake.

That's right - this isn't Alan Wake 2. But that doesn't mean it isn't packing improvements. Quite the contrary in fact...

Combat is a greater focus in American Nightmare due to its Resident Evil Mercenaries inspired survival mode, so the brawling is massively spruced up as a result. Uzi's, machine guns and a high powered nail gun add flavour to Alan's previously stingy choice of armaments while enemy variety is thankfully improved through nasties that behave in unwanted ways to Alan's previously all-powerful flashlight.

Here's a screen to assure you that there will be quiet parts to offset the action. Happy?

These two key improvements give the game a stronger action bent, which is essential in creating a compelling challenge in the 'fight till dawn' survival mode. This high score focused timed test includes a combo meter for pursuing high scores, as well as a nightmare difficulty to push the toughest players, and, what with having several maps, could provide hours of entertainment on its own.

That's not to say Alan Wake's American Nightmare is without a story - indeed it would hardly be fit to serve the Wake name if it was lacking plot if we're honest - so many will be thankful to hear that American Nightmare offers a five hour narrative to add weight to this digital release.

The fire is clearly to the right. Don't see why this gentleman should take his failure out on poor frail Alan.

American Nightmare's pulp-action tale sees Mr. Wake lose the tweed, grab a tasteful chequered number, and chase a serial killer of his own creation - the sinister Mr. Scratch - across Arizona to save his wife from an unfortunate demise. Thematically it's quite the departure, being more From Dusk Till Dawn than The Shining – what with all the deserted gas stations and sprawling open world desert - but as an XBLA spin off we welcome this abstract experimentation with open arms in a market full of frequently safe sequels.

Developer Legacy: Remedy are responsible for gifting gaming with the gurning face and gravely tones of Max Payne, before dumping him and his pill-popping, bullet-time ways in Rockstar's hands and trotting off to make Alan Wake. For five years.

What They Say: "[Alan Wake's American Nightmare is] a combination of adrenaline-fueled arcade-action mode and an exaggerated pulp-action adventure [drawing] heavily on supernatural, sci-fi and pulp movies, urban legends and classic Americana. It’s Route 66, if you will.” Remedy CEO Matias Myllyrinne in interview with VG 24/7

What We Say: Resident Evil Mercs is one of the greatest arcade games ever. That inspiration alone makes this Wake bake smell great.

Can't Wait? Play This: Either Alan Wake itself - the story is still good even if the combat starts to grate - or grab a copy of Resident Evil 4 or 5 (preferably 4) complete it (yeah, get 4) then play Mercenaries Mode until your eyes fall out (Seriously, forget I even mentioned 5, just get Resident Evil 4. Yeah, even if you get that gimped Games on Demand version it's still infinitely better than Resident Evil 5. Stupid Resident Evil 5).

Website: alanwake.com

Facebook: facebook.com/alanwake

Twitter: @remedygames

Words by James Bowden (Twitter: @Dalagonash)

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