Alan Wake (Time to WAKE UP again!)

[randomwab]

Anyway, even though the game looks spectacular in general (and unlike before, I fear I might actually grab this on day 1), the facial animation still looks kinda "meh" to me in all footage that's been shown. The lip sync seems so basic and the facial mocap/animation appears to be almost non-existent at times.

[Mr_Zombie]

Where is that Sam Lake gif from?

From the "Harry Garrett Show" movie ;)
Here's the teaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ao3mFxeGZw
The full thing is on Alan Wake's facebook page (there's a link under the teaser).

the facial animation still looks kinda "meh" to me in all footage that's been shown. The lip sync seems so basic and the facial mocap/animation appears to be almost non-existent at times.

Yeah, the facial animation is off in many scenes.
However, it is said that Remedy hired CaptiveMotion to do facial animation, and the company completed the work on it somewhere around February. So maybe it's just that this footage is from an old version or something. Because, for example, while the facial animation when Barry is talking (the "I'm his manager") is really simple, the mouth animation when that guy with glasses calms down policemen looks much better.

Anyway, here's a demo of what Embody, the capture system that CaptiveMotion is using, can do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltlhtvhvVFU

So it would make no sense if, while CaptiveMotion has such great system for facial mocap, they would end up with using simple facial animation in Alan Wake.

[Vector]

The first 12 minutes of the game.

http://www.gamepro.de/index.cfm?pid=386&pk=2300

Still kinda on the fence about this one.

[Mr_Zombie]

I have mixed feelings.

On one hand I love the atmosphere (especially how the opening starts with Stephen King's quote), although it's really cheesy sometimes. Spoiler:

show spoiler

It's a dream sequence, so it might be better later on.

The game looks great, but the weird facial animation is unfortunately still there :/. I really like the music, it's beautiful. I'm not sure about the gameplay though. At the moment it looks just ok. Those 12 minutes were just a tutorial, so again, maybe it will be better later on.

[doomed]

What did you expect to be their development environment? That they were still using those daisy chained G5 macs that some people were using for preliminary 360 development?

I didn't expect anything else, obviously.
I just get very annoyed at the thought that I won't be able to play the game despite the fact that it was initially a PC title by a PC developer.

[aris13]

Alan Wake Reviews

Eurogamer: 7/10
1UP: B+
IGN: 9/10
Gametrailers: 8.6/10

[Rombie]

For a game in general, it's a good mix of reviews BUT for a game that has been in development as long as it has, it's not great reviews.

[A-J]

I don't think it's fair to associate dev time with review scores, by that logic Too Human should have been a god send :p

the game's getting good reviews across the board, but just based on the gameplay media I can see how some elements (like shining the light on enemies before actually shooting them) can get boring and repetitive fast, i'm baking on a good story experience through out at least.

[Rombie]

I think it's exceptionally fair actually.

The more time any developer has to spend on their product should mean they have more time to work on all the potential issues.

As far as Too Human, that's more the fault of the dev's shooting their mouths off before finally getting around to releasing the game than their lack of direct polish alone affecting the final product.

The exact case in point exists when there are teams out there who manage to make games in less than 2 years that review better and work their butts off to do it. If you're given the pure luxury of taking your sweet ass time, you're just expected to bring something better to the table. Fair and simple.

[A-J]

well at least it's OUT :p

anyone here got it yet ?

[Zombie Fred]

You have got to remember how small of a team Remedy is when they developed this, and then changing the game design when the open sandbox level didn't go well to their narrative that they wanted. Let's not forget this was a enitrely new engine starting from ground up to go with this also 85 standing on Metacritic is good too, with great reviews ranging from 9 to 8. I don't see much to complain considering the genre the game has been labeled as. Shame I still have to wait a week until release =(

[Rombie]

I'm not forgetting that, but Remedy has always played by "When it's done" rule and taken their time. The two Max Payne titles were exceptional. I don't believe Alan Wake will be all that bad, but it's surprising to see some fairly consistent comments about what is wrong with the game in the reviews.

[Zombie Fred]

I think the best outlook to look upon this will be the feedback upon the minor flaws in the game, with Remedy fixing the issues for the sequel (ala next season), while they have the advantage to play around with new mechanics in the DLC episodes coming. Alan Wake 2 will most likely be under a two year development (or perhaps less considering the engine framework, like with Max Payne 2) so the former issue can be adressed to make this become great further for a franchise.

[A-J]

Outside of the odd facial animations though, what else do you think is wrong with Alan Wake ?.

I haven't read any of the reviews in fair of random spoilage, but from what I gather reading message boards there's some complaints about tearing and the ending being obvious sequel fodder, those really don't sound that bad to be honest.

[doomed]

Apparently your weapons are magically disappearing each time a new level starts..

[A-J]

Apparently your weapons are magically disappearing each time a new level starts..

Really ?

isn't the episodic structure supposed to end in cliff hangers for each episodes ? I'd guess they end in some manner that explains why your equipment isn't there the next time around ?

[doomed]

Here is the review that I read it: http://xbox360.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r26540.htm

The most atrocious evidence of Remedy's constant guiding hand happens with begrudging regularity. Don't get too attached to your weapons, because they will be stripped away, repeatedly. I can understand why Wake would have to ditch the handgun and the shotgun before going to the Sheriff's office, but not for an uneventful scene-change. When Wake takes a nasty fall, I pretend that my ten flares, 20 packs of batteries, three flashbangs, and hunting rifle flew out of my pockets (and never came down?). That doesn't explain why my heavy-duty flashlight, still clutched firmly in-hand, has reverted back into the basic model.

[A-J]

Honestly that just sounds like complaining for complaining's sake .. if they had let you carry all your guns and ammo then that might lead to a negative point about the combat/fights being too easy etc etc ..

I mean it's not like this is a "shooter" shooter game right ?


anyway, GameSpot have a very glowing review up, it's an 8.5 but there's really only one con there ..

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/acti...ke/review.html

and exploration is always appreciated.

Exploration is as important as combat when trying to make your way through these haunted woods. Going off the beaten path is the only way you can find the missing manuscripts and television sets, and there are hidden weapon caches that aid you in fending off this unrelenting horde.

[Zombie Fred]

This game, without a doubt, is in top five of best games I have played this generation. This game has been amazing from the start to the coming end of Chapter 3 (around 5 hours and sadly will not be able to continue until Sunday night due to going down South of England to see friends and family ) and I praise Remedy for crafting such a beautiful world.

The characters, sound design, lighting, and story are just some of the few highlights for me (if not most all of everything). And the Taken/darkness do wonders of adding that physchological mental state to you as you wonder where they will come from in the forest. The manuscript (one of the methods how the story is presented) really bolds to keeping you on the edge when you read on events that are to either occure or later on, without you expecting. This is probably the best "horror" game I have played in this generation.

I am sure also Wayne here was in awe during the vista in episode 3 where you are driving to the coal mines; the lush alp forest stretching among the mountains, as the beautiful daylight continues around you. The daylight scenarios are one of my personal enjoyments for this game, and I can't wait for more! Damn it feels like cold turkey considering how addicting it is when you put down the controller and think about your playtime with the game.

[Stu]

Completed. 8/10

Very generic, very repetitive (every level is literally point a to point b, press a switch, rinse and repeat...with the odd bit of driving), with a plot that makes Lost look like the story of Humpty Dumpty.

For some reason that i can't get my head round though, i still enjoyed it, right up until the last half hour which is just some seriously pretentious bullshit...

Rental for sure. Very little replayability unless you fancy collecting 100 thermosflasks.