Alan Wake

Platform(s): PC, Xbox 360
Genre: Action
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Release Date: May 18, 2010 (US), May 14, 2010 (EU)

About Rainier

PC gamer, WorthPlaying EIC, globe-trotting couch potato, patriot, '80s headbanger, movie watcher, music lover, foodie and man in black -- squirrel!

Advertising

As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.





'Alan Wake' (X360) Comes to Life with Havok Physics

by Rainier on May 12, 2010 @ 12:17 p.m. PDT

Alan Wake, the game's protagonist, is a bestselling horror writer, who writes a novel about his darkest nightmares. In the game, those nightmares come true.

In this dynamic new title, players assume the role of Alan Wake, a best-selling suspense author suffering from writer’s block, who escapes to a small town only to experience the mysterious disappearance of his wife.

Set in the deceptively idyllic town of Bright Falls, Wash., “Alan Wake” immerses players in an intense and expansive cinematic world that enables players to explore the hyper-realistic and interactive environments. “Alan Wake” is mission-based with a deeply engaging and suspenseful storyline unveiling new twists and profound character revelations at every turn.

Players will unravel the riveting plot through multilayered character interactions, unique problem-solving and intense combat against terrifying enemies. In this nightmarish world, where fantasy and reality collide, Alan Wake must use a variety of weapons to survive, including his most powerful ally against the darkness — light itself.

Alan Wake boasts stunningly rendered cinematic scenes, with a seamless flow between pre-authored and in-game sequences. Havok’s Physics engine enables interaction between the protagonist Alan Wake and the streets, buildings, vehicles and inhabitants of the town of Bright Falls.

“Alan Wake is a new experience in gaming, merging realistic animation with interactive game play on a scale not seen before. Havok Physics was deeply integrated into our tool chain and in-house engine to maximize its full potential. By harnessing the full power of the Xbox 360 hardware, our engine and Havok’s solution allows us to deliver fully on our ambition for Alan Wake. We’re confident gamers will be enthralled as they unlock the mysteries of Bright Falls and explore Alan Wake’s intriguing surroundings.”

Andrew Bowell, Head of European Sales, Havok, says: " Alan Wake is one of the most anticipated game titles of 2010 and Havok’s European support team worked closely with Remedy to bring their vision to life. Alan Wake pushes the boundaries of game development and has used Havok’s technology to optimum effect, creating a challenging, interactive environment with striking, realistic animation.”

Havok Physics is the leading real-time collision detection and physical simulation solution. Havok's modular suite of tools puts power in the hands of creators, making sure they can reach new standards of interactivity, while mitigating the overall cost and risks associated with creating today's leading video games and movies. 

Features :

  • Intense psychological thriller. “Alan Wake” delivers a deeply psychological and finely crafted plot that raises the bar for storytelling in video games. The riveting story of “Alan Wake” is propelled by a movie-like atmosphere, compelling situations, memorable characters and real-time pacing. Remedy has a record of creating and developing games with unique cinematic presentation and exceptionally high production values.
  • Light as a combat element. As Wake journeys deeper into the mystery of Bright Falls, the shadows close in around him. When darkness descends, light becomes his only ally as he fights his way to daybreak. . This poses a severe problem for Alan Wake since his enemies seemingly gain strength from the shadows, and before long, light itself becomes his greatest ally. Players must skillfully combine their use of light with more conventional weapons to stand a chance.
  • Realistic, interactive environment. Set in the town of Bright Falls, the hyper-detailed environments of the Pacific Northwest play an important role; even the change in daylight and weather will profoundly affect the characters and enemies in “Alan Wake.” The game’s advanced rendering engine provides amazingly realistic environments that bring this world to detailed life — from the lush forest of evergreen trees to the quaint small-town buildings and streets. The world of “Alan Wake” is alive and real.
  • Episodic narrative. The mission-based structure of “Alan Wake” creates an episodic narrative similar to a deeply structured dramatic television series, such as Twin Peak and X-Files. As the episodes progress, gameplay will evolve to introduce new elements and characters, escalating the level of threat and action in the game.

More articles about Alan Wake
blog comments powered by Disqus