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[Silky]

It would be more than a year since I made a thread about beating Alan Wake for the Xbox 360. It was a pretty damn good 'thriller'-esque title, and it tried some things I haven't really seen in a videogame since Haunting Ground. So then, after ebating Alan Wake, I went on to tackle Alan Wake's American Nightmare.

Story
Unlike Alan Wake's episodic format that goes through at least five or so episodes, American Nightmare is focused on one central episode themed after the Night Springs tv segments in the original game. Wake's pitted against Mr. Scratch that's essentially ruining his day in the most groundhog-day esque way possible. For better or worse

Dialogue
Unlike Alan Wake, the protagonist doesn't really get the shine of light for me in this game, but rather most of the actual dialogue came from Mr. Scratch. And that is fucking amazing. Again unlike the first game where I just skimmed through most of the TV segments, American Nightmare had me glued to the TV to see what the hell Scratch was doing. Being a polar opposite compared to Wake, I was really pleased with seeing such an exciting, eccentric individual in the game's cast of dull characters.

Presentation
This is where the game compared to Alan Wake takes a nosedive--presentation is really lacking in American Nightmare compared to AW. Some of the levels are really drab and dull, and their drabness and dullness are reinforced when you have to play the levels over and over and over for the story to actually progress.

Gameplay
Gunplay took a HUGE overhaul, which I really liked. I got the idea that it was a much more combat focused game compared to AW, which I didn't really mind. Shooting enemies, dodging enemies feels a lot more snappier compared to AW. My only gripe with the gunplay was that with that added overhaul the difficulty of avoiding enemies, and the enjoyment of finding flares and flare gun ammunition were pretty much removed. It's so easy to stock up on ammunition, that I kind of regretted playing on the average difficulty.

But, American Nightmare is pretty good. I think it's a solid continuation of the AW story, and I'd love to see more of the series. And perferably more of Mr. Scratch.

 

[DayEnder]

I really didn't care for American Nightmare. I found it really dragged, especially towards the end. I realise that some of the repetitive gameplay was used for effect,

Spoiler

similar to "Ground Hog Day" in game form

, but overall it just didn't feel up to par with the quality of the main Alan Wake game. I would have preferred a shorter more focused DLC/DLG. Also, I wasn't crazy about the Mr. Scratch character and alot of the live action cutscenes came off as cheezy rather than creepy (B movie quality in some cases,,,if that was what they were aiming for then goal achieved).

 

[tauke]

The best moment for in American Nightmare will be

Spoiler

Kasabian song playing while a giant rock appear and smash a frickin satellite which smashes into the tower.

 

[bobeth]

I really enjoyed it. I thought it was better paced than the main game, and it didn't overstay its welcome. Music was great too.

 

[Murray97]

I loved the first Alan Wake. One of my favourite games but American Nightmare I just forced myself through to experience the story. The whole repeating the same shit over and over got really boring to me.

If you loved the first Alan Wake then I'd still recommend playing it if you want more but it isn't as good.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

The best moment for in American Nightmare will be

Spoiler

Kasabian song playing while a giant rock appear and smash a frickin satellite which smashes into the tower.

So good.

Also Mr Scratch is worth the price of admission.

 

[Vexxan]

Alan Wake was my 2010 GOTY and I really enjoyed American Nightmare too. I liked the focus on Mr. Scratch and his crazy doings.

 

[Timeaisis]

The best moment for in American Nightmare will be

Spoiler

Kasabian song playing while a giant rock appear and smash a frickin satellite which smashes into the tower.

Came for this. Glad we agree.

Good continuation, not up to par as the original. I want more AW.

 

[Danomeon]

I really love the sci-fi desert setting, and this game used it really well. Combat was really satisfying, the environments and setpieces were a blast the first time around, and I love the villain.

I completely wish this had been a full-sized game without the need to repeat the same levels over and over again, however. This setting interested me even more than the woodsy area in the original Alan Wake, (Which interested me a lot to begin with) yet some of the crazier sights and sounds of the American desert didn't get the spotlight they deserved.

Also, big endgame spoiler, was anyone else disappointed by

Spoiler

the fact that you never actually fight Mr. Scratch? You just reach the end of the third level for the third time and he is killed off in a cut scene. That was hardly the epic end to this villain I hoped the game was building up to

 

[Virdix]

The best moment for in American Nightmare will be

Spoiler

Kasabian song playing while a giant rock appear and smash a frickin satellite which smashes into the tower.

Yes.

 

[a Master Ninja]

The score attack thing can get pretty tense. I love the sunrise.

 

[SURGEdude]

I found it really dragged, especially towards the end. I realise that some of the repetitive gameplay was used for effect,

Spoiler

similar to "Ground Hog Day" in game form

, but overall it just didn't feel up to par with the quality of the main Alan Wake game. I would have preferred a shorter more focused DLC/DLG.

Pretty much this.

I enjoyed it, but not like as much as the original. While the gunplay was tighter, and I did enjoy the story, I found the Groundhog Day style repetitiveness to drag in a way the main game never did.

Maybe that just me. I'm not very patient when it comes to games, and I'm always waiting to see the next thing coming.

 

[sunnz]

The only game that can get me to get a XBONE 1, Alan wake 2.

Not only my favourite 360 game but one of my all times too.

The DLC was amazing, not as good as the game but still great.
Only reason why I am hyped for Quantum break

 

[FaultTolerance]

Alan Wake and American Nightmare are two of my favorite gaming experiences last gen. I really enjoy things that are meta in nature, and AW and AN fit the bill in a way that gives me goosebumps.

That, and I adore Remedy as company. They have some of the most creative and talented people in the business working for them.

Marry me, Sam.

 

[Twin Tails]

FMV!!!!!
Score Attack was very intense
Loved the game even though combat is not what i want from Alan Wake. ALAN WAKE 2 ON XBOX ONE PLSE Remedy

 

[gugeifer]

Loved it.
I thought American Nightmare was a real point between horror-like gameplay if Alan Wake and more shooter-like (as in Alan really settled in the nightmare world kind) style. Shooting was fun, story was ridiculous and everything is worthwhile. Also Mr.Scratch.

I thought it was a gorgeous bridge to AW2. Silly me =(

 

[Lima]

The score attack thing can get pretty tense. I love the sunrise.

Yup.

Really enjoyed the arcade style nature of the score attack mode. Made me appreciate the combat even more even though it is very basic at it's core. It just has this great flow.

 

[poopninjamvc3mk]

Hmmm would it be alright if I played American Nightmare before the original or would I be missing out on key things I need to know? Have a AN copy on steam but not the original. Will wait until original pops back up on sale or in a bundle if I have to

 

[FaultTolerance]

Hmmm would it be alright if I played American Nightmare before the original or would I be missing out on key things I need to know? Have a AN copy on steam but not the original. Will wait until original pops back up on sale or in a bundle if I have to

It would probably be okay to play American Nightmare before Alan Wake. It just wouldn't make all that much sense.

 

[Bluth54]

Alan Wake was one of my favorite game of all time but I was pretty disappointing in American Nightmare. There were some improvements (like weapon and enemy variety, which I admit is something Alan Wake needed), but the atmosphere, story, characters and the environment, all things I loved about Alan Wake, clearly took a back seat.

 

[LonelyGreyWolf]

Hmmm would it be alright if I played American Nightmare before the original or would I be missing out on key things I need to know? Have a AN copy on steam but not the original. Will wait until original pops back up on sale or in a bundle if I have to

Might as well play Alan Wake first.

 

[Grisby]

The sun breaking and destroying all Taken was awesome. Really put a lot of time into that mode.

 

[Ozium]

Mr. Scratch needs his own damn game.

 

[Black Mantis]

I really didn't care for American Nightmare. I found it really dragged, especially towards the end. I realise that some of the repetitive gameplay was used for effect,

Spoiler

similar to "Ground Hog Day" in game form

, but overall it just didn't feel up to par with the quality of the main Alan Wake game. I would have preferred a shorter more focused DLC/DLG. Also, I wasn't crazy about the Mr. Scratch character and alot of the live action cutscenes came off as cheezy rather than creepy (B movie quality in some cases,,,if that was what they were aiming for then goal achieved).

It was never going to. Remedy stated they wanted to implement some ideas they had during AW's development, that wouldn't really fit into the main game.

 

[poopninjamvc3mk]

It would probably be okay to play American Nightmare before Alan Wake. It just wouldn't make all that much sense.

Might as well play Alan Wake first.

Alright I'll wait then, thanks.

 

[Strike]

Fun little side story. I do hope that Remedy does make a full fledged sequel at some point.