Alan Wake II
This game is.... impressive. In all ways.
It's a detailed story, rich with characters, who shift around in lots of different ways. I appreciate the story complexity.
While I did appreciate this experience and I enjoyed playing it. I'm not sure this game is for me.
I talk a lot about narrative/gameplay integration. Where some games can be all gameplay, no narrative (i.e., Fortnite). I think the best games have a tight integration where your gameplay drives the story forward, if that makes sense.
In this game I feel like the gameplay is almost an afterthought. In some cases you're literally dragging and dropping notes on a board while the character explains to you what it means and what is happening.
Or like if you go up to an NPC and chat, and it's like "press X to say this, or Y to say this," it really doesn't mean anything. You're just gonna mindlessly click through anyway.
I know there's a lot of games like this and this is nothing new. I'm just saying for me personally, I want more ability to affect outcomes with my gameplay.
K that said, the visuals in this game are stunning. It's freaking art. I'm a huge fan of the mixed media approach of having writing, music, film, etc all in one. This game had to have been a monumental undertaking, in terms of how many talented people had to be involved, as well as the coordination of having everyone do their thing and have it work together.
There are a ton of plot threads, and I bet if I pulled on some or thought too much about it, there'd be lots of plot holes. But I just greatly respect what they did here.
Definitely a unique gaming experience. I'm glad this game exists. It is impressive.
