Review: Alan Wake: The Signal
The first batch of DLC for Alan Wake is a pretty big letdown.
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The first batch of DLC for Alan Wake is a pretty big letdown.
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Review: Alan Wake: The Signal
- Thread starter Susan Arendt
- Start date
I've just played a bit (I think I can say that I'm up to the bit with the car without it being a spoiler as such) and I agree completely. Too much combat in this DLC.
I didn't mind the odd fight in the main game, but there was one moment (in the second to last episode I think it was) where you're in a building and LOADS of Taken appear, but you have little to no ammo to take them down, so you have to run outside and to the nearest checkpoint.
That was the worst moment in the main game and The Signal seems like they took that part and made DLC out of it.
I love the combat mechanic (taking on just enough Taken was fun), but the actual amount of combat in this episode is making it wear thin. I'll finish it tomorrow, and I may try and play though it again for all the achievements so, as it's free DLC I'll only say that it's a slight disappointment, rather than a major one.
I didn't mind the odd fight in the main game, but there was one moment (in the second to last episode I think it was) where you're in a building and LOADS of Taken appear, but you have little to no ammo to take them down, so you have to run outside and to the nearest checkpoint.
That was the worst moment in the main game and The Signal seems like they took that part and made DLC out of it.
I love the combat mechanic (taking on just enough Taken was fun), but the actual amount of combat in this episode is making it wear thin. I'll finish it tomorrow, and I may try and play though it again for all the achievements so, as it's free DLC I'll only say that it's a slight disappointment, rather than a major one.
I know they couldn't really answer questions in the DLC (in case people don't buy it and miss something important) but I really have no problem with them giving more questions; there's just no plot there.
It just reminded me of the most frustrating parts of the main game; too many enemies and random objects flying at you every fucking second during combat.
In one part the camera must have done the slow-mo turn around to reveal enemies too me 3 times in a bloody minute.
It just reminded me of the most frustrating parts of the main game; too many enemies and random objects flying at you every fucking second during combat.
In one part the camera must have done the slow-mo turn around to reveal enemies too me 3 times in a bloody minute.
Yup, can't play the video. Perhaps this is John Funk striking at you for not being able to review Galaxy 2, Susan 
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I just finished Alan Wake *looks at watch* 2 hours ago
However, I had to rent is so no code for me which leads me on to how much does this DLC cost? Or is that TBA?
Also, it's a shame they missed the point of the story (as in that is the core of the game) and focused on the not bland but reasonably repetitive combat...although towards the end of the game it was solid and satisfying.
However, I had to rent is so no code for me which leads me on to how much does this DLC cost? Or is that TBA?
Also, it's a shame they missed the point of the story (as in that is the core of the game) and focused on the not bland but reasonably repetitive combat...although towards the end of the game it was solid and satisfying.
Hmm video no worky for me either...
I agree with Susan on this, there wasn't much story but to be honest I still had a lot of fun.
I have just played it... in about 2 hours! I never really expected it to be very long, no longer than all the other episodes at any rate, so in that regard I can't complain. It was a lot harder than any of the others (I died a lot more anyway) and it's very fast paced and the gameplay is much more varied with some surprisingly fun parts. As usual it looks fantastic but I did have trouble in some parts because it was just TOO dark!
I'm glad it was free with my code though, I would feel a little bit duped if I'd had to pay for that. I know a lot of work goes into Alan Wake, but the quality does seem to hinder the quantity just a little too much in this case.
I agree with Susan on this, there wasn't much story but to be honest I still had a lot of fun.
I have just played it... in about 2 hours! I never really expected it to be very long, no longer than all the other episodes at any rate, so in that regard I can't complain. It was a lot harder than any of the others (I died a lot more anyway) and it's very fast paced and the gameplay is much more varied with some surprisingly fun parts. As usual it looks fantastic but I did have trouble in some parts because it was just TOO dark!
I'm glad it was free with my code though, I would feel a little bit duped if I'd had to pay for that. I know a lot of work goes into Alan Wake, but the quality does seem to hinder the quantity just a little too much in this case.
Yes, I agree. But he was INCREDIBLY annoying in the DLC I thought. He was very well done in the main game, used just enough to not become boring or annoying. But here, here he had no place. His talking got on my nerves and I rarely laughed at him. Considering I wished he would go away and leave me with the Taken... doesn't bode well!Susan Arendt said:
While I couldn't agree more that 'The Signal' is a letdown, I have to disagree with your opinion of the full game.
I thought that the story and writing started off well enough, but went rapidly downhill, ending up an incoherent mess towards the end. The resolution somehow managed to feel rushed, anti-climactic and meandering all at the same time. The supposed cliffhanger ending had less impact than one of the flash-bangs in the game.
I did however, like the game engine, I thought that the town and forest were well rendered, and even if the slightly wonky lip-synching let the character models down, the rest of the world looked superb.
Weirdly enough, I really liked Barry as a character, so I'll agree with you on that point too.
I thought that the story and writing started off well enough, but went rapidly downhill, ending up an incoherent mess towards the end. The resolution somehow managed to feel rushed, anti-climactic and meandering all at the same time. The supposed cliffhanger ending had less impact than one of the flash-bangs in the game.
I did however, like the game engine, I thought that the town and forest were well rendered, and even if the slightly wonky lip-synching let the character models down, the rest of the world looked superb.
Weirdly enough, I really liked Barry as a character, so I'll agree with you on that point too.
Aw, really? I thought he was super in the DLC, one of the few bright spots. The moments with Alan and Barry were very charming, I thought.Proverbial Jon said:
Also, apologies for the problem with the video. Should be sorted now.
