Review: Alan Wake (360)

+'s

-thrilling story

-some great jump-scares

-some great graphics in spots (especially the scenary of Bright Falls)

-very competent combat (shooting feels pretty good)

-innovative combat system (using light first, then weapons, flashlight in left hand with guns in right hand etc.)

-good replay value (collecting manuscript pages, tv shows, radio broadcasts, all add a great sense of atmosphere and setting)

-'s

-terrible facial animations (Remedy has explained why this happens and they want to try and patch them, but they are still bad even for last-gen).

Neutrals

-More of a thriller with jump-scares than a horror game. This will be great for some, and disappointing for others.

Overall, this is a very solid game. This type of game plays right into Remedy's strengths (the thrilling storyline) even more than either of the Max Payne games did (which I also liked). I do kind of wish I played this game alone, in the dark, with headphones for maximum effect, but it was still very fun with someone watching and one or two lights on in the room. I'm really interested in the DLC and the sequel.

Review: Red Dead Redemption (360)

+'s

-tons and tons of things to do (nearly all of them are very fun)

-best graphics, sound, and controls for a Rockstar game yet

-outstanding story

-campaign missions are all fun (none of them are filler like in previous games)

-great sense of atmosphere (feels like you really are in 1910)

-interesting characters

-things are happening constantly no matter what (animals attacking you, people asking for help, people challenging you to duels, people being attacked, etc.)

-fixes nearly all of my issues with GTAIV (checkpoints are much improved, no more health or body armor-heath regenerates over time, you spawn in your nearest owned house after death with all weapons, items and ammo, and finally traveling too and from mission starts is less cumbersome).

's

-some bugs and glitches here and there (none of them bothered me much at all)

Neutral

-multiplayer is much improved from GTAIV (unlockables, leveling up, Free Roam and focused game modes). It's fun, and adds very good value to the game, but is not yet a contender for best multiplayer game.

Overall, wow, just wow. This game went from me saying "Red Dead Revolver wasn't one of Rockstar's better games, maybe I should just rent this one" to me wanting to play this game pretty much nonstop. Probably my favorite Rockstar game yet (something finally takes the throne from Vice City) and absolutely a contender for GOTY.

Points Addict: 46,000

Tonight I passed 46K while playing Red Dead Redemption.