Alan Wake's American Nightmare Review (richricky30)
Alan Wake's American Nightmare isn't quite a full sequel, but it delivers a punchy, action-packed experience that expands on the lore of the original. This standalone spin-off throws Wake into a bizarre dimension inspired by his own fictional TV show, "Night Springs." The tone is less psychological horror and more B-movie camp, with Mr. Scratch hamming it up as the villain. While the story isn't as deep as the first game, it's still entertaining, especially for Wake fans.
The core gameplay remains familiar: you battle shadowy "Taken" with light and firepower. Here's the twist: you revisit essentially the same three environments multiple times. This, however, is where the brilliance of Sam Lake comes in. The repetitive environments become a clever metaphor for Wake's struggle within the nightmare, and the gameplay remains engaging thanks to the variety of enemies and escalating challenges.
"Fight Till Dawn" mode is a fantastic addition. It's a wave-based survival gauntlet that puts your light-combat skills to the test. A few glitches in the map geometry can be exploited by savvy players. While not intended, these little quirks add a touch of "speedrunning" potential for those who like to break the game (in a good way) to maximize their points. However, don't expect a lengthy, glitch-filled experience – the fun lies in mastering the core mechanics.
The achievement list is a mixed bag. Some achievements reward completing story milestones, while others challenge you with specific combat feats.
Alan Wake's American Nightmare is a concise experience, clocking in at around 5 hours. While some might find the repetitive environments a turn-off, the B-movie atmosphere, frenetic combat, and "Fight Till Dawn" mode make it a worthwhile addition to the Wake universe. Just be prepared to see the same gas station a few too many times.