Alan Wake 2 review - incredible style, overbearing writing - Eurogamer

Eurogamer's review of Alan Wake 2, a gorgeous but relentlessly meta game about writing that badly needs an editor.

[Redgehammer]

That’s how I feel about eurogamer’s writing.

[Abear21]

Every article uses the word “bespoke” at least once. On topic this was why I stopped playing the first game after two hours, you’re in control for like a minute at a time between cut scenes

[CrimsonWing69]

I understand this isn't a game for everyone. Some people want mindless running and gunning and story where that doesn't challenge their mental capacity.

That being said, I question your intelligence level by calling this "overbearing" with the writing. Yea, there's some serious mind bending and uniquely imaginative concepts that make you think a bit more than "we need to go pew pew to the bad guy." It's a very cerebral game and I have to say maybe one the best experiences with a narrative I've seen for media in quite some time.

There's this part before Chapter 8 that, if you're a fan of Alan Wake 1, really gave me a "hell yea!" moment. Like, really, this game is an experience. It knows how to design situations that make you feel the insanity of the characters. Tons of mind-f*ckery, standout moments, exceptional production values. When they do the title sequence for a chapter it's super crisp.

But yea, like I said, it's a cerebral game. So, if you're looking for Fortnite level gameplay or something that has a more simpler story like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, this isn't the game for you.

[TheProfessional]

People who make comments like this have always been a joke, so anyone who doesn't like something must only like simplisitic trash like fortnite? I didn't read this review but unless he made those comparisons you're just condescending someone who disagrees with you.

Also Alan wake 1 was pretty average overall with the reptitive flashlight combat, being rated Teen, and awful possessed objects and vehicle sequences. This sequel is what the first should have been but you're trying too hard when you say its too intellectual for the reviewer to appreciate.

[CrimsonWing69]

Let me ask you this:

Is there a game you like where you know something is exceptionally done well? Like, it's not even a matter of opinion, but rather factual if you have any kind of understanding of the craft? Alright, you have that game, I'm assuming.

Say, I make a claim that the game isn't exceptionally done well. Am I right just because it's my opinion? I never said you or some dip sh*t can't have their opinion. You can have an opinion all you want, but that doesn't make you right.

So, my point is when someone makes a claim such as the writing in a game, that elevates narrative in the medium, to be "overbearing" makes me question your intelligence. I think that's fair, don't you agree? Or does it hurt your feelings that much when someone uses comparisons to get a point across?

And just for sh*ts and giggles, please tell me the game that has writing and narrative that pushes the medium forward for comparison sake.

[franwex]

Oh check out cerebro here.

Fact is most Remedy games have obtuse narratives and mid repetitive gameplay. It doesn’t mean anyone is smarter to appreciate it. I appreciate Sam Lake and Remedy, let’s not get it twisted. But if one doesn’t enjoy the narrative it is simply as someone preferring vanilla over chocolate.

[CrimsonWing69]

Mr. Cerebro to you, cubby.

And yea, I think 100% it takes some level of cognition to enjoy narratives that are “overbearing”.

Let’s put it this way, you put a 5 year old in front of a game like Alan Wake 2 and you’ll get a review like this. You put someone that can grasp the narrative like, oh I don’t know, the majority of the reviewers out there that specifically praise the narrative and you get very different criticisms. I’d argue one’s with more depth.

Sure, we can oversimplify that this was a “I like pizza over hamburgers,” but then wtf is the point of discussion here? Game is bad because narrative is too dense and so prevalent in the game vs game is good because its narrative is so dense and prevalent in the game?

Actually, what about this, what’s the point of reviews? Just to see opinions? If that’s the case, why the hell do I care about someone’s opinion when they can be so far off the mark with criticism and we defend it with it’s “simply someone preferring vanilla over chocolate?”

I’d expect a critic to have the ability to inform me of whether a game is good or not by X, Y, Z factors and being able to discern from good design and bad design derived by being a subject matter expert on what makes a game good or bad through many years of playing games that are, well, good and bad. A 6/10 for a game like this makes me think you don’t have the skills to be a critic and the criticism on the narrative are, once again, so far off.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this game gets a VGA for its storytelling. But I guess, hey, this reviewer’s not wrong because it’s opinion and chocolate they like over vanilla. Great review!

[Neonridr]

Granted I'm only on chapter 4 or so, but I'm loving the game so far. Took a bit of understanding the way the game works detective wise, but the story is starting to take off now and it's getting really good.

To each their own I guess.

[Dazelya]

Eurogamer has been preparing similar reviews of very successful games for a long time in order to gain "clicks". But here the editor clearly expressed his moronism. She seriously couldn't understand the story of Alan Wake 2, and unfortunately, she doesn't have the intelligence to understand any of Remedy's games. Unfortunately, things like this are too much for these people... But not every person will be intelligent, will be able to understand what they read/listen to, and will be able to write something, right? More than 50% of people do not even have a normal level of intelligence. And of course Alexis is one of them. Allowing such people to produce things is a much worse thing...

[SyntheticForm]

So, he doesn't understand it, therefore it's "overbearing" and needs an "editor." I've heard some bad takes but this is pretty embarrassing.

If you wanted more gameplay and less story, fine, I understand that preference and don't hold it against you, but don't pretend that it's poorly executed or conveyed because it's over your head.

[gold_drake]

i mean ... opinions are opinions, but this one aint true lol