Top 9 of ‘09: #2 – Alan Wake

For the next 2 days, we at Gamer 2.0 will continue counting down the 9 games we’re most interested going into 2009. We aren’t saying these will be the best games, we’re saying we’re watching these 9 the closest. Our countdown will end with our #1 game tomorrow on New Years Day, just in time to ring in another new year of gaming.

Here’s a quick recap:

• #9 – Metal Gear Solid Touch
• #8 – Ghostbusters
• #7 – Resident Evil 5
• #6 – Prototype
• #5 – MadWorld
• $4 – Brutal Legend
• #3 – BioShock 2

And #2 is…

#2 – Alan Wake

Anthony Perez
Publisher

Filippo Dinolfo
Associate Editor

… What? You’re expecting something clever and insightful about Alan Wake? Sorry, I’ve got nothing. I’m sure it will probably be a great game, but it’s just not my style.

Jacob Stutsman
Staff Writer

I think the potential with psychological thrillers to communicate something dark and disturbing to the mind through game mechanics is brimming, but it necessitates a developer with good ideas, ideas that are applicable beyond gameplay. For instance, Stephen King always carves out something in his stories that speaks to a part of us that can’t seem to turn away from the horrible and smoldering wreck. If such a thing is ever intertwined harmoniously with gameplay, then I think that it has the potential to advance the medium. I don’t know if Alan Wake is that game, but I think it holds the promise of bringing us closer to that gilded age.

Chris Selogy
Senior Editor

It’s kind of hard to be excited about a game that isn’t all that likely to be out in 2009. Hopefully Remedy has put enough work into Alan Wake so that it doesn’t end up like Duke Nukem Forever. Maybe Microsoft should let everyone in on what this game is about and why we should be excited about it, as well.

Josh Schwartzman
Staff Writer

Alan Wake has me intrigued only for the fact it is being developed by the same team behind the brilliant, yet under-looked series, Max Payne. I think the idea behind the game (about an author whose begins to see events happening around him as he writes in his books) is solid enough to keep slim interest among older gamers, but I can’t help but feel that Alan Wake will turn out to be just another Max Payne in the mainstream audience.

Edward Love
Staff Writer

Alan Wake has been on the top of my wishlist for years. The fact that it still stands at the summit is a testament to the skill Remedy has demonstrated with their Max Payne series. Moreover, Alan Wake looks to blend third-person action with sandbox-style roaming; an intriguing concoction, all told. I dearly hope Alan Wake sees the light of day. With a story that seemingly delves into the supernatural and the plight of a writer at the fore, the game looks like it’ll deliver a superb character-led action adventure.

Matt J. McDonald
SmashPad Blogger

Alan Wake has me jazzed up because it’s a game with potential to be a hit, while still taking a unique point of view. It reminds me of all the excitement that the early looks at the latest Alone In The Dark drummed up, so let’s hope Alan Wake can come through on the ambitious stuff.

Daniel Phillips
Contributor

Can I use expletives to express how giddy this game makes me? Can you say Barton Fink? Naked Lunch? Secret Window? Think about it: A videogame character who writes a thriller novel that, with the disappearance of his lady, slowly comes true. I love meta anything, and judging from the superb, hard-boiled noir of Max Payne prior, Remedy is just the ticket to pulling off the first game that scrabbles our minds and assumptions about character and plot while delving headfirst into the madness of writing itself. This title has “ignored gem” written all over its pages.

Related posts:

1. Max Payne 3’s New Developers? Should We Be Worried?
2. Top 9 of ‘09: #6 – Prototype
3. Top 9 of ‘09: #1 – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
4. Max Payne 1 & 2 Now Xbox Originals
5. Top 9 of ‘09: #3 – BioShock 2