Alan Wake

I finished my first computer game of 2025, Alan Wake. I played about half of it in December and just finished it yesterday. It was originally released for Xbox 360 in 2010. Given its console roots, I opted to play it with a game controller. I found Alan Wake to be an enjoyable third-person action thriller/horror game. You play as the titular character who is a crime fiction writer. Alan is obsessed with finding his missing (dead?) wife Alice. In the town of Bright Falls, a darkness is spreading. Alan is pursued by the "Taken", tainted beings who mercilessly attack him at every opportunity. Along the way, Alan gets some help from his agent and best friend Barry as well as Sheriff Sarah Breaker. The narrative is presented like a television show with six episodes and recaps ("previously on Alan Wake…") between episodes. The game did a good job creating a spooky atmosphere and the voice acting was very good. Once I got the hang of it, combat was satisfying as well. The enemy of the darkness is light so a flashlight or lantern is often your most valuable possession. Alan acquires more firepower along the way with flares, flashbangs, flare guns, revolvers, shotguns, and hunting rifles. All in all, it was one of the better third-person action games I've played.