 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Alan Wake
- Xbox 360
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Story-driven thriller with lots of terror, some violence.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Alan Wake is rated "Teen" rather than "Mature." There is violence and a little blood, but it's not as graphic or sustained as other video games with shooting. Plus, our hero is a fundamentally good man who typically prefers to flee whenever possible and only fights his evil, supernatural assailants when absolutely necessary. That said, he does wield a weapon and shoot at enemies, some of which are possessed people.
What's it about?
If David Lynch and J. J. Abrams ever collaborated on a video game, the result would likely resemble ALAN WAKE, a strange single-player adventure about a bestselling author in the middle of a dry spell. To overcome his writer's block, Alan's wife, Alice, brings him to a small north-western town called Bright Falls (think Twin Peaks), but Alice soon disappears without a trace. After awakening from a blackout, Wake discovers he has written a new manuscript depicting the events happening around him, but can't remember what he put down on paper -- until he starts finding sheets strewn throughout the town that fill in some blanks and foreshadow impending danger.
Is it any good?
This 10- to 12-hour story-driven horror game delivers plenty of thrills and chills. Played from a third-person perspective, Wake must explore the once-idyllic town in which he finds himself, talk with many memorable residents to gather clues, and work together with allies such as the town sheriff and his agent to battle supernatural foes. Combat focuses on using light to defeat the creepy things that go bump in the night. This includes weapons (such as flash grenades) and tools (flashlights and flares).
Gamers who prefer story-driven adventures, such as Sony's Heavy Rain or EA's Mass Effect 2, should appreciate Alan Wake as an interactive suspense novel with supernatural undertones.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how games like Alan Wake envelop the gamer in an atmospheric tale dripping with suspense, memorable characters, and an interactive world to explore. What's different about the story in this game as opposed to other games? It's clear the developers were influenced by other media, such as movies, books, and TV shows. Should more game designers look elsewhere for inspiration?
Families can also discuss the difference between battling normal humans and possessed humans. Does this make the violence seem less visceral? Or do you pity the possessed all the more because they've been taken over and have no control of their actions?
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AGE
Perfect game for tweens.
This game is a very fun game and its not the violence, drugs, sex, and consumerism the issue is this game is rather scary in fact that dark people pop out at you at unsuspecting times. There is some minor language in it including $#!T and @$$ but it really isn't a bad game.
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AGE
EPIC!!!!!!!
This game is so epic and its a great terror game! The storyline is so good, I think this should be made into a movie. PARENTS, not much to look out for. A little bit of alchohol usage, and some guns, but no blood. The frightening storyline may be a little too intense for kids under 10.
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AGE
Looks good for tweens!
I haven't played this but t looks really fun based on the videos I've seen!
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Kid, 12 years old
December 30, 2010
AGE
I only saw the part when the guy from his stories and says how he feels in his stories and something about a pickaxe while you run away while my dad was playing. I also saw the part when he runs into the hitch hiker. It was a little creepy, but I knew it was going to get creepyer from there on out. The main character would rather flee than fight, so he is a very good role model. The controls also looked easy.
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AGE
good game
I LOVE this game, it's great, it's kinda like a TV show but in video game form. Not scary at all. Some minor language but great for tweens
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AGE
13+ sounds good.
I have feeling you guys don't have this game. in 2 parts of the game, NPCS are shown liying in pools of blood. Good game, but I beat it in 4 days.
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AGE
Great for teens and mature tweens.
I just got this game for my birthday and I have to say I love it. I wouldn't say its scary but rather that it keeps you on the edge of your seat. I personally love to play it at night when the darkness on screen kind of matches your surroundings and I feel that it just kind of adds to the effect. This also has the best story in a video game o ever played and the game really pulls you into the world of Bright Falls.The gameplay is also surprisingly easy. You move with the analogue stick boost you light with the left trigger to weaken the shield of darkness around the taken as the enemies in the game are called and then while they're vulnerable you shoot them with the right trigger. All this with the ability to explore to get an insight of events of the future makes this one of my favorite games.
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AGE
Personnally i love this game, it isnt very violent and it has a great storyline, it can get kind of cheesy at some parts but still a great game and not scary, some parts are very funny, so overall i'd have to say this game is alot of fun and wouldnt hurt any children emotionally.
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| Platforms: | Xbox 360 |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Microsoft Studios |
| Release date: | May 18, 2010 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence |
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