To be honest, I don't think the original Alan Wake is a very good game. Narratively I think it's fine, but the combat, encounters, and enemy design were really rough around the edges. While there were times the combat did shine, getting railed by birds and possessed objects wasn't my idea of a good time.

So I was genuinely surprised how much I enjoyed playing American Nightmare. Feels like they dialed in on what worked and what didn't in the first game. Your battery recharges a lot faster, encounters are better designed, the 'bird' enemies have been redesigned, and the few poltergeist enemies that do show up aren't the same light sponges they were before. Combat has a bit more of a cinematic flair as well.

The writing may not be as 'strong.' But there is a camp and silliness to it that is a bit more to my flavor than the original game. I personally found the story to be a pretty good time, and I enjoyed Mr. Scratch whenever he was on screen.

As someone who almost skipped this game to move on straight to 2, I'd recommend playing this first. I think it is a pretty good time, and has me looking forward to Alan Wake 2 a bit more whenever I actually get around to it.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Alan Wake: American Nightmare feels like an interesting experiment but doesn’t quite live up to the original. While it retains the core elements that made Alan Wake memorable—atmospheric tension, eerie settings, and the flashlight mechanic—it struggles to recapture the same magic.

The story in American Nightmare is more focused than its predecessor, following Alan as he faces off against his dark alter ego. It’s a bit more straightforward, but it also feels less complex and engaging. Compared to the mysterious narrative of the original, this one feels more like a standard action thriller with fewer twists and much less emotional depth. It’s more “action-focused” than the psychological horror, which takes away from the sense of dread and suspense.

Gameplay-wise, it’s more action-oriented than the first game, with a greater emphasis on combat. You get a decent variety of weapons, and the gameplay loop is fun for a while with the usual flashlight and weapon combo. However, the encounters can get repetitive pretty quickly. The enemy variety is lacking, and the wave-based combat sections can get tedious pretty quickly. The level design also feels a bit more limited compared to the first game, as you're often stuck in the same areas, which can make the experience feel a bit more like a “spin-off” rather than a full sequel.

The graphics are still solid for its time, with the typical eerie desert landscapes and night settings. The soundtrack and sound design are also fine, but nothing stands out in the same way as the original game’s atmospheric tension.

In terms of replayability, the game offers an arcade mode with different challenges. It feels more like a short diversion.

Overall, Alan Wake: American Nightmare is a decent enough follow-up, but it feels more like a side project than a true sequel. It’s enjoyable, but if you’re hoping for a deeper or more refined experience that continues the psychological horror of Alan Wake, you might be disappointed.

I hope they remaster this game at some point for next gen consoles but even if they don't it's still good
although it does sometimes crash or give a black screen at certain points in which you'd need to close the game then open it again
I still would recommend it

Alan woke up from his nightmare
It was very american

Good Upgrade from Alan Wake, combat feels much smoother and the story was interesting. If you enjoyed Alan Wake this is a step in the right direction.

Yeah, this wasn't great.

Sure, the graphics are more glossy, but the story was short, boring, and so repetitive I felt like I was just constantly replaying sections. Combat was laughably easy and ammo was way too common. It just feels like a bad spin-off and lacks the charm that made Alan Wake 1 so great.

It's a 3/10 from me. Doesn't hold a candle to Alan Wake 1.

this was truly alan's american nightmare

Enjoyed it!

Музыка из терарии ахх момент

Just a simple extra mission of the original game, play it if you are a hardcore fan of the original.