Alan Wake

This game is a homage to some of the greatest tension builders of all time. Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Rod Serling, Alfred Hitchcock, Bret Easton Ellis. The names are enough to make anyone excited, but more important is the tangible influence they had on Alan Wake. Remedy Entertainment has taken the unique aspects of each and weaved a psychological thriller to rival their heroes. The game follows its synonymous writer as he arrives in a mountain retreat called Bright Falls that does not live up to its name. The small town is home to a malevolent force, strange inhabitants, and a seemingly endless fog. It's an environment that's as beautiful as it is creepy, but it's when you get away from civilization that the game really shines. As buildings give way to towering pines, creatures begin to shuffle about in the night. Crows and poltergeists lurk, only held at bay by light. Away from the streetlights that can be a problem, but thankfully Alan has a trusty, magical flashlight to keep him company. It makes for a tense atmosphere, having to sacrifice battery power for safety, and temporarily forgo light to fire off a bullet or two. Along the way, manuscript pages and discoveries tell the story of a town's dark history, meticulously building into a crescendo that will leave you hunched over your desk and shying away from the windows.