ALAN WAKE EXPERIENCE by BASIC GAMES

 

ALAN WAKE EXPERIENCE by BASIC GAMES for ZX Spectrum 48K

Important notice:

This is one of those ‘special’ games that you should play before reading this review.

   Rather than praising our participants at the outset, I would like to point out that BASIC GAMES, a well-known company, is very fond of puns, as can be seen from the loading screens of this game. There are Spanish and English versions with subtle differences, as well as variations in the title. The protagonist is also depicted differently: female in one version and male in the other, despite having the same name in the game. Nonsense! As it should be. The high quality of the entries may cause us to forget the name of the competition...

   Magnificent loading screens, it must be said.

   Now, let's take a look at the game's description from the files we received:

"Prepare yourself for an immersive and profoundly... innovative experience.

                **ALAN WAKE EXPERIENCE ©**

Dive into the tense atmosphere and psychological suspense of... the wait.

Will you survive the night? Will you solve the enigmas of the darkness?

Discover a new dimension of interactive storytelling, where every second counts."

   That introduction is both disturbing and inviting. I'm eager to experience it. Go!

   Uncover the secrets I will.

   "m" I press.

   And now we see the main screen of the game:

   I think we can all see a perfect representation of the Japanese digital wristwatches that were so popular (and still are) in the 1980s.

(love it)

   After waiting a little while, nothing happens, so I press the ‘m’ key again and...

   Accompanied by a voice that was both mocking and reminiscent of a cruel witch. And this happens every time you press ‘m’ or any other key.

   Time passes slowly. No, it's not slow; it's real. The clock ticks away the hours and minutes. I have no choice but to play Vinnie Moore's 'As Time Slips By' and wait.

   Time...

   Time...

 

   It's winter and time is passing, but nothing is happening. The lyrics that come to mind are...

"And you run, and you run to catch up with the sun, but it′s sinking

Racing around to come up behind you again

The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older

Shorter of breath, and one day closer to death

Home, home again

I like to be here when I can

When I come home, cold and tired

It's good to warm my bones beside the fire

Far away, across the field

The tolling of the iron bell

Calls the faithful to their knees

To hear the softly spoken magic spells"

 - Richard Wright, Nick Mason, David Gilmour, Roger Waters

   Let us remember that these watches could run on their batteries for a length of time that no modern device can even dream of.

   I would say that dawn is approaching.

   After this agonisingly long wait, what awaits me? Will I be consumed by the sun's rays, having transformed into a creature of the night? Will there be complex puzzles waiting for me to solve? Will my torch illuminate the fate of humanity? Will I be revealed secrets that this place guards only for the brave? Will the game transform into a frenetic arcade? I can't wait to find out!

   Well...

   Hahahahahahaha !!!

   Collecting all the batteries for the torch: A high-level presentation for a brilliant joke. I had a great time discovering the game's absurdity. The technical aspect deserves praise, of course - the game is actually a 'real-time Seiko 8-hour watch simulator'. It's crap at its finest.

Scrambled Smile: 9/10

Broccoli and Squid Yoghourt: 8/10

Deep Fried Ice Cream: 6/10

Strawberry Monosodium Glutamate: 1/10

Affable Hot Chocolate Sauce: 7/10