"Visibly embattled, from its lifeless vestigial third-person combat to its then-unprecedented use of product placement; one can sense the Microsoft execs bristling at the idea of ponying up the big bucks for a video game with a writer protagonist. The lack of confidence on display is only exacerbated by the overexplained cosmology and intertextual references, Remedy tossing fish to clapping seals who may or may not be media-literate enough to recognize a reference to The Shining. Using obscure collectibles as narrative scaffolding and the cryptic ending at least suggest some measure of interest in letting the player piece the world together themselves, as befitting a game about narrative and mythmaking. The stormy PNW atmosphere is also a major positive tilt for me, and you do have to give it some credit for attempting an unconventional starting point for genre entertainment. " - A disgruntled man

The hubris in the above review reflects an individual who has succumed to the elder gods. Alan wake is a departure for Remedy but also entangled with the guilt of creating one of the most prolific action video games of all time. In creating alan wake they attempt to murder that which made them legendary in the first place.

Under ridiculous expectations both from executives and fans it's no wonder that this game is as polarising as it is.
The pure gameplay junkies will foster great resentment at Remedy for this but those with understanding will see that they did not want to feel beholden to it's audience for all eternity.

The ending of Alan wake being open ended and writing an escape in a sense narratively fits what has now become remedys cherry pie. Not stuck in the pasts glory days but at the same time hallmarks of max payne can be found all over their work.

They understand more than the begrudgeny audience that shower max payne in the light while leaving the studio that made it in the dark.
The meta nature of the game will make the avid gamer scream so for those like myself who don't mind the pacing or structure then it's a non issue.
Alan wake getting prop killed by a fridge is as hillarious as it sounds.
Don't waste your time with reviews that sneer and whine over this title.
They're worth the same as leech's on a penny wound.