“Lies of P” surely wears its inspiration on its sleeves, drawing heavily from the FromSoftware playbook in its steampunk revisitation of the "Pinocchio" novel in a mood reminiscent of “Bloodborne”. For fans of the soulslike genre, this game serves as a commendable love letter, showcasing a deep understanding of its mechanics and atmosphere.

However, the game is surely not without its flaws. Its derivative nature, combined with a somewhat linear and monotonous story progression with the same environment being repeated all over, may quickly lead to player fatigue. The incorporation of soulslike tropes also seems to border on the malicious on many occasions, as if frustration is a prerequisite for authenticity. The parry window is ridiculously tight, with the payoff not even being worth the risk most of the time. Adding to the challenge is the unintuitive timing of enemy attacks, making the learning curve remarkably uneven. Some puppets also tend to have infinite stamina and absurd attack ranges, to the point that regular enemies combined with silly traps and narrow hallways end up being more frustrating than actual bosses. The infamous fireball and fat clown sequence is the epitome of the team's questionable taste for level design.

Despite these issues, the game somehow retains an irresistible quality, compelling players to persist. Whether it's the atmospheric allure, the satisfying combat experience, or the unmistakable soulslike essence, there's an undeniable charm that keeps players engaged.

I have completed two runs and got all trophies in approximately 50 hours, with about 10 hours only spent on overcoming Fuoco and the Nameless Puppet. Those were the only two times the game demanded a deeper understanding of its mechanics. While the initial struggle may feel daunting, encountering the Nameless Puppet earlier in the game could have provided a more balanced difficulty curve, as it really helped me master dynamics like a perfect guard, guard regain, and prosthetic arm tricks, allowing me to go through NG+ almost effortlessly.

I never had an Xbox and never felt the urge to purchase one until “Alan Wake” came out. The mood seemed to somehow bring together two of my favorite franchises: “Silent Hill” and “Twin Peaks”. I mean, it even has its own Log Lady alternative!! Finally able to play the game over a decade later, I have to say that the mood and atmosphere are definitely its strongest points. It masterfully captures the unsettling tone of its inspirations, enveloping players in an eerie and mysterious world.

However, despite the intriguing setting and atmosphere, "Alan Wake" falls short in the gameplay department. The novelty of using light to weaken enemies before shooting them is refreshing, but the repetitive nature of the gameplay loop becomes a burden too quickly. Some areas drag on for too long, making the experience feel monotonous and, at times, unsatisfying. The constant resetting of inventory and equipment, even within a single episode, hampers player and character progression, leaving a sense of stagnation throughout.

I also found the narrative a little fragmented. It's not the non-linear structure that poses a challenge, but rather the clunky dialogue and abrupt transitions during chapters and cutscenes, which make things difficult to follow.
In short, "Alan Wake" shines in its ability to conjure a haunting atmosphere, paying homage to franchises that hardly find a counterpart in video games. However, its gameplay struggles with repetitiveness and a lack of progression, while the narrative, though intriguing, tends to stumble due to its fragmented presentation. Despite these shortcomings, the game manages to carve its niche, offering a unique experience for those drawn to its distinctive mood.

About the DLCs: the first one is just a patchwork of areas previously encountered in the game, definitely skippable. The second one makes a more creative use of the surreal elements of the setting, and also uses the environment in interesting ways. The ending is as anticlimactic as the main game, but the overall experience felt slightly more diversified.

Both a parody and a love letter to the two “Metal Gear” games, although the OTT voice acting clearly roots to the first “Metal Gear Solid” as well. The goofy humor somewhat reminded me of Mel Brooks’ spoofs. Although it’s surprisingly fun at the beginning, I ended up feeling slightly exhausted by the end. Each chapter provides diversified gameplay without repeating the stealth dynamics too much, but there are also a few areas and bosses that required so many tries that it ended up breaking the pacing a little. It was also tedious to be forced to heal the guards after shooting them, as you cannot kill anyone in the game. A more compact experience could have left a much stronger impression, preserving the initial enjoyment without succumbing to frustration. Despite these drawbacks, “Unmetal” still manages to deliver a worthy experience for fans of the genre.