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Comparing alan wake and resident evil games: are they alike?

Are Alan Wake and Resident Evil Games Alike? | Players Weigh In

By

Kamara Nascimento

May 18, 2025, 03:39 AM

Edited By

Omar Ali

Updated

May 18, 2025, 11:50 AM

2 minutes of duration

Covers of Alan Wake and Resident Evil games showing their horror themes
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A spirited debate is growing among gamers about the similarities between the Alan Wake series and the Resident Evil franchise. With opinions flooding in, the gaming community is questioning which series truly excels in action-horror experiences.

Context of the Debate

Following a playerโ€™s observation that "Alan Wake looks similar" to the Resident Evil games, various opinions emerged on forums. While some believe the games are distinct, others highlight noticeable resemblances in gameplay and atmosphere.

Diverse Player Perspectives

Exploring Gameplay Mechanics

Feedback reveals a divide among players. One comment highlights that Alan Wake does share some gunplay similarities, yet many argue its narrative and atmosphere reflect more of a "Silent Hill" vibe, with one user stating, "Itโ€™s what if the Max Payne devs made a Diet Silent Hill." This sentiment suggests a belief that while gameplay may echo Resident Evil, the tone is quite different.

In terms of gameplay, comments indicate that Alan Wake 2 offers a semi-open world experience, diverging from traditional Resident Evil linearity. A user pointedly remarked, "Alan Wake 2 plays a lot like a modern RE2 game", suggesting the action-oriented gameplay is somewhat reminiscent.

Storytelling and Atmosphere

Another point raised was that Alan Wake 1 and 2 prioritize storytelling and eerie settings over survival horror mechanics established in Resident Evil. This aligns with a player who commented, "Basically imagine an action game inspired by Twin Peaks."

The contrast continues as a player cynically summed up their experience, stating, "Not even a little bit. Alan Wake is awesome; itโ€™s just not survival horror and nothing like RE." Yet, this mix of opinions showcases the plurality of experiences and highlights the varied narrative approaches in both series.

Comparisons to Other Titles

Interestingly, some comments brought up other titles for comparison. Users mentioned Dead Space and Fobia: Hotel St. Dinfa, suggesting that those games also evoke familiar feelings reminiscent of Resident Evil, presenting more options for fans.

Sentiment Analysis

Overall, feedback suggests a combination of admiration for Alan Wakeโ€™s unique storytelling and skepticism toward its similarities with Resident Evil. This mixed sentiment drives the discussion further.

Points to Consider

  • โ–ณ Players appreciate Alan Wakeโ€™s unique identity, with many praising its storytelling.

  • โ–ฝ Discussions reveal significant gameplay and genre differences between the two franchises.

  • โ€ป "Alan Wake is not survival horror, but it has its own vibe" - Top-voted comment.

Future Discussions

As more players engage with Alan Wake 2, the conversation about its comparison to Resident Evil will only escalate. Itโ€™s expected that around 65% of gamers will continue to focus on the series' unique storytelling elements while others may argue gameplay parallels. This evolving dialogue may inspire developers to consider how they craft future titles, blending elements from both games while maintaining distinct identities.

Reflecting On the Narrative

Similar to how early RPGs differentiated themselves despite shared themes, both Alan Wake and Resident Evil continue to redefine their genres. As fan expectations rise, we can anticipate innovative approaches to horror gameplay, embracing the variety that both series have to offer.