Alan Wake 2 is Huber's Favorite Game of 2023

[@PurpleZero11]

Love how enthusiastic Huber gets when he talks video games

[@ddust102]

Me, too🎉

[@jonesygrets6029]

I think he gets a bit overboard

[@mcdillard4985]

Really love the “Impressions” uploads for new releases! While official reviews are nice, at the end of the day most of us are just trying to get a sense of how the game feels, and discussing in a conversational structure is way more helpful to be honest. Plus this lets us hear your honest impressions right away in an honest format without having to rush out a polished comprehensive review. Keep em’ coming!

[@PixelPunchTV]

Much agreed. I started to watch some other 13 minute review which was spoiling a lot with dramatic videos from the game and I had to stop. I'd much rather have this discussion on the day of versus a polished review several days later. Allows for a much more honest conversation about vibe, story, and gameplay.

[@mcdillard4985]

@@PixelPunchTV Exactly. I don’t want a full breakdown of the game and mechanics before I’ve even played it. Too likely to color my experience and opinion. But hearing a “friend” gush about a game they like, or express their disappointments and concerns is usually enough for me to know whether I want to jump in. I’m so familiar with the EZA gang and their tastes at this point, I can weight their thoughts and opinions accordingly, lol. E.g., if Don is super into it, it’s probably a hidden gem with a niche audience. If Brad is pumped, it’s probably got great combat systems/solid mechanics. If it’s a Huber joint, it’s all about VIBES and shotgun quality.

[@Ayoul]

I do still prefer when they do a dedicated discussion rather than cut out a segment from something else.

[@blakeandcamp]

As a massive Twin Peaks & David Lynch fan (if the avatar didn't already give it away), I cannot overstate enough how much Alan Wake 2 feels like it's a game ghostwritten by Lynch himself. There are obvious Peaks references and homages everywhere just like there were in the first Alan Wake, but beyond that it feels like Sam Lake took direct influence from Twin Peaks: The Return's much darker tone. I've only played 8 hours so far, but I'm already astounded by the atmosphere / environments on display. There are very few game devs that nail dreamlike atmosphere and I think Remedy does it better than anyone. We're really fortunate that Sam Lake has the free rein that he has to make these types of games because nobody else is making stuff like this in gaming. It's incredible.

[@SeaToSkyImages]

Huber's full endorsement is basically all I need to hear. I can't wait to play this.

[@bht96]

This game was made for me. I can’t describe how much I’ve been enjoying it. Just, wow. Could this shape up to be my favorite game ever? So far, it’s shaping up to be. Exactly, the immersion and the exploration is exactly what I love in a game and this is just indescribable how awesome it is. I know, I’m gushing. I think you MUST play the first game. Play that first, seriously. Also, Control will help you a lot too. But, yes, PLAY THE FIRST GAME before this and maybe Control as well.

[@elementInfinitium]

I played for 2-3 hours last night and it's been great at world building and overall feeling eerie and creepy. Very Twin Peaks. The super cheap full screen jumpscares I can do without though..

[@jizzledoops6789]

Yeah. Those are lame.

[@bryanmoberg8408]

yeah, those are obnoxious, but otherwise it's fantastic so far. And some of the low key references to 1 and control make things way more creepy in context.

[@blakeandcamp]

I don't even think they're jump scares really. I don't get the complaints over it. I haven't been caught off-guard by them at all. They happen in generally obvious moments when you're already on edge anyways.

[@mattengland653]

Started it last night - insane… just the first 3 minutes - the title sequence - it’s got more creativity and bravado in it than most modern AAA games entire length… I feel like the visuals aren’t getting talked about enough - again, just that intro - it looks PHOTOREALISTIC - I smoked a fat bowl and it startled me how good it looked.. it’s a near perfect marriage of traditional arty/edgy filmmaking and interactive gameplay. Something Remedy has always toyed with but went whole hog on here.. Sam Lake and the world class team at Remedy are on their own level man

[@NCRLouTenant]

Saw the notification for the title of the video and said aloud "Of course it is!" Knowing Huber is in is truly all i needed to know.

[@Maxxximilian90]

This game is a masterpiece, one of the best videogames ever made.

[@primordial2.07]

The actual GOTY

[@G_Rad_Ski]

Played it for 5 hours last night, loved it!

[@ubersoldat91]

I'm so glad Remedy was able to deliver on this game. They really capture unusual veering into creepy worlds better than anyone else (except for maybe Swery lol)

[@bryanmoberg8408]

Even more so than Evil Within 2, this gives me STRONG Deadly Premonition vibes, in that it has that element of being goofy in the downtime between scary parts, but doing so in a way that's a little unnerving, a little uncanny valley.

[@paulseidler1644]

Waiting on that review😵‍💫 I'm halfway through myself and it's fighting at my core for goty with RE4. It honestly might edge it out because it's more survival horror than RE4. This game is basically RE2 remake, Evil Within 2, Last of Us, and Control in a blender and I fucking love it.

[@JohnnyBg2905]

Ofc he is, we didn't see such gem for ages.

[@TheSSJSnoop]

Damiani quiet as a mouse lol

[@TSE_WOODY]

Looked tired here lol

[@Coreyahno]

Bring up Final Fantasy or Nintendo and he’ll talk for 10 straight minutes uninterrupted.

[@obba40]

only when its mario or Zelda otherwise its similar @@Coreyahno

[@Dumb_Woof]

Bro hates discussing anything that he has absolutely no interest in. I remember when him and Brad went to a dragon quest event and Brad had to talk the entire time cause Damiani wouldn't say anything other than "its fine".

[@TheSSJSnoop]

@@Dumb_Woof Wow, that's so weird since DQ should be something he's into, a revered Jrpg franchise. Sorta reminds me how he's played OG RE4 20x but never even touched Dead Space until the Remake.

[@Aaronaldo90]

After playing Alan Wake 2 for 10 minutes, immediately thought of Huber 😂

[@PixelPunchTV]

BATHE IN THE ALAN WAKE ZEITGEIST HUBER! SO HAPPY TODAY!!

[@mattappl3119]

If there's one thing Marvel's Spider-Man 2 could learn from Alan Wake 2, is making the 2 characters feel distinct.

[@awesomemark1234100]

I will say, rather than playing on hard turn off the aim assist. Was a noticeable difference, more so when using the flashlight

[@AgentAika001]

I Heard Huber say you can play this without the first one but is there a recap of Alan Wake as part of Alan Wake 2? Like a "previously on.. " I played a decent chunk but never finished it.

[@jonesygrets6029]

No play the first one

[@derekg2792]

i dont always agree with huber. but let this man cook

[@geoafe66]

Downloading it now😍 been super hyped like Huber, finally it is here.

[@sanskarmishra5309]

Love ya huber

[@quezcatol]

So, digital copy only, and dlc is coming later- this is a perfect game to pick up on a deep sale in the future.

[@kdscool1536]

So you are broke as hell? Cool.

[@MrStrangermoon]

huber have to play 1999 Nocturne game. wihout experience that all survivor horror knowledge half. residetn evil slient hill was below the nocturne BELOW. it was alan wake 2 like effects on 99.

[@Binary79]

Control may have poisoned my willingness to visit the Remedy-verse Well. I bought Control day 1 (based on EZA review) and found it so boilerplate bland I thought I had to be missing something. The Tech-Demo Bureau environment coupled with the paper thin "story" and shallow characters had me trudging through the game for a good 5 hours waiting for it to get good. Alas it sounds like AW2 has sorted these issues Control had.

[@user-ct8my8rv9c]

Damiani looks like he'd rather be anywhere else.

[@BC-wt6dw]

He usually does unless it's FF or Nintendo related. You'd think for someone who has worked in games media for as long as he has he'd at least pretend to seem interested for the sake of conversation.

[@Desigamericano]

My Game walkthrough tutorial is ready for you all 💧💧

[@natpoolpewpew7112]

I love these cut outs of the other shows! Sometimes I’ll zone out or not remember a specific convo so it’s nice to have impressions to check back in on

[@mag9175]

I played the first alan wake and found it not that good, but this one looks very promicing.

[@interlinkedMedia]

Me too

[@hododod246]

Do I have to play first game?

[@jonesygrets6029]

Yes

[@bryanmoberg8408]

probably, the narrative itself is fairly disconnected from the events of the first game, but it's loaded with lore and character references. Having the context of the first game (and to some extent control) isn't strictly necessary, but it does make a huge difference.

[@jonesygrets6029]

So yes l! Play the first one

[@braskabani8011]

Better than re4 remake?

[@ChrizHawk90]

Is that even possible?

[@lukemoonwalker8444]

I think you have to factor in the comparison between a remake and a brand new game, Huber said himself it's not necessarily a 10, but he prefers this.

[@Darstag]

God lord no

[@librarygary1618]

Yes.

[@chrislee5268]

It has more soul, but that isn't hard when you compare AW2 to a soulless game like RE4make.

[@AHeyk]

I love evil within 2, if it’s anything like that I’m all in

[@bryanmoberg8408]

As much as you can explore, it's far less open than evil within 2, but otherwise feels very similar, a lot of the spookier moments really are heavily reminiscent of the evil within 2's more linear story segments too.

[@sunnywagle8995]

Remedy is heavily underrated considering how consistently they have delivered a unique and immersive narrative experience. Quantum break is arguably their weakest release and that game is still a solid 8/10 for me.

[@VictorIV0310]

Greetings

[@soccerj75]

No Physical Copy, No Buy!

[@miketexas4549]

Yeah that's what's got me on the fence. I buy disks.

[@bryanmoberg8408]

much as i'm generally on that train, and really hope it gets a limited run physical release or something...this might be worth making an exception, remedy has earned my faith and trust over the years. I hate that it's digital only but...

[@chuckwoods7321]

I don’t think it’s fair to discredit people because of their colleague. Dustin was only nice to you guys. I think it’s time to stop supporting you guys. I’ve been a fan since the GT days and I want to thank you for all the great content since then. Especially your reactions and reviews. Cheers

[@robardian3697]

Completely agree with you. Honestly think Huber and Bosman should team up for content. They would be a great team. When you care more about 1 or 2 of your eccentric woke patrons you lose all credibility. Really gives me a flashback of the Greg and Colin fallout with Kinda Funny.

[@chuckwoods7321]

@@robardian3697like I would get it if he acted like a tool, but he was great. I don’t know, I’m all for creating safe spaces but people should be treated with respect both ways. Anyway, I don’t want to get worked up 😂

[@october-xxv]

Another impressions video and not an actual review? Man.

[@antoniohollandjr4294]

What's wrong with impressions? I mean the title says it's his favorite game if 2023. He's yell ng you what to expext. Do you really need that number at end of the video?

[@october-xxv]

Oh there’s no hate behind my comment. It’s just a trend I’ve noticed the past couple months with EZA. Like this has to be the 4th or even 5th big release where we have no official review, but literally every other big outlet does. Yet again EZA is falling behind and the decline in quality is becoming noticeable.

[@TSE_WOODY]

@@antoniohollandjr4294reviews are normally higher effort content, more interesting editing and commentary. Not that I have a problem with the impressions stuff but to act like replacing reviews for impressions would not be a slight drop in quality is a bit silly.

[@elementInfinitium]

Review on the way. A lot of outlets got their codes late.

[@Dumb_Woof]

I much prefer some quick thoughts from Huber, so he doesn't have to crunch to get another review out asap. The Spidey one was only a week ago.

[@Sensates85]

I played for an hour and it's already felt better than Scorsese latest

[@LfunkeyA]

no

[@TheVenom2010]

Probably a good horror game, but better than RE 4 Remake? Doubtful .

[@labibzahid3013]

In terms of the everything other than core gameplay, Alan Wake 2 is better imho. Both amazing games though, you cant go wrong with either

[@librarygary1618]

I'm a few hours in and it's very comparable to the recent REmakes. They basically bit the new resident evil flow word for word, bar for bar and ended up making arguably a better game IMO because of the interactive combat and environment mechanics as well as how strong the narrative/multimedia stuff is on top.

[@jamesgeppetto5316]

It’s more inventive than RE4R. Far less generic and a lot more passion went into development from what I can tell.

[@TheVenom2010]

@@jamesgeppetto5316 Don't forget RE4R is a Remake of 1 of the best games of all time and its right up there if not better than the original, like i said i'm sure Alane Wake 2 is a great game but you can't really compare to RE4R since its just that a remake of an original game, where as Alan Wake 2 is a brand new game , i just don't see it being a better experience than RE 4R.

[@jamesgeppetto5316]

@@TheVenom2010 RE4R for me, personally, is nowhere near as good as the original resident evil 4. It completely missed the point of what made that game unique and fun. RE4R is another action horror game, and all charm of the original was stripped from it. It’s not a bad game, but it’s massively overrated. Even the combat mechanics are broken.

[@TapTwoCounterspell]

Oh great, they are limiting resources and ammo in 2023! Why are we going backwards. Its not good to make me STARE at the ammo in my pistol and hesitate to use a weapon in a game.

[@thebasilisks]

Easy allies is dying, brad and huber should jump ship.

[@johnostrander4156]

Is that guy on meth, coke, speed? WTF?