Story is typically an afterthought in videogames. The intense focus on gameplay elements (and often graphics) leaves little room for a well-thought-out tale, let alone a nuanced one. “Alan Wake” is an exception — offering a carefully crafted saga that still manages to be one of the better titles put out in the past year. A suspenseful mystery-thriller, set in the same style as “Lost,” the game is one of Microsoft’s big bets of 2010 — and has been one of the industry’s most anticipated titles for several years; today is the day the wraps come off.

Developer Remedy is well respected in the industry and among players, having created the “Max Payne” franchise (which Fox adapted into a 2008 film). Any Remedy game is going to appeal to the sweet spot for gaming’s core audience (typically males 18-24). But with Microsoft’s marketing machine behind it, the title may reach beyond that to a mass audience, as did the “Grand Theft Auto” franchise.”Alan Wake” blends a spooky atmosphere with tremendous combat elements, adding some creative storytelling to keep the player riveted from beginning to end.

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