The Alan Wake Files

by Clay Steward

A brave and deeply disturbing account of one man's attempt to confront the visions that haunted him. Clay Steward's gripping journey takes him to a small town in the pacific Northwest where he follows in the tracks of best-selling author Alan Wake and renegade FBI Agent Robert Nightingale. There he travels ever deeper in the woods and ever farther into the heart of darkness to unravel a series of mysterious events that reach hundreds of years into the past and chillingly into the present.

Genres: Horror, Video Games, Media Tie In, Fiction, Lovecraftian, Science Fiction

73 pages, PDF

First published May 14, 2010

About the author

Clay Steward is a library assistant from Madison, Wisconsin.

Steward had never met Alan Wake before, but he began suffering nightmares of Bright Falls and events related to the illustrious suspense author.

Haunting visions eventually drove Steward to visit the small town, after he had already alienated his wife and son with progressively strange behavior. He followed the trail left by Agent Robert Nightingale, an FBI agent who had been looking for Wake before Steward.

He wrote The Alan Wake Files, a book documenting his journey.

Reviews

[Thikrayat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this only because I am interested in dreams. Nothing special.

[itchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

a lot of insight that may or may not be useful, game-wise.

[Filipe Miguel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compilado e apresentado algum tempo após os acontecimentos que levaram ao desaparecimento de Alan Wake, é um interessante complemento de viagem da experiência oferecida pela Remedy em Bright Falls.

Num estilo marcadamente de documentário, Clay Steward conta o que o levou a dirigir-se aquela cidade perdida no estado de Washington, o que encontrou por lá e em que estado ficou a sua vida depois do regresso a casa.

No livro encontramos entrevistas, pedaços do manuscrito do próprio Alan Wake, partes dos primeiros contos escritos por ele, notas de um Agente do FBI - Agente Nightingale -, e alguns artigos de jornal dos anos 70 relacionados com a história.

Para quem não passou pela experiência de Bright Falls, acredito que o livro não tenha grande interesse. Por outro lado, para quem conheceu Alan, Rose, Bill e a própria cidade, há uma certa nostalgia ao visualizar toda esta documentação.

Como livro não resulta, principalmente para quem não conhece a história; como material de pesquisa e de aprofundamento do conhecimento de Bright Falls, sim.

Esperava mais, mas não me desiludiu por aí além. Cumpre e considero-o bem conseguido.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

[Tony Digzza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro que es practicamente una investigación de un ex agente del FBI sobre lo ocurrido en Bright Falls cuando estuvo Alan Wake ahí y sobre las cosas extrañas que ocurren en ese pueblo.

También viene el primer relato de Alan Wake "Errand Boy" que fue publicado en la revista "Dark Visions" y el primer capitulo del 3er libro publicado por Wake que se llama "Return to Sender"

Buen libro para el que es fan del universo de Alan Wake..

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly impressive, a lot more in depth and detailed then I thought it would be for a special edition add on.

[Midnightpixel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received the files from having the collector's edition of the game, it's a cool extra and it's presentation/idea was interesting. However, if you're looking for further insight to relevant characters and story elements in a way you'll see the events of the game differently then you won't get that here. At least, not in a substantial way that feels worth your time. It explains who Clay Steward is from the beginning of the game and how he got to the point, dives a little bit into Nightingale's search during the game and stuff and been have stories Alan Wake wrote (a short story and a chapter from one of his Casey books).

I kind of wish this was just a journal from Nightingale (especially since this book does not over anything from the ending anyway) or at least had head more written down or something, he's one of the most mystery parts of the game; second to the ending and how Alan/Thomas basically wrote each other while not being characters for each other (though AW2 gives more insight on this in a subtle way but opened so many more lol). This is still a cool, competent addition to the games (my favorite part are the screenplay files and makes me hope Remedy makes another edition for AW2 in the future).

I like a lot about it but as far as expanding/explaining narrative or characters in a way , some may feel it's not worth your time. I feel 50/50 about that, some parts I really like but overall wish it offered more definitive answers.

[razzmataz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the greatest work of writing however it ticks one of my ultimate boxes- unnecessarily detailed work set within a fictional universe including as much in game detail as possible. The fact that a little silly book exists that was “written” by an NPC, down to the photo credits and review comments being attributed to other characters, is so fun to me! For 2010 that feels like such a wild idea!! Also some of the information in here is actually super cool and goes into more details about events from the game and context for the townsfolk. Definitely not life changing, but I’m so glad to have this for my collection :) Genuinely took so long to find a copy to own myself…

[Alex West · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun gimmick behind the fictional author that is very in-line with the meta narrative of the game. Fans will likely enjoy it even if it doesn't offer much beyond (surprisingly) more backstory for the underdeveloped character of Agent Nightingale.

This book in part feels like the team's chance to rectify something that they felt was lacking, and I feel more confident in saying this after reading ALAN WAKE: ILLUMINATED where they explain that narratively they regretfully had to cut a massive section wherein players would actually control Nightingale and learn more about his motivations.

[mario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read that explains the weird beginning of the game and gives us a bigger picture of Bright Falls's history and how it's citizens reacted to the events of the game. We are not given any big answers. But this is a must-read for anyone who loves the game. You can read it before playing the DLC's. If you have it on pc, the pdf of this book may already come in the game's main files folder.

[Krzysztof · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of in-universe writing of different sorts. Has almost nothing to do with the game, other than providing a bit of (inconsequential) backstory to some of the characters. I have it as part of a PC special edition of the game. Not terribly noteworthy unless you're a huge fan of the game... and even then not really worth your time I would say.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for more Alan Wake media this will probably scratch that it. This collector's edition exclusive exists as an in-universe book, where Clay Steward writes about his reasons for visiting Bright Falls, the people he interviews, and the evidence he finds.

It's short, and interesting, if you like Alan Wake.

[tim Skaggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this back in 2011 and I loved it so much I couldn't put it down I'm really sad it's in poor condition with a missing dust jacket. but I'm still happy that I have the physical book from my Alan wake pre-order .

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute in-universe extra, wisely written to be concurrent with the game story rather than just a set-up for it. The samples of the fictional Wake’s writing offer a bit of insight in to his personality.

[Corbin Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun new perspective on the known story, adds a little depth, or perhaps breadth, to the ocean that is the Alan Wake saga. No literary classic certainly, and it may not stand alone without the game, but I had a good time reading it.

[Elon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave new interesting depth (and more questions) about the game. Looking forward for a sequel, which hopefully will happen at some time.

[mvl · Rating 3 out of 5]

iut was PRetty rad

[Guy Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's hoping they played off of this in Alan Wake 2

[Martin Fleming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent filler for the game but nothing beyond that.

[Luc Borris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast read with a great backstory of the Alan Wake universe. Adds more detail about the characters that barely made it into the video game.

[Elin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read this book because I played the game and while it offered some insight into Agent Nightingale's character (and added even more Twin Peaks flavour to him) there wasn't much else in this book to draw me in. The "early works" of Alan Wake wasn't something that particularly interested me since his writing in-game didn't impress me much. I was hoping for a bit more background of the game, not some fake journalistic investigation into the disappearance of Alan Wake. I was hoping for some more lore and tidbits of this world of darkness.

[Anthony De serge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan Wake files provides you a wonderful source of information about the game. The plot in the game is just marvelous, and the book expands it. Providing information about Bright Falls, small characters, events and of course Alan Wake.

This is a really good job as a companion book, but you must first play the game 'till the end so you might fully understand it.

P.S. In the end of the book you'll find a short-story "written" by Alan Wake that is simply terrific!

Good Job remedy, now we need more of this, please!

"They don't understand that I have treasures beyond their imagining. That I am untouchable, alive, and that I walk in light" - Clay Steward.

Play it. Read it. Love it!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far one of the best tie-in pieces of fiction for a video game, this expands on the mysteries surrounding the town of Bright Falls and the strange tales and rumors that have haunted the town for, apparently, decades. Written in-character by one if the game's more obscure characters, it details some of Alan Wake's own writings, examines some of the additional events during the game from other points of view, and tells Clay's own story as well. Very nice companion for those who love the story of Alan Wake.

[Bill G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came with the LE of Alan Wake. It is a nice companion book that gives some nice backstory to the game.
It includes some case files and photos. A couple excerpts from books "written" by Alan, which were pretty good.
If you liked the game, you will like the book.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read, acts like an in-between with the episodal segments of Alan Wake, giving even more insight to characters than I could have imagined. Now I'm convinced that Remedy better put a hold on their Quantum Break IP and get back to Alan Wake 2.

[Isaac Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

For what it is- a fun, quick journey into the world of a great video game.

I most enjoyed the stories of Wake, especially the first chapter of 'Return to Sender'. It was both beguiling and pulpy, and brought me into his stories which I had only yet seen from the outside.

[Terrance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for fans of the Alan Wake videogame. It manages to add a substantial amount of info to the backstory and introduces some interesting takes on the universe of Alan Wake and Bright Falls.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good book that fleshes out the world and characters of the game. If you're a fan of the game and don't have it yet, get it.

[Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for all fans of Alan Wake.

[Joey Vissers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addon to the story.

[Rachel Atterholt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, spooky read that adds a lot of backstory into one of my favorite video games.