Momentum is certainly building for Remedy Entertainment's upcoming action-drama Alan Wake. Within the last week alone we've been privy to an incredible new trailer as well as the announcement of a Collector's Edition for the upcoming Xbox 360 title.

Now thanks to French site Game Blog we've also have 5 minutes of Alan Wake gameplay footage to check out.

Two key components that the final version of Alan Wake will need to nail are lighting effects as well as the mood set by the physical environment.

Judging by the in-game footage, Remedy has done an incredible job. The lighting effects are terrific and Wake's ability to interact with the environment appears to be very deep (i.e. the bush he brushes past gets momentarily disrupted by his body as it passes). These may sound like minor points now but successful implementation of these details will heighten the tension of both combat and story when the game hits shelves.

It's interesting that the game is so often compared to Heavy Rain, which it actually has very little in common with. That said, the title that Alan Wake should remind us of is Max Payne - that is to say the original two titles (which Remedy also developed). Not so much the grizzled, urban warfare episode of the franchise that's forthcoming from Rockstar. Obviously Alan Wake and Max Payne share a number of differences but they both utilize an immersive story, as well as feature a heavy-reliance on mood-setting effects.

Alan Wake is definitely on track to be one of the best offerings available this year on Microsoft's console.

Alan Wake will type its way onto retail shelves on May 18, 2010 exclusively for Xbox 360.

Source: Game Blog