They say timing’s everything, so we’re a little puzzled to see Alan Wake, the novelisation written by Rick Burroughs reaching Aussie shores over a year after the video game of the same name launched.   We can’t help feel that Alan has missed the last ferry to Brightfalls.  Perhaps the books appearance this late in the game is all part of the time-bending, fog enveloping mystery of the Alan Wake narrative, or perhaps someone at the publishing company simply messed up.

It’s easy to mock poor publishing release schedules but if we are honest we’d say that it’s actually heartening to see anything that keeps a video game front and center long after it was released, especially in an age where even triple A titles have the shelf life of custard during a black out.  Lets be honest; it’s not hard to be excited about an Alan Wake book – a game about a writer, touted for its strong narrative.  The novel will either satiate readers desperate for answers and hungry for more Alan Wake goodness or; like to far too many video game novelizations, prove to be a redundant  disappointment.

According to Borders, the book will be available to buy on the 4th of October 2011.   Look out for our review coming up on the Incomplete Gamer.  The book’s US and European release was a little more timely – and has been available for some time.  Check the usual suspects, Amazon (US & UK), or the Book Depository.  If you want to shop closer to home, Borders have the US veresion in stock  is available now online n

Alan Wake by Rick Burroughs

ISBN: 9780765366474