The best feature in the original Alan Wake is an absence: the man has no reticle

A PC Gamer column argues that the original Alan Wake deliberately gives the player no reticle, leaving the torch beam as the only rough aiming reference as it shifts in 3D space. Focusing the torch drains batteries, which are relatively scarce in the forest around Bright Falls, so players often fire without aiming down sights. The piece says this undermines confidence in your aim and heightens panic, while Alan Wake 2 does include a traditional reticle.