Review in Progress: Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2 is a paradox. It’s inspired by television shows like Twin Peaks, books like Paul Auster’s Book of Illusions, and games like Resident Evil 2 Remake. Yet it feels like nothing else out there.
With its FMV scenes, mind-bending plot, and references to Control, the game is easily identified as a Remedy one, but it manages to do things even the most avid Remedy fans won’t anticipate.
I happen to be one of those avid Remedy fans and after spending several hours with the game, I feel like Alan Wake 2 may be one of the most interesting and experimental games in recent years, both in terms of its metafictional plot and unorthodox gameplay.
Alan Wake 2 (PC, PS5 [reviewed], Xbox Series X/S)
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Publisher: Epic Games Publishing
Released: October 27, 2023
MSRP: $59.99
Though Remedy has stated that you can jump into Alan Wake 2 without playing its predecessor first, I tend to disagree and struggle to imagine what little sense the plot will make to players who are completely unfamiliar with Alan Wake. The game does attempt to bring you up to speed on Alan’s story (I’ll let you discover that one for yourself) but it’s not the same unless you’ve spent time with Alan and understand his relationship with his wife.
As a quick recap, Alan is a famous horror fiction writer who travels to Bright Falls to overcome his writer’s block and mend his marriage. Here, his wife goes missing, leading Alan to uncover the mysteries of the Dark Presence which dwells in Cauldron Lake. The adventure culminates with Alan entering the Dark Place to rescue his wife, but in the process, he becomes stranded there instead.
The sequel kicks off thirteen years later. Detective Saga Anderson, along with Alex Casey, are
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