Alan Wake 2: A Promising Sneak Peek or Cause for Worry?

During Summer Game Fest, two games were featured with gameplay reveals: Mortal Kombat 1 and Alan Wake 2. While NetherRealm's fighting game provided detailed information like frame data and the functioning of its Kameo system, Remedy's survival-horror sequel only offered a basic slice of gameplay, which left fans somewhat unimpressed.

Although Alan Wake 2 has evolved beyond being solely an action-adventure franchise, the showcased gameplay failed to showcase any unique elements that differentiate it from its predecessor or other survival-horror games. From what has been publicly shown, Alan Wake 2 appears to be a straightforward third-person game where players shoot enemies directly in front of them. However, it is expected that the gameplay involves more depth and complexity than the original game, but unfortunately, this was not demonstrated during the Summer Game Fest event.

Alan Wake 2 Arguably Didn’t Show Enough at Summer Game Fest

Alan Wake 2 would have greatly benefited from showcasing more of its gameplay, especially considering its upcoming release in just four months. Revealing gameplay details through a developer walkthrough, similar to what Star Wars Outlaws recently did, could have provided a wealth of information about the game.

The Summer Game Fest preview of Alan Wake 2 provided some new information, although the specific footage shown has not been released to the public yet. Nevertheless, the live kick-off of Summer Game Fest allowed for a deeper dive into the game's mechanics, offering fans something to look forward to beyond a short and slow sequence.

It would have been fascinating to witness Saga Anderson's exploration of Bright Falls, Cauldron Lake, and experience the town through the lens of survival-horror, a perspective that even Alan Wake Remastered did not offer. While it is exciting to see the return of the flashlight mechanic, where the battery depletes when focused on enemies, this is a feature that fans of the original game are already familiar with from its action-adventure predecessor.

The addition of a detective element for Saga as an FBI agent was the most notable update to the gameplay. However, it remains uncertain how immersive or intricate this mechanic will be. The process of profiling case files in the Mind Place could potentially unlock vital clues and aid in unraveling larger mysteries, but its impact on gameplay remains unknown.

Based on the limited gameplay segment showcased and the lack of information provided to those who attended the preview, it appears that Alan Wake 2 may only rely on creating a survival horror atmosphere throughout its approximately 20-hour runtime. It is difficult to determine if Remedy has incorporated comprehensive features that fully support the transition to survival horror, and only time will reveal the truth. It would be beneficial to showcase gameplay moments sooner rather than later to provide a clearer understanding.

Alan Wake 2 releases October 17, 2023, for PC, PS5, and Xbox X/S.