Alan Wake 2 Outshines Marvel's Spider-Man 2 with its Dual Narrative

Article Key Points

Alan Wake 2 demonstrates an exceptional ability to masterfully integrate two central characters within a video game, ensuring both protagonists receive equal screen time and possess unique character arcs.

In Marvel's Spider-Man 2, the inclusion of both Miles Morales and Peter Parker falls short as Miles is overshadowed in the main plot, covering ground that has already been explored in Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Conversely, Alan Wake 2 effectively manages its dual narrative structure, seamlessly linking the two storylines in a satisfying manner.

Creating a cohesive and compelling dual narrative in a video game is extremely challenging. Designing a game that focuses on a single main character already requires developers to finely develop the character and maintain an engaging and enjoyable story. When a second protagonist is introduced, the workload doubles and adds another layer of complexity, as both characters now require equal screen time. Although these types of games are not common, October 2023 brought two titles to the table that take on this challenge: Alan Wake 2 and Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

In Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Insomniac Games brings together Miles Morales and Peter Parker, allowing players to control both iconic heroes. This was an enormous undertaking for Insomniac Games, as they needed to effectively portray both Spider-Men. While they did a commendable job, it falls just short of the dual protagonist narrative found in Alan Wake 2.

Alan Wake 2 Handles Dual Protagonists Better Than Spider-Man 2

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Pushes One Hero to the Sidelines A Little

In Marvel's Spider-Man 2, the overall gameplay structure involves players alternating between the two Spider-Men at specific intervals throughout the main story. Some missions focus on Peter, some on Miles, and others seamlessly transition between the two characters. While freely exploring the game's open world, players have the flexibility to switch between the Spider-Men as they please. However, certain side missions are exclusive to a particular hero.

Using this framework, Miles Morales ends up being sidelined to some extent in Marvel's Spider-Man 2's main storyline. Instead of sharing the primary plot with Peter Parker, Miles is given the game's secondary plot, which is not adequately developed. While Peter, Harry, and MJ navigate the Symbiote storyline, one of Spider-Man's most renowned comic arcs, Miles embarks on a journey to confront the fact that his father's killer is still at large and fully embraces his role as Spider-Man. Unfortunately, this mirrors much of the territory already covered in Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Adding to the issue is the fact that these Miles-focused story segments are often separated by significant amounts of content involving Peter Parker. As previously mentioned, balancing two protagonists, especially when they are both Spider-Men, is a challenging task, and unfortunately, Spider-Man 2 doesn't quite meet the mark.

Alan Wake 2 Interweaves its Dual Narratives Expertly

Alan Wake 2 seamlessly integrates its two main characters into the fabric of the game, enhancing the overall experience. This complex game follows FBI Agent Saga Anderson as she investigates a murderous cult in the fictional town of Bright Falls. However, the plot takes a supernatural turn when the original protagonist, Alan Wake, unexpectedly appears. Players are then presented with the choice to continue Saga's journey in the real world or delve into Alan's memories in the Dark Place, with the ability to switch between them at any time.

At first, Alan Wake and Saga Anderson's stories are presented as separate, with Alan's taking place in the past. Yet, as the game progresses, their narratives become intertwined, revealing a direct connection and impact on each other. This interconnectedness ensures that players are consistently rewarded regardless of the order in which they tackle missions, as each journey contains crucial puzzle pieces that relate to the other. Additionally, both Saga Anderson and Alan Wake are given equal screen time and their own individual character arcs, solidifying their roles as main protagonists in the game.

Alan Wake 2 is the highly anticipated sequel in the Alan Wake franchise. It is available on various platforms including PC, PS5, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. Developed by Remedy Entertainment and published by Epic Games, this survival horror game was released on October 27, 2023. With a Metascore of 89, it promises an intense gaming experience. Please note that the game is not currently available on PS Plus. For more information, visit the official website or check out the game on the Playstation Store.

Editor's P/S

Alan Wake 2 has been one of the most anticipated sequels in gaming for years, and it finally lived up to the hype when it was released in October 2023. One of the things that made Alan Wake 2 so special was its dual narrative, which flawlessly interweaved the stories of two central characters, Alan Wake and Saga Anderson.

In Marvel's Spider-Man 2, on the other hand, the inclusion of both Miles Morales and Peter Parker fell short. Miles was overshadowed in the main plot, covering ground that had already been explored in Spider-Man: Miles Morales. This was a missed opportunity, as Miles is a popular character with a lot of potential.