Analyzing the Dual Protagonist Structure of Alan Wake 2 and its Parallels to Resident Evil 2

Article Key Points

Alan Wake 2 improves upon the dual protagonist structure seen in Resident Evil 2, offering a more seamless and immersive experience for players.

The game provides a balanced perspective of both Alan and Saga, granting players the freedom to switch between them at any time. This allows for a captivating and seamless narrative experience. Alan Wake 2 introduces a groundbreaking dual protagonist design that surpasses the underwhelming execution of Leon and Claire's intertwined story in the RE2 remake, ultimately elevating the overall gameplay experience.

In addition to being a survival horror game, Alan Wake 2 features two playable protagonists, offering a new and improved experience compared to the original. Agent Saga Anderson, an FBI agent, brings a fresh perspective and storyline to the game, enhancing both the narrative and gameplay. This addition to the game expands upon the established structure and tone, making it stand out within the genre. Similarly, the Resident Evil series has a history of incorporating dual main playable characters, like the iconic pair of Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield in Resident Evil 2.

As popular as the RE2 remake was, many fans expressed disappointment with the way Leon and Claire's shared plot and gameplay mechanics were handled, especially when compared to the original. Alan Wake 2 showcases how this could be effectively executed in the modern era, yielding impressive results.

How Alan Wake 2's Dual Protagonist Structure Compares to Resident Evil 2

Leon and Claire's Narrative and Mechanics in Resident Evil 2

The original RE2 offered players four different scenarios, each of which could be tackled in any order: Leon A, Leon B, Claire A, and Claire B. These scenarios were intricately connected to one another in terms of storyline and gameplay mechanics. Choices made in one scenario directly influenced the outcomes of the others. For example, actions taken in Claire A would have consequences in Leon B, and vice versa. This innovative approach created a unique and immersive experience, where the characters interacted with each other based on the player's decisions. Even to this day, this well-integrated design continues to stand out, providing captivating gameplay loops that seamlessly merge together.

However, this was not the case in the RE2 remake. While it played a significant role in revitalizing the series and sparking discussions about the evolution of a long-standing franchise to cater to both old and new players, it regressed in the aforementioned aspect. The RE2 remake only featured two campaigns, with minimal disparities compared to its predecessor. Unfortunately, the alternating scenarios received largely minimal attention and refinement, failing to match the level of focus and depth achieved decades ago. Consequently, this lack of care and dedication left numerous fans disappointed with the game's treatment of such crucial elements.

Alan and Saga's Story and Gameplay in Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake 2 builds upon the original RE2's structure and significantly improves upon it. The game flawlessly balances both Alan and Saga's storylines and gameplay, allowing players to experience both perspectives in one playthrough. They have the freedom to switch between characters at any point, which perfectly complements AW2's mind-bending narrative. This unique feature not only strengthens the relationship between the characters but also offers players a range of choices in how they approach the game mechanically. It is an exceptional element that ensures both characters receive equal attention and seamlessly intertwines them to create a deeply satisfying and immersive experience.

It is worth mentioning that the 13-year development of Alan Wake 2 has allowed for the meticulous fine-tuning of every aspect of the game, especially in terms of dividing the story and playtime between the two main characters. Remedy Entertainment has been transparent about the significant influence of the RE2 remake on Alan Wake 2.

Alan Wake 2 managed to address the sole aspect lacking in the RE2 remake and improved it in a way that heightened the overall experience. It not only surpassed its contemporaries but also established a new benchmark for this type of design.

Alan Wake 2 made its long-awaited debut in October 2023, a remarkable fifteen years after the original game was released. Developed by Remedy Entertainment, this survival-horror title features a captivating dual-protagonist narrative. Players embark on an enthralling journey as they follow the titular writer and delve into the mysterious world of an agent named Saga Anderson. Alan Wake 2 is available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. Published by Epic Games, this gripping game has received a Metascore rating of 92. Unfortunately, it is not currently available through PS Plus, but can be found on the official website or the Playstation Store.

Editor's P/S

Alan Wake 2 has improved upon the dual protagonist structure seen in Resident Evil 2, offering a more seamless and immersive experience for players. The game provides a balanced perspective of both Alan and Saga, granting players the freedom to switch between them at any time. This allows for a captivating and seamless narrative experience. In Resident Evil 2, Leon and Claire's stories were intertwined, but players could only control one character at a time. This could lead to some frustration, as players would often have to backtrack to complete puzzles or find items that were necessary for the other character. In Alan Wake 2, players can switch between Alan and Saga at any time, which makes for a much more fluid and enjoyable experience.

In addition to the improved dual protagonist structure, Alan Wake 2 also features a number of other improvements over Resident Evil 2. The graphics are more realistic, the gameplay is more polished, and the story is more engaging. Overall, Alan Wake 2 is a superior game to Resident Evil 2 in every way. I am very excited to play Alan Wake 2 when it releases in 2023. I think it will be one of the best games of the year.