Don't Overlook Alan Wake 2's Ingenious Lighting Techniques

Article Key Points

Building upon the distinctive idea of manipulating reality through art, Alan Wake 2 elevates the central gameplay mechanic by intensifying the use of light to combat the ominous Dark Presence.

The lighting in Alan Wake 2 plays a crucial role in crafting a next-generation atmosphere, significantly impacting the game's tone and the player's overall experience. With its impressive lighting effects, Alan Wake 2 creates an eerie and dramatic ambiance that heightens the gameplay.

2010's Alan Wake had numerous strengths. While the initial game had its flaws, particularly in terms of gameplay, it introduced several innovative ideas to the world of gaming. Although the plot may not have been entirely unique in the realm of fiction, Alan Wake's central story about a writer being pursued by a malevolent force and his ability to manipulate reality with his words was indeed a distinctive concept at the time. However, Alan Wake's narrative and core concepts would have benefitted from further exploration, a gap which Alan Wake 2 surpasses significantly.

Aside from the ability to manipulate reality through art, one of the most distinctive aspects of Alan Wake was its emphasis on light, which played a crucial role in both the storyline and gameplay. In the first game, the player's flashlight proved to be as valuable as their firearm, serving as a vital tool in combatting the Dark Presence and its possessed enemies known as the Taken. While this feature was not fully developed in the initial installment, Alan Wake 2 delves deeply into this mechanic and elevates it to new heights.

Alan Wake 2's Use of Lighting is Two-Fold

Alan Wake 2's Light-Based Attack Is Still Satisfying and Unique

In the first Alan Wake game, players faced the Taken, individuals who had been possessed by the Dark Presence and now wielded melee weapons. To defeat the Taken, players needed to shine their flashlight directly at the enemy, causing the surrounding shadow to dissipate. With the Taken exposed, players could then use various weapons to eliminate them.

Alan Wake 2 retains this core gameplay mechanic but enhances it for a more satisfying experience. Drawing inspiration from the recent Resident Evil remakes, Alan Wake 2 adopts a closer over-the-shoulder perspective, intensifying the combat. Instead of simply aiming the flashlight at the enemy to expose them, players in Alan Wake 2 must now press a designated button to unleash a focused burst of light energy. This deliberate action is accompanied by a distinct burning sound effect and impactful vibrations, especially on the PS5's DualSense controller, amplifying the sense of power. Furthermore, this maneuver reveals a bright red weak point on certain enemies, leading to a highly gratifying release of shadow energy when shot by the player.

Alan Wake 2's Lighting is on Another Level

However, the utilization of light in Alan Wake 2 surpasses its mere gameplay gimmick. The game's use of lighting effects greatly contributes to creating a truly next-gen experience and essentially shapes the entire atmosphere of the game from beginning to end. Right from the start of Alan Wake 2, the tone is established, and this is largely due to the impactful lighting. The dim, gray illumination of the night sky filtering through the trees immediately instills an eerie sensation in players, while the stark white light emitted by a flashlight adds a fittingly dramatic touch to the surrounding darkness.

Alan Wake 2's lighting is undoubtedly the key technical feature in the entire game, as it determines the emotions that players are meant to experience throughout gameplay. When Alan Wake 2 aims to create a sense of unease and seclusion, it plunges everything into complete darkness, compelling players to rely on their torch to see just a few feet ahead. Conversely, when the game intends to offer respite, it bathes the surroundings in a soothing orange sunset, allowing for clear visibility. With the inclusion of cutting-edge visuals and technical effects, the lighting in Alan Wake 2 becomes even more remarkable and pivotal.

Alan Wake 2

Scheduled for release in 2023, Alan Wake 2 arrives thirteen years after its predecessor captured audiences with its Stephen King-inspired psychological horror narrative. As stated by Sam Lake from Remedy Entertainment, this installment will delve into the realm of survival horror, distinguishing itself from the first game, which he categorized as an "action game with horror elements." Published by Epic Games, developed by Remedy Entertainment, and available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X platforms, the franchise of Alan Wake has amassed a Metascore rating of 89.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am incredibly excited about the upcoming release of Alan Wake 2. The first game was a unique and innovative experience, and I can't wait to see what the sequel has in store.

The lighting effects in the game look absolutely stunning, and I think they will play a huge role in creating a truly immersive and atmospheric experience. I'm also intrigued by the new gameplay mechanics, which seem to build on the strengths of the first game while adding some new and exciting elements.

Overall, I think Alan Wake 2 has the potential to be one of the best games of the year, and I can't wait to get my hands on it.