The Explosive Trailer for Alan Wake 2 Will Leave You Breathless

The eerie and surreal atmosphere of Alan Wake 2 is on point, but that's never been an issue for Remedy's action-adventure game. Alan Wake drew from psychological horror, distinguishing itself from other games like Silent Hill, and fans may even misremember it as a survival-horror title. With its superior ability to deliver frights and nuanced combat mechanics, coupled with its whimsically dark and meta storyline, Alan Wake was a hit, exemplifying Remedy's signature style at its finest. However, for the sequel to win over fans, it needs to set itself apart in a survival-horror genre that's seen a surge in popularity. While it's likely to draw inspiration from established franchises like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, Alan Wake 2 needs to showcase what sets itself apart in its gameplay trailer at Summer Game Fest.

Alan Wake 2 Needs to Be More Than the Survival Horror It Draws Inspiration from

The gameplay revealed in the trailer for Alan Wake 2 at the PlayStation Showcase last month may not be particularly unique or distinct. The playable protagonist, Saga Anderson, is depicted in a third-person over-the-shoulder perspective, which has become a common feature in modern AAA survival horror games. While the camera will occasionally withdraw further from the protagonist, this does not differ significantly from the original game. However, the original Alan Wake game did offer a unique twist on third-person action-adventure games with its emphasis on light-based mechanics, which made traditional gunplay feel secondary or inadequate in comparison.

Using light to weaken enemies was a key strategy in combat, but players could use flash bangs and a loaded flare gun to wipe out groups of shadowy foes with ease. Remedy had to make significant changes to the game's mechanics to successfully transition it into a survival-horror title and compete with other games in the genre. Exploration could also be enhanced by the light mechanics, with players searching for manuscript pages, coffee thermoses, and hidden caches in the linear environments. While the woods were always a source of fear, players often found themselves rushing from generator to generator rather than savoring the terror of the dark setting.

While the constant enemy ambushes in Alan Wake created a thrilling sense of suspense, it did detract from the potential atmospheric horror that could have been achieved with more breathing room between encounters. Understandably, as an action-driven game, this was the intended approach. However, in the potential split story paths of Alan Wake 2, it would be exciting to see survival-horror elements incorporated beyond just cinematic combat. With a storyline centered around ritualistic murders and the influence of Wake's writing on the investigation, a deeper dive into survival-horror could enhance the player's experience and create even more legitimate scares.

Focusing on light sources and the writer manifestations of Alan Wake, the sequel has the potential to set itself apart from other survival-horror games. However, if the unique light source mechanics are not preserved, it may struggle to stand out among its predecessors. Alan Wake 2 is set to release on October 17, 2023, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.