The Surprising Link Between Alan Wake 2 and MCU's Dissociative Theme - Unveiled!
Remedy's ambitious connected universe between Alan Wake and Control raises concerns for Alan Wake 2 Players may require prior knowledge of Control and its DLC to fully grasp the story, potentially limiting the experience for newcomers
Highlights
Alan Wake 2 will feature abundant live-action segments, showcasing Remedy's love for cinema.
The link between Alan Wake and Control establishes a cohesive universe, yet it runs the possibility of isolating fans who solely focus on these individual games.
In order to grasp the complete narrative, participants of Alan Wake 2 might be required to engage with Control and its downloadable content, given the deep interconnection between the narratives of Control and Alan Wake.
Alan Wake’s original storyline, which revolved around a writer facing his own horrifying creations, initially seemed straightforward. However, Remedy took a bold approach by infusing Alan Wake’s narrative with an unapologetic admiration for cinema, shaping it as a thrilling television series. Now, as Alan Wake 2 approaches, the parallels between the game and contemporary TV series developments are expected to become even more pronounced. It came as no surprise that Alan Wake 2 would incorporate numerous live-action segments, but the extent to which Remedy’s Control influences the game could have both positive and negative implications.
Control’s mind-bending escapade took on a new level of surrealism when it introduced Alan Wake into its existing narrative, effectively merging the two franchises into a connected universe. This is not the first time that a shared lore or canon has been explored across different intellectual properties, but fans of both Alan Wake and Control are likely to appreciate how these worlds intertwine and influence each other going forward. However, in a similar fashion to Disney and Marvel branching into Disney Plus shows to expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Remedy runs the risk of alienating their own fan base by demanding their engagement with content outside of the main games.
MCU Fans Get a Lesser Experience Unless They Consume Both TV and Movie Content
The MCU's domination of movie theaters with epic and grand releases has shifted since Endgame. Now, the focus is on launching new characters' origins through shows on Disney Plus. This move strategically capitalizes on the popularity of streaming services.
Although shows like Loki and WandaVision aren't origin stories, they provide an opportunity for the MCU to delve into character-driven narratives over an extended period of time, rather than restricting them to the limitations of a movie's runtime. While not every Disney Plus show requires this amount of time, the issue doesn't lie in their duration.
Many fans may not be watching these shows regardless of whether they are uninterested in the featured protagonists or if they don't feel obligated to subscribe to Disney Plus to keep up with the MCU's current canon. Therefore, individuals who are indifferent towards the MCU's Disney Plus offerings but still make the effort to go to a theater and watch the latest MCU movie are likely to be uninformed about the new batch of characters, or at the very least, unclear about the ongoing storyline in the broader continuity.
Alan Wake 2 Players Might Only Understand the Story if They Played Control and Its DLC
Playing the original Alan Wake before diving into Alan Wake 2 will undoubtedly enhance the gaming experience. However, the connection between Alan Wake and Control in the upcoming sequel takes things a step further. Remedy has seamlessly intertwined Control's content into the narrative of Alan Wake 2, particularly when it comes to Alan himself. As a result, it seems that reading up on Control may now be essential for players to fully comprehend the intricacies of the story and the connections between certain characters and events.
Fans not only need to have a good understanding of Control, but they also must have played or experienced the AWE expansion that bridged the gap between the two games. It will be interesting to see if Remedy will address this crossover in the opening moments of Alan Wake 2 or provide a separate "Previously On" option in the main menu.
Without proper explanation, many fans may be confused about the significance of Control's presence in the sequel to Alan Wake. In addition, Alan Wake 2 may also lay the groundwork for Control 2, offering fans a glimpse into the narrative of the upcoming sequel. It seems Remedy may be creating a scenario where each new installment and its DLC become essential prerequisites for the subsequent ones.
Alan Wake 2 releases October 27, 2023, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
