The Terrifying Nemesis That Should Inspire Alan Wake 2's Nightmarish Foes

Highlights

Alan Wake 2, set to release in October 2023, explores both the real world and the Dark Place, an alternate version of New York City, with two protagonists.

The highly anticipated sequel, Alan Wake 2, is set to introduce a chilling array of new foes, taking inspiration from The Evil Within 2's horrifying and formidable adversary, Anima. Additionally, it is expected that Alan Wake 2 will continue to intertwine with Remedy Entertainment's terrifying universe, following the DLC storyline in 2019's Control. This connection may potentially culminate in a more seamless narrative if Alan successfully escapes The Dark Place.

Alan Wake 2, set to release in October 2023, is one of the most highly-anticipated games of the year. Developed by Remedy Entertainment, the game has already given fans a glimpse into its captivating characters and settings. Building upon its predecessor, Alan Wake 2 offers a unique experience as players delve into both the real world and the eerie Dark Place. The narrative is divided between two protagonists, with newcomer Saga Anderson providing a fresh perspective in the real world, while players embark on a mission to rescue Alan from the nightmarish version of New York City within the Dark Place. This dimension promises to introduce unsettling horrors, drawing inspiration from another lesser-known horror title with its haunting and psychologically intense enemy.

Continuing the story of writer Alan Wake, Alan Wake 2 takes place ten years after the events of the original game. Remedy Entertainment has worked to expand its horror universe, linking Alan Wake to their 2019 game, Control. The DLC narrative in Control titled AWE sheds light on the supernatural events surrounding Alan Wake and reveals his involvement in the Bright Falls AWE experiment, masterminded by Dr Emil Hartman. Alan Wake 2 is expected to further explore the connections between the two titles, potentially leading to a cohesive narrative if the character successfully escapes from The Dark Place.

The Evil Within 2's Scariest Enemy Was Purely Psychological

The Evil Within 2 is an underrated horror gem, set in Union, a town created within the shared consciousness experience called STEM. The game follows protagonist Sebastian Castellanos as he battles various terrifying enemies. However, the scariest enemy in The Evil Within 2 is Anima, an invincible and relentless foe that players must avoid at all costs. Anima appears randomly and can attack Sebastian anywhere, except for safe houses, keeping fans constantly on edge. Being caught by Anima means instant death, making her a truly terrifying figure. She also shows up during scripted events in different chapters until she finally disappears in Chapter 11.

Anima's role in The Evil Within 2's narrative is significant, as her presence in Union is linked to the psychological deterioration experienced by individuals connected to STEM. In-game files reveal that those who are starting to degrade will first hear her humming and singing before she becomes visible, draining their souls. In Sebastian's case, Anima is tied to his time spent in Ruben Victoriano's STEM and his personal failures in the first game's Beacon. However, Sebastian is able to overcome his emotions and move past the trauma, causing a disruption in STEM's control over his mind and leading to Anima's disappearance.

Alan Wake 2's Dark Place Should Take Inspiration from The Evil Within 2's Anima

Both The Evil Within 2's Union and Alan Wake 2's Dark Place share a similar structure, trapping their main characters in a horrifying world filled with creatures that feed on their sanity. Taking inspiration from The Evil Within 2, Alan Wake 2 could create a truly terrifying enemy. Anima, a relentless pursuer, provided players with constant anxiety as it could appear at any moment. In the nightmarish setting of The Dark Place's New York City, such an enemy could be particularly effective, as the abandoned subway tunnels and cramped commercial spaces offer very few hiding spots.

The highly-anticipated release of Alan Wake 2 promises to bring a whole new level of terror to dedicated fans, and many of its most terrifying moments will likely come from exploring The Dark Place. While Remedy Entertainment has kept most of the game's enemies under wraps, incorporating an invincible pursuer could present a unique challenge. It could be intriguing if the enemy took the form of the Dark Presence, the main antagonist from the original Alan Wake, as Alan attempts to elude it and make his escape. Fans eager to experience the distinctive horrors of Alan Wake 2 won't have to wait much longer, as the game is scheduled for release late next month.

Alan Wake 2 releases October 27, 2023 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.