The Ultimate Evolution: Unleashing the Potential of Alan Wake 2 and Reshaping Survival Horror

Highlights

Backtracking has been a staple of the survival horror genre, but it runs the risk of feeling tired and uninspired in the modern era.

Alan Wake 2 must exercise caution in its usage of backtracking to avoid giving the game a dated or repetitive feel. One way to address this issue is to introduce innovative elements into the concept of backtracking, such as incorporating distorted and visually captivating modifications to previously explored areas. Additionally, exploring the impact of various characters on the same location could also provide a fresh and engaging twist.

The survival horror genre has a rich history spanning generations and includes several familiar elements. These include managing limited resources, solving peculiar lock puzzles, and engaging in backtracking through previously explored areas. While backtracking was once a noteworthy feature, it has become so commonly used that it can now feel overused and uninspiring in modern times.

With the upcoming release of Alan Wake 2, fans can expect a full-fledged survival horror experience. However, there is a concern that the game might rely excessively on backtracking, risking the feeling of being dated or simply adding unnecessary content to conform to genre conventions. It is hoped that developers have learned from past entries in the genre and will take precautions to avoid excessive backtracking in Alan Wake 2, ensuring a fresh and engaging gameplay experience.

How Alan Wake 2 Can Iterate On the Survival Horror Cliche of Backtracking

In Alan Wake 2, players will have the opportunity to control both Alan and newcomer Saga Anderson, switching between their perspectives. Although this dual control raises the risk of extensive backtracking without any meaningful additions to gameplay or the story, the game's setting and lore provide the potential for innovative approaches to this issue.

One possible solution is to employ a reality-altering supernatural force, similar to the ones found in Silent Hill or Layers of Fear. This force can distort and warp earlier areas' layouts, creating a fresh and engaging experience each time they are revisited. Despite the surface similarities, these areas would undergo significant changes, keeping players engaged and preventing monotony.

Additionally, Alan Wake 2 may involve revisiting locations that were previously explored by one character and then experienced by the other as the story progresses. This approach would allow players to witness the effects each character has on these locations, adding depth and variety to the gameplay while minimizing repetition.

In Alan Wake 2, Saga Anderson assumes the role of an FBI profiler, investigating the disappearance of Alan. Her use of a "mind palace" evidence board is a prominent feature and story element, serving as a safe room similar to Resident Evil. This allows players to take a moment to prepare before venturing out to face the unknown horrors. These sections also present an opportunity for Alan Wake 2 to creatively utilize backtracking, as the same location gradually transforms in visually captivating ways.

If executed effectively, the inclusion of backtracking in Alan Wake 2 can be welcomed, as long as it avoids becoming tedious or disrupting the immersion and pacing of the narrative. It is crucial that these segments make sense within the context of the game and enhance the overall experience. It is hoped that Remedy has devised innovative methods to implement backtracking in the sequel, ensuring its relevance and contributing to the evolution of this survival horror tradition.

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