Uncover the Enigmatic World of Alan Wake: A Recap Journey in anticipation of Alan Wake 2's Release

Highlights

Alan Wake 2 is highly anticipated by fans after a 13-year wait and is expected to deliver a spooky and compelling experience.

In the sequel, there are two main characters - the crime fiction writer and an FBI agent who is trying to find him after he goes missing.

The initial game introduces the story by showing Alan struggling with writer's block, his journey to Bright Falls, and his encounter with a malevolent force in Cauldron Lake. This sets the stage for an exciting and enigmatic storyline.

After an agonizing 13-year wait, fans can finally rejoice as a sequel to the acclaimed psychological action game Alan Wake is just a few weeks away. While Remedy Entertainment's success was initially driven by their Max Payne series, Alan Wake quickly gained a cult following and became one of their most influential titles, despite some flaws. Now, with the pre-release hype building, Alan Wake 2 is expected to offer an even more captivating and eerie experience than its predecessor.

Taking place 13 years after the events of the first game, Alan Wake 2 introduces two central characters: the renowned crime fiction writer himself, and an FBI agent named Saga Anderson, who is on a quest to unravel the truth behind Alan's mysterious disappearance. Although Remedy assures that newcomers can enjoy the sequel without playing the original, it's always advisable to refresh one's memory of the twisted storyline of the Alan Wake series before diving headfirst into this trippy sequel.

The Mystery of Bright Falls

The protagonist of the first Alan Wake game begins by providing players with a brief overview of his recent life. Once a highly acclaimed author of crime fiction, Alan has been grappling with a severe case of writer's block for the past two years. In an effort to find inspiration, Alan and his wife Alice plan a getaway to the tranquil mountainside town of Bright Falls. During their journey, Alan experiences a vivid nightmare where he is pursued by shadowy figures. In this dream, a mysterious character teaches him how to harness the power of light to overcome his pursuers.

Upon reaching Bright Falls, Alan goes to a nearby diner to collect the keys to their cabin. To his surprise, he encounters a enigmatic elderly woman dressed in all black with a veil. This woman claims to be a representative of the landlord, Carl Stucky, and hands Alan the keys to the cabin.

As Alan and Alice drive off, Carl rushes out of the diner, yelling about forgotten keys. Upon arriving at the cabin in the heart of Cauldron Lake, Alice confesses to Alan that her true intention was to introduce him to the renowned psychologist Dr. Emil Hartman, who specializes in assisting artists and writers. Betrayed, Alan storms out of the cabin, only to turn back when he hears Alice's scream. Witnessing a shadow dragging her into the lake, Alan bravely leaps in after her.

After an unspecified period, Alan wakes up in the driver's seat of his car, seemingly having just crashed in the woods. With no recollection of how he ended up there, Alan navigates through the woods, constantly being attacked by shadowy figures. Soon, Alan discovers a page from a manuscript titled "Departure," the very book he had just begun writing. Strangely, the manuscript now appears to be completed, detailing the unfolding events happening to him. Eventually, Alan encounters the local sheriff, Sarah Breaker, begging for her assistance. To Alan's surprise, the sheriff reveals that there is no cabin to be found on Cauldron Lake.

After spending a night in the police station, Alan is contacted by an unidentified individual who claims to be Alice's abductor and demands the remaining pages of the Departure manuscript. Accompanied by his agent Barry Wheeler, Alan embarks on a mission to locate the missing pages. During their pursuit, they encounter FBI agent Robert Nightingale. While Barry occupies the attention of the agent, Alan meets with the supposed kidnapper, only to discover that the abductor is being subjected to torture by a mysterious elderly woman dressed in black. It is at this moment that the kidnapper confesses to Alan that he never actually had Alice. As events unfold, both Alan and the imposter are inevitably drawn into Cauldron Lake by a menacing swirling shadow tornado.

Discovering the Secret of Cauldron Lake

Awakening in Dr. Hartman's psychiatric hospital, Alan finds himself entangled in a desperate attempt to persuade the doctor that his current state of mind is simply a result of his wife's vanishing. However, chaos ensues as the darkness engulfs and demolishes the facility, forcing Alan and Barry to narrowly evade the impending doom. Through diligent inquiries, our protagonists collect information revealing the existence of a menacing entity known as the Dark Presence residing in Cauldron Lake. This malevolent force had previously attempted to break free from its watery confines, employing the abilities of an acclaimed poet named Thomas Zane. In a cunning endeavor, the Dark Presence deceitfully assumed the guise of Thomas' deceased wife, Barbara Jagger, manipulating him in the pursuit of a release from its captive existence.

Alan and Barry become intoxicated together, leading to Alan's recollection of writing Departure during a period of temporary memory loss after plunging into the lake. It dawns on him that the Dark Presence is attempting to exploit his writings to escape the lake, much like its previous attempt with Thomas Zane in the 1970s. FBI agent Nightingale encounters Alan and Barry and apprehends them, only to be attacked by shadows. Sheriff Breaker, witnessing evidence of the Dark Presence, accompanies the pair to Cynthia Weaver, an individual acquainted with Zane. Weaver guides Alan to a location referred to as the "Well-Lit Room," revealing an ancient light switch named "The Clicker." Alan bestows the Clicker with supernatural abilities through his writings.

Armed with the Clicker, Alan submerges himself back into Cauldron Lake and finds himself in an enigmatic and intermediate dimension called The Dark Place. He encounters the Dark Presence, who assumes the guise of Jagger, and employs the Clicker to vanquish her with light. However, even after dispatching the antagonist, Alan remains with the task of concluding the narrative. In a self-sacrificial act, he liberates Alice but becomes trapped in the Dark Place, where he seemingly remains imprisoned for the past 13 years.

Alan Wake Remastered is available now on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.