Unleashing the Thrills: Alan Wake 2 Takes the Franchise to Dazzling New Heights

"It's an incredible feeling." Those were the exact words used by Sam Lake, Creative Director at Remedy Entertainment, to express his emotions now that Alan Wake 2 is just over a month away from being released. Lake and the team at Remedy Entertainment have been on a 13-year journey to bring this sequel to life, encountering numerous obstacles and setbacks along the way. However, only a few years ago did the possibility of a true sequel become a reality. And now, that long-awaited sequel is (almost) here, and we had the opportunity to play it.

As part of a media preview, Game Rant had the chance to experience two sections from Alan Wake 2 hands-on. Given that the sequel features dual protagonists in the form of Alan Wake and Saga Anderson, it was only fitting that players got to control both characters and witness what each of their gameplay sections had to offer. While there are certain similarities in the way Alan and Saga's sections play out, as well as some narrative connections, each character has a unique and distinct setup.

The demo of Saga Anderson's story commenced with the arrival of the FBI agent in the town of Watery, which bears a similar style to the nearby Bright Falls. Saga is determined to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic Cult of the Tree and seeks elusive clues that hold the key to unraveling the mystery before her. However, as Saga delves deeper into the investigation, she gradually uncovers unforeseen connections between herself, Bright Falls, Watery, and the Cult. Preserving the element of surprise, the demo successfully instills sufficient intrigue to ensure that Saga's role in the game remains as captivating as Alan's.

In Alan Wake 2, Remedy takes a different approach by transforming the game into a survival horror, while still maintaining its third-person shooter mechanics. The flooded forest area and nearby theme park of Watery become the setting for Saga's exploration, with enemies appearing less frequently but creating a heightened sense of tension when they do. The light mechanic remains, where the character must use her flashlight to make enemies vulnerable before attacking them. However, the focus of combat encounters shifts from overwhelming hordes to surviving one or two threatening foes. While not an exact comparison, there are definite similarities between Alan Wake 2 and Resident Evil in how they approach combat encounters.

The third-person mechanics in Alan Wake 2 feel polished and the gameplay is enjoyable. The preview offers a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat, providing a nice variety and moments to catch your breath before the unease returns. Remedy has impressively captured the atmosphere of Watery, creating a vivid sense of place through its meticulous production design. The facial animations, particularly on Saga and Alan, are stunning, and the world is filled with captivating details that bring it to life. The sparse sound design adds to the tension of survival horror, as even the slightest noise demands attention. Overall, Remedy has done an outstanding job of immersing players in the world of Alan Wake 2.

Although not classified as a puzzle game, Alan Wake 2 introduces challenges that demand more critical thinking than your typical game. To progress, players must carefully observe their surroundings and utilize any available clues. Remarkably, the game manages to engage players without patronizing them. As Saga assumes the role of a detective, deduction plays a vital role in enhancing the overall experience.

In Saga's Mind Place, the concept of players being actively involved is evident. Here, she can access her case board to discover new objectives, place clues, establish connections, and even profile subjects by questioning them. This unique gameplay mechanic showcases Saga's deduction skills and empowers players to actively participate rather than just passively observing.

Saga's section in the game aligns well with players' expectations for an Alan Wake sequel. The setting and gameplay are reminiscent of the original game, with subtle hints of a larger mystery woven into every conversation. The gameplay is fast-paced and immersive, and the attention to world-building is top-notch. Even without experiencing the Alan Wake sections, this glimpse assures us that Remedy is headed in the right direction.

But then the Alan Wake sections completely defy fans' expectations and turn the entire series upside down. These sections delve deep into Alan Wake's profession as a writer, allowing him to manipulate and reshape the world around him to progress through the game. This fascinating concept of rewriting the narrative is embodied in two distinct ways: Alan's Writers Room, where he can alter the storyline, and the Light stealing mechanic, which adds another layer of intrigue and complexity.

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Alan's Writers Room functions similarly to Saga's Mind Place, allowing him to gather his thoughts on the current story and strategize his next moves. However, it has an added twist that allows Alan to completely change the appearance of the environment through rewriting. As Alan delves deeper into the seemingly trapped story, he can navigate between different versions of the environment, such as a hotel floor in the preview, to uncover pathways and clues leading to the next plot point. Additionally, there are echoes within the world that Alan must align by finding the correct perspective, which also alters the environment surrounding him.

Similarly, Alan possesses an Angel Lamp that can extract light from a source and transform specific elements of the environment. For instance, a door may lead to one location with an active light source above it, but if Alan uses his Angel Lamp to absorb that light from an overhead lamp, the door will lead elsewhere entirely. Manipulating and relocating the light provides Alan with another means of writing and rewriting the world around him, offering an engaging puzzle-solving aspect to the game. However, it's not as simple as acquiring the light and progressing forward; the preview demonstrated that Remedy intends for players to consistently engage their critical thinking skills.

Alan’s section had a distinct focus on psychological horror, drawing undeniable inspiration from Kubrick. However, it still incorporated elements of combat. While Saga’s adversaries resembled possessed humans, losing chunks of flesh as she unleashed gunfire upon them, Alan’s foes took on a different form – shadow-like entities. Though the light boosting mechanic remained crucial in weakening these enemies, their movements became more unpredictable and their design ethereal. Once again, the gunplay maintained its deliberate and tense nature, complemented by the immensely satisfying trademark dodge mechanic.

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The Saga section captured the essence of Alan Wake, while the Alan section provided a unique and captivating experience. With the game evenly split between the two characters, the developers aimed to create a balanced gameplay that left players struggling to choose who to play as next. As a result, it was difficult to determine which section was more enjoyable. Saga embodied the familiar Alan Wake feel, with its survival horror elements fitting seamlessly into the setting and story. On the other hand, Alan's section introduced an intriguing and strange world that left players craving for more information.

Fortunately, players of Alan Wake 2 have the freedom to approach the game in their own way, and the preview suggests that they will be satisfied regardless of their choices. While Sam Lake, the creator, may feel relieved to reach the finish line, he also acknowledges that the 13-year wait allowed Alan Wake 2 to evolve into its current form. The technological advancements and creative experience gained from previous games like Quantum Break and Control have undoubtedly contributed to making Alan Wake 2 a superior game. Based on the preview, there is a strong possibility that this could be Remedy Entertainment's most exceptional game yet.

Scheduled to be released in 2023, Alan Wake 2 arrives thirteen years after the debut of its predecessor. The original Alan Wake mesmerized players with its spine-chilling narrative, reminiscent of Stephen King's signature psychological horror. According to Sam Lake from Remedy Entertainment, the upcoming game will embrace the survival horror genre, deviating from its predecessor's characterization as "an action game with horror elements."

Platform(s) PC, PS5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series XReleased October 27, 2023Developer(s) Remedy Entertainment