Alan Wake 2 for Windows

A horror game with intertwined plotlines

Alan Wake 2 is a paid horror survival game and sequel to Alan Wake, a title that was first released in 2010. It features the intertwined stories of the titular character and writer Alan Wake as well as FBI agent Saga Anderson. Although the game is a sequel, players—particularly newbies—don’t have to play the prequel or even Control to get the full experience. 

It’s a stand-alone title, after all. Like some of the Resident Evil games, Alan Wake 2 plays in third-person mode—with your character using a weapon like a pistol to defeat enemies that run amok in the area.

Follow the stories of two playable characters

In Alan Wake 2, you can choose to go through either Alan's or Saga’s story. Regardless of your choice, both stories will feature foreshadowing—requiring you to pay extra attention to the plot. In the former, you’ll see Alan trapped in the Dark Place, a dimension where any work of art can become a reality. He then writes a story as an attempt to escape the Dark Place. 

The latter, meanwhile, centers on Saga investigating murders and the mysterious death of FBI Special Agent Robert Nightingale—who was in pursuit of Alan—in Pacific Northwest’s Bright Falls Along with her colleague, the pair discovers that the pages belonged to Alan. Much to their horror, the story is about no other than them. Apart from the base game, it will also include two premium expansions: Night Springs and Lake House.

While the sequel features puzzles and other interactive elements, it is not going to be as combat-intensive as the first Alan Wake game. Rather, the combat is more varied to avoid monotony and ensure a more suspenseful buildup of encounters. Plus, the integration of live-action scenes further augments the ominous atmosphere of the game, making the experience more immersive and spine-tingling.

A glimpse into the combat

As a survival horror title, slower character movement speed and scarcity of resources are to be expected, requiring players to plan and choose their battles and manage their inventory. When it comes to encounters with The Taken, you can, thankfully, dodge their blows and keep yourself safe.

Different characters, different experiences

As mentioned, Alan Wake 2 features two protagonists, Alan and Saga, and these characters offer similar and different gameplay experiences for the player. Regarding the similarities, both characters use a flashlight to dispel the darkness from The Taken, enabling them to defeat these entities using their weapons. 

Moving on to the differences, Saga’s gameplay is grounded on exploration and detective work with a sprinkle of combat. This means the player is expected to find and investigate clues as well as interact with NPCs. You also have access to the case board in the Mind Place. Plastered on the case board are pages and photos connected with a string, and you can help Saga piece the puzzle to her investigation by reviewing and rearranging them. The Mind Place is also where you can read character profiles and manuscripts. 

Alan’s gameplay—on the other hand—centers more on the surreal and the unsettling. Using the Angel Lamp, he can explore the city, solve puzzles, and open up new paths that can leave the player bewildered. The counterpart of Saga’s Mind Place is Alan’s The Writer’s Room. In The Writer’s Room, Alan can use the plotboard to rewrite reality and escape from the Dark Place. 

Players are free to switch between characters or stick to either Alan or Saga’s storyline to completion. However, it’s possible to miss some information if you switch characters

Delve into the Remedy Connected Universe

Of course, players can complete Alan Wake 2 and call it a day. However—if you want to learn more about the Remedy Connected Universe—it’s recommended that you play Control and The Foundation and AWE expansions as well as Alan Wake: Remastered and its DLCs, namely The Signal and The Writer. 

Another title you should pick up—that is, if you own a PC or Xbox 360 console—is the standalone expansion Alan Wake’s American Nightmare. 

A sequel you should check out

Despite being a sequel, Alan Wake 2 appeals to both new and old players alike—featuring Alan Wake himself and a new playable character named Saga Anderson. The stories of these characters are interconnected, making the game even more fascinating. In addition, it is played in the third-person perspective and comes with two expansions. If you love games with great storylines, then this title is worth picking up.