It all started with the Herald of Darkness performance at The Game Awards. I loved Remedy's other game, Control, but I never had much interest in the Alan Wake series. That all changed on that fateful day when I heard that song and realized what I was sleeping on. I played both Alan Wake 1 and Control's AWE DLC in preparation to play this game, and when I finally got to it, I was not disappointed one bit. Alan Wake 2 has quickly become my favorite game of all time. From its impressive presentation to its excellent narrative, it is an awesomely crafted experience.
Gameplay:
In this game, you play as two characters, Alan Wake and Saga Anderson. They each have slightly different playstyles with their own interesting mechanics. Their segments can be played at whichever pace the player wishes, though the game nudges the player to switch between them at certain intervals by places spots to do so at strategic points. I quite liked this fact as I felt like I was getting both a nice balance of gameplay styles and a steady flow of information from the story.
As for the playstyles themselves, you start the game off as Saga Anderson, an FBI agent investigating a ritualistic murder outside the town of Bright Falls. Her playstyle is most similar to the gameplay in the first Alan Wake, though with some much needed improvements and extra mechanics thrown in. The combat is the same "shine light at enemy then shoot" system as the last game, but the time it takes to make an enemy vulnerable has been drastically reduced, and the flashlight no longer automatically recharges. There's actually a real element of resource management in this game for both characters, as batteries and bullets are in serious short supply. It can create some intense moments of paranoia, and sometimes frustration, as the game can get really stingy with the resources it gives out at certain sections. Luckily, enemies are somewhat rare to compensate. It makes the moments they do appear even more intense, and it's a HUUUUGE improvement over the first game where it would barely let you breath before another enemy encounter. Granted, that game was more action-adventure while this is more survival-horror, but still, it's a considerable step up. For Saga, some enemies also have weak points in unpredictable locations that reward a player's accuracy. Her combat does contain one of my bigger complaints for the game though, as the bosses she faces are really meh. The first boss is whatever, the second boss is somewhat decent, but the third ate so many bullets and had attacks that felt nearly impossible to dodge. It's not bad enough to bring the game down by any notable degree, but it's worth mentioning.
The other half of Saga's gameplay sees her doing detective work in her "Mind Place", which is an interesting element in itself. At the press of a button, Saga is sent to a room that acts as the game's inventory system. I thought this was super impressive, as it's a room full of detail that appears in an instant without any loading or stutter. The room contains the game's maps, collectibles, and Saga's mental case board. Every piece of information Saga learns is sent to the case board. Technically, the case board is optional to use, but it is extreme helpful in solving a good number of puzzles. Outside of compiling information for puzzles, the case board is also useful for the player's understanding of the story. As the player matches clues to relevant pieces of the case, they are able to process information in an engaging and immersive way. I always felt compelled to interact with it.
Meanwhile, Alan Wake is stuck in a weird dimension called the Dark Place, trying to write his way out by collecting plot points for his story... or uh... something like that. It's a little weird. His playstyle shakes the combat up a bit by adding some extra strategy to the ol' flashlight and shooting. In the Dark Place, shadow figures stand everywhere. Some are safe, but some will attack. It can be hard to tell at times, creating a constant sense of anxiety (For most of the game I actually thought you were supposed to get rid of all of the shadows and didn't know there were specific dangerous ones. I uh... wasted a lot of batteries...). The enemies seriously freaked me out at times, especially later on when they become more numerous. However, I didn't really like how frequently hostile ones could respawn. I ended up wasting a lot of resources in places where I became confused due to the sometimes obtuse level design, creating unneeded frustration. It's still luckily not enough to substantially drag the game down.
Alan Wake has something similar to Saga's Mind Place where he can go his Writer's Room. It offers many of the same features, but instead of the case board, there is the plot board. When I first used it, my socks flew off. As Alan finds plot points, he can use them to transform various locations (called scenes) in a level. Each scene has a transformation for each plot point whether it is actually useful or not. It is an awesome system that added so much when it came to puzzle-solving and exploration. Sure, this isn't the first time something like this has been done in a game (the Gloria's Theater level from Psychonauts comes to mind), but the extent to which it is done in this game is so impressive. There's also a portible light Alan can carry and place down which can alter locations in a similar way, and it's also a great tool for exploration. All of this combined with the awesome surreal environments Alan explores unfortunately leaves Saga as the weaker half of the game, but if the weaker half of a game is still phenomenal, then it speaks volumes to its overall quality.
Story and Characters:
It was a bold move to start the game off with a pale naked guy getting stabbed in the woods but I respect it. The story of Alan Wake 2 picks up 13 years after the first game. I already mentioned its basic premise(s), but there's so much more beneath the surface, and the story is so complex and interesting. There's amazing twists that still have me thinking long after I beat the game. There's so much mystery, so much drama, so many intriguing concepts, so many fascinating characters. There's funny moments, heartbreaking moments, scary moments... It's just awesome! The story is amazing! I loved it so much! I also loved its connections to Control, as a massive fan of that game. I would recommend playing Alan Wake 1 and Control (and probably also Alan Wake's Amercian Nightmare... I didn't play that one, but from what I've heard, it sounds kind of important) if you can before Alan Wake 2, but it doesn't seem entirely necessary. I mean, I forgot half of the characters from the first game before playing the second two weeks later so take that for what you will LOL. Though, back on the topic of the pale naked guy, you uhh... might wanna enable the nudity filter in the settings before starting the game if you don't wanna see that... Just saying... That "naked" part was not hyperbole.
As for the characters, they were GREAT. The majority of the important characters left some kind of an impression on me, and it was fascinating to learn more about them as the game went on through either dialogue or context clues. Saga and her partner, Alex Casey, did have me a bit sceptical at first, as I didn't think they'd end up being super interesting. BOY was I wrong. Saga is a really cool character. She feels incredibly real, even despite her seemingly supernatural investigation skills. A section near the end of the game involving her had me in tears. I was that invested in her character. Alan Wake himself was, of course, excellent as well. His arc from the first game was expanded upon in some really interesting ways, and his half of the story was full of endless intrigue. As for the other characters, Alex Casey's involvement was definitely more than I could have ever expected. Mr. Door was a fascinating character that added a lot to the mystery. Tor and Odin, the band members of Old Gods of Asgard, were reused in great ways. Agent Esteves was kind of... odd, but given the organization she works for, I suppose it's to be expected. Overall, it's a fantasticly written cast with equally great actors portraying them.
Sound and Visuals:
I was blessed with the ability to play this game on my dad's fancy sound system and ohhh my gosh. It was a great experience. This game's sound design is so good. It's so atmospheric and complements the game's many creepy moments perfectly. There were so many moments that had me spooked out of my mind, and the sound design played a big part in that. As for the music, it was expectedly mindblowing. Not only were the Old Gods of Asgard songs great, but there was also a collection of songs composed just for the chapter endings. I almost missed how great they were as I skipped many right away, wanting to eagerly continue things. It's so easy to ignore them, which is unfortunate because they're pretty good! I'd highly recommend giving them a listen, whether it be inside or outside the game.
I could write a novel on this game's visual presentation. Thinking about it makes me internally scream in a good way. It takes everything awesome about Control and kicks it up to a whole other level. The detailed and creative environments are back and more detailed and creative than ever. This game pushes modern graphics to the limits with the most immersive and realistic environments I have ever experienced outside of... uh... real life, I guess. The variety of settings is also a colossal improvement over the first game, and the use of lighting throughout is to die for. Not only are the environments detailed, but so are the character designs. They're a great example of how you can still create awesome and distinctive designs in hyper-realism. Another welcome return is the use of live action segments, and boy, are they more prevalent than ever. They are used to great effect, and it can feel like watching a real TV show at times. I cannot stress enough how much effort was put into these. To give a vague spoiler as an example, they literally made a twenty minute short film just to put in the game. A twenty minute short film which you can totally ignore the existence of, might I add. It's kind of insane.
Conclusion:
I hope this super long review has made it obvious as to why this is my favorite game of all time. It is an experience like no other out there. The things that irk me about it are nothing compared to the endless evidence of effort and talent that went into making this masterpiece. I love the gameplay. I love the story. I love the characters. I love the music. I love the visuals. I love this game. It is horror and there's some gorey and creepy and dark moments, but if you can stomach it, then I'd highly recommend checking it out.
Gameplay:
In this game, you play as two characters, Alan Wake and Saga Anderson. They each have slightly different playstyles with their own interesting mechanics. Their segments can be played at whichever pace the player wishes, though the game nudges the player to switch between them at certain intervals by places spots to do so at strategic points. I quite liked this fact as I felt like I was getting both a nice balance of gameplay styles and a steady flow of information from the story.
As for the playstyles themselves, you start the game off as Saga Anderson, an FBI agent investigating a ritualistic murder outside the town of Bright Falls. Her playstyle is most similar to the gameplay in the first Alan Wake, though with some much needed improvements and extra mechanics thrown in. The combat is the same "shine light at enemy then shoot" system as the last game, but the time it takes to make an enemy vulnerable has been drastically reduced, and the flashlight no longer automatically recharges. There's actually a real element of resource management in this game for both characters, as batteries and bullets are in serious short supply. It can create some intense moments of paranoia, and sometimes frustration, as the game can get really stingy with the resources it gives out at certain sections. Luckily, enemies are somewhat rare to compensate. It makes the moments they do appear even more intense, and it's a HUUUUGE improvement over the first game where it would barely let you breath before another enemy encounter. Granted, that game was more action-adventure while this is more survival-horror, but still, it's a considerable step up. For Saga, some enemies also have weak points in unpredictable locations that reward a player's accuracy. Her combat does contain one of my bigger complaints for the game though, as the bosses she faces are really meh. The first boss is whatever, the second boss is somewhat decent, but the third ate so many bullets and had attacks that felt nearly impossible to dodge. It's not bad enough to bring the game down by any notable degree, but it's worth mentioning.
The other half of Saga's gameplay sees her doing detective work in her "Mind Place", which is an interesting element in itself. At the press of a button, Saga is sent to a room that acts as the game's inventory system. I thought this was super impressive, as it's a room full of detail that appears in an instant without any loading or stutter. The room contains the game's maps, collectibles, and Saga's mental case board. Every piece of information Saga learns is sent to the case board. Technically, the case board is optional to use, but it is extreme helpful in solving a good number of puzzles. Outside of compiling information for puzzles, the case board is also useful for the player's understanding of the story. As the player matches clues to relevant pieces of the case, they are able to process information in an engaging and immersive way. I always felt compelled to interact with it.
Meanwhile, Alan Wake is stuck in a weird dimension called the Dark Place, trying to write his way out by collecting plot points for his story... or uh... something like that. It's a little weird. His playstyle shakes the combat up a bit by adding some extra strategy to the ol' flashlight and shooting. In the Dark Place, shadow figures stand everywhere. Some are safe, but some will attack. It can be hard to tell at times, creating a constant sense of anxiety (For most of the game I actually thought you were supposed to get rid of all of the shadows and didn't know there were specific dangerous ones. I uh... wasted a lot of batteries...). The enemies seriously freaked me out at times, especially later on when they become more numerous. However, I didn't really like how frequently hostile ones could respawn. I ended up wasting a lot of resources in places where I became confused due to the sometimes obtuse level design, creating unneeded frustration. It's still luckily not enough to substantially drag the game down.
Alan Wake has something similar to Saga's Mind Place where he can go his Writer's Room. It offers many of the same features, but instead of the case board, there is the plot board. When I first used it, my socks flew off. As Alan finds plot points, he can use them to transform various locations (called scenes) in a level. Each scene has a transformation for each plot point whether it is actually useful or not. It is an awesome system that added so much when it came to puzzle-solving and exploration. Sure, this isn't the first time something like this has been done in a game (the Gloria's Theater level from Psychonauts comes to mind), but the extent to which it is done in this game is so impressive. There's also a portible light Alan can carry and place down which can alter locations in a similar way, and it's also a great tool for exploration. All of this combined with the awesome surreal environments Alan explores unfortunately leaves Saga as the weaker half of the game, but if the weaker half of a game is still phenomenal, then it speaks volumes to its overall quality.
Story and Characters:
It was a bold move to start the game off with a pale naked guy getting stabbed in the woods but I respect it. The story of Alan Wake 2 picks up 13 years after the first game. I already mentioned its basic premise(s), but there's so much more beneath the surface, and the story is so complex and interesting. There's amazing twists that still have me thinking long after I beat the game. There's so much mystery, so much drama, so many intriguing concepts, so many fascinating characters. There's funny moments, heartbreaking moments, scary moments... It's just awesome! The story is amazing! I loved it so much! I also loved its connections to Control, as a massive fan of that game. I would recommend playing Alan Wake 1 and Control (and probably also Alan Wake's Amercian Nightmare... I didn't play that one, but from what I've heard, it sounds kind of important) if you can before Alan Wake 2, but it doesn't seem entirely necessary. I mean, I forgot half of the characters from the first game before playing the second two weeks later so take that for what you will LOL. Though, back on the topic of the pale naked guy, you uhh... might wanna enable the nudity filter in the settings before starting the game if you don't wanna see that... Just saying... That "naked" part was not hyperbole.
As for the characters, they were GREAT. The majority of the important characters left some kind of an impression on me, and it was fascinating to learn more about them as the game went on through either dialogue or context clues. Saga and her partner, Alex Casey, did have me a bit sceptical at first, as I didn't think they'd end up being super interesting. BOY was I wrong. Saga is a really cool character. She feels incredibly real, even despite her seemingly supernatural investigation skills. A section near the end of the game involving her had me in tears. I was that invested in her character. Alan Wake himself was, of course, excellent as well. His arc from the first game was expanded upon in some really interesting ways, and his half of the story was full of endless intrigue. As for the other characters, Alex Casey's involvement was definitely more than I could have ever expected. Mr. Door was a fascinating character that added a lot to the mystery. Tor and Odin, the band members of Old Gods of Asgard, were reused in great ways. Agent Esteves was kind of... odd, but given the organization she works for, I suppose it's to be expected. Overall, it's a fantasticly written cast with equally great actors portraying them.
Sound and Visuals:
I was blessed with the ability to play this game on my dad's fancy sound system and ohhh my gosh. It was a great experience. This game's sound design is so good. It's so atmospheric and complements the game's many creepy moments perfectly. There were so many moments that had me spooked out of my mind, and the sound design played a big part in that. As for the music, it was expectedly mindblowing. Not only were the Old Gods of Asgard songs great, but there was also a collection of songs composed just for the chapter endings. I almost missed how great they were as I skipped many right away, wanting to eagerly continue things. It's so easy to ignore them, which is unfortunate because they're pretty good! I'd highly recommend giving them a listen, whether it be inside or outside the game.
I could write a novel on this game's visual presentation. Thinking about it makes me internally scream in a good way. It takes everything awesome about Control and kicks it up to a whole other level. The detailed and creative environments are back and more detailed and creative than ever. This game pushes modern graphics to the limits with the most immersive and realistic environments I have ever experienced outside of... uh... real life, I guess. The variety of settings is also a colossal improvement over the first game, and the use of lighting throughout is to die for. Not only are the environments detailed, but so are the character designs. They're a great example of how you can still create awesome and distinctive designs in hyper-realism. Another welcome return is the use of live action segments, and boy, are they more prevalent than ever. They are used to great effect, and it can feel like watching a real TV show at times. I cannot stress enough how much effort was put into these. To give a vague spoiler as an example, they literally made a twenty minute short film just to put in the game. A twenty minute short film which you can totally ignore the existence of, might I add. It's kind of insane.
Conclusion:
I hope this super long review has made it obvious as to why this is my favorite game of all time. It is an experience like no other out there. The things that irk me about it are nothing compared to the endless evidence of effort and talent that went into making this masterpiece. I love the gameplay. I love the story. I love the characters. I love the music. I love the visuals. I love this game. It is horror and there's some gorey and creepy and dark moments, but if you can stomach it, then I'd highly recommend checking it out.