I’m honestly speechless at how incredible of an experience playing this game was. Alan Wake has always been heavily inspired by Twin Peaks, and as a huge fan of Twin Peaks (it being my favorite show ever, specifically The Return) as well as Control I knew I was going to love this. However, I did not know the extent of how much I’d love this. With an improvement of everything in the original, as well as of a lot of Control, Alan Wake 2 blows those expectations out of the water (or should I say lake or ocean?). Early on, I already knew this game was likely going to be in my top 5 games of all time.

I love the survival horror route they’ve taken in this, with heavy inspiration of the Resident Evil games. The gameplay loop is very fun and engaging with some clever puzzles I really enjoyed. Fighting the taken was a lot of fun for me and kind of addictive. Even though there’s not a ton of enemy variety, I was pleased with the amount they had.

Both Saga’s and Alan’s gameplay I really loved. Even though some people don’t like Saga’s as much I throughly enjoyed it. She has one section especially that was one of my favorite’s in gaming ever. I really enjoyed the boss fights she had, exploring the woods to find puzzles and new gear as well as new weapons. All of the areas you explore are really cool and well done. Cauldron Lake, Watery, and Bright Falls are all extremely well done and beautiful areas with lots to explore. Returning to Bright Falls was very nostalgic and I really loved just walking around the town. Watery was one of my favorite areas, especially because of Coffee World. Cauldron Lake’s woods enveloped me as I played and had an atmosphere that was so beautiful yet haunting. Earlier on, I definitely found Alan more interesting as a protagonist, but as the story went on and more revelations happened, I began to love Saga just as much. Her story gets more and more interesting and involved in the Remedy universe the further the game goes.

Alan’s sections were definitely my favorite even though I loved Saga’s. The combat with the Shadows was so intense and it was a lot of fun trying to figure out which Shadow would actually attack me. His light switch mechanics and scene mechanics were some of the coolest I’ve seen in a game ever and were truly something special. I was in awe of them the entire time. Same as Saga, he has one specific section that was my favorite in gaming ever and was very akin to the ash tray maze in Control. All of his sections are really trippy and surreal and the Dark Place’s version of New York is one of the most stunning environments I’ve ever experienced. The amount of detail that went into it had me stunned at how well done it was. Remedy is on par with Rockstar in terms of the detail they put into their games. Signs, buildings, posters, TVs, and more all had incredible detail that I was constantly just walking around looking at.

The story is especially what is so well done here and is one of my favorite stories ever. It’s so akin to Twin Peaks The Return that I was bound to love it. Like Twin Peaks, it answers a lot of questions and updates us on past characters, but also raising even more which is something I love in mystery series. I can’t wait to play NG+ and for the DLCs to release. Hoping it hints at Control 2 which I can’t wait for also. I highly recommend new players to experience Alan Wake and Control first as it really adds on to the experience having finished them first. I also recommend people to checkout Twin Peaks (watch order is Seasons 1&2, the film Fire Walk With Me, The Missing Pieces, and Season 3 The Return) if they haven’t as well, as it can only add on to one’s appreciation of Alan Wake 2. Overall one of my favorite games ever and I can’t wait for more from Remedy.

It’s not a lake, it’s an ocean
Thank you Remedy