Alan Wake II had some pretty big shoes to fill, and in many ways it is the perfect culmination of everything that Remedy has made up until this point. The combination of Saga and Alan's stories was a great narrative treat, however I couldn't full-heartedly recommend this game. The combat is an absolute slog, especially in Alan's segments. That really brings the game down, as you fight with a never ending sea of shadows.

I also can't get over just how much the game is cribbing from Twin Peaks, particularly Twin Peaks: The Return. I understand that the first game was a homage to Twin Peaks and Stephen King, but the visuals, the style of the Koskela Bros. ads, the imagery for switching realities, even down to Scratch's leather coat. It really felt like they have enough of their own great narrative to pull on here, we didn't need to see owls and end every chapter with a song like The Return did.

I will play the DLC. I am a sucker for narrative and I love Alan Wake. But I don't think this is a great game.