Summary
After more than a decade of waiting and a plethora of rumors and hints dropped by Remedy Entertainment, fans finally got confirmation ofAlan Wake 2’s existence at The Game Awards 2021. Now that the release ofAlan Wake 2is mere weeks away, it’s only a matter of time before those who have patiently waited for Remedy to follow up its excellent survival horror title are rewarded with the chance to finally get their hands on the game that many thought might never get made. Ahead of that release, there’s been plenty of screenshots and gameplay trailers that indicate the sequel will have been every bit worth the protracted wait.
The recent hands-on impressions ofAlan Wake 2illustrate just how much has changed in the time since the first game, with Remedy clearly having learned from its experience makingControland transformingAlan Wake 2’s combat to be much more focused than the original.Alan Wake 2’s dual protagonistsand the different settings they inhabit each serve as a showcase for the game’s excellent lighting and art direction, and there’s every chance that the sequel will retain (and possibly outdo) the David Lynchian strangeness of its predecessor. Thankfully, players won’t have to wait much longer to get to experience Alan and Saga’s stories for themselves.
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All Official Screenshots for Alan Wake 2
In thefictional universe ofAlan Wake, the titular hero is a famous author meant to be an analogue for real-life horror writers such as Stephen King. When Wake’s writing starts influencing reality, he enters into a desperate struggle to understand what’s causing him to be able to see his work come to life while also figuring out how to stop it. This journey takes place in the fictional town of Bright Falls, Washington, which is clearly inspired by the very real town of North Bend, Washington—the inspiration for David Lynch’sTwin Peaks.
WithAlan Wake 2’s introduction of FBI agent Saga Anderson as a second protagonist, players now switch between her investigation in the town of Bright Falls and Alan Wake’s adventures in New York City as he assumes the identity of one of his fictional characters, Alex Casey. While Saga’s investigation still puts players into the “small town hiding a dark secret” feel of bothAlan WakeandTwin Peaks, the sections where players assume control of Wake have a distinct noir feel as Alan lives out the fantasy of being the detective from his series of action-thriller novels.
The screenshots forAlan Wake 2that have been revealed so far showcase just how different these two settings are, with the idyllic Pacific Northwest town of Bright Falls in stark contrast to the dark streets and scant neon lighting of New York City. Whether this version of New York City is real or one contained within Wake’s head remains to be seen, but already the influence ofControl’s excellent art directionand pristine lighting effects are on full display.
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Alan Wake 2 – Reveal Trailer
After years of rumors and hints from Remedy Entertainment themselves, thefirst trailer forAlan Wake 2arrived as part of The Game Awards 2021. This first trailer begins with a slow movement through both of the game’s settings accompanied by a voiceover from Alan Wake’s voice actor Matthew Porretta. After continually shifting back and forth through what fans now know as Bright Falls and New York City, a lone figure turns toward the camera and reveals themselves to be Alan Wake. This first trailer doesn’t provide fans with any gameplay footage but does serve as the official announcement of the game’s existence.
Alan Wake 2 Gameplay Reveal Trailer
Earlier this year, fans were treated to the first official gameplay footage forAlan Wake 2ahead of the Summer Game Fest and Gamescom events for 2023. Again actor Matthew Porretta provides a voiceover for the trailer as Alan Wake, with footage of the title’s gameplay primarily focusing on Saga’s investigation in Bright Falls. Likethe firstAlan Wake, the action in the trailer highlights how players must focus light on enemies before they can deal any damage with traditional weapons. More than the first trailer, this gameplay reveal establishes the sequel’s ability to build tension and serve as a genuine survival horror game.
Alan Wake 2 – The Dark Place Gameplay Trailer
The final official trailer forAlan Wake 2(outside the behind-the-scenes clips released by Remedy Entertainment) showcases bothRemedy’s penchant for blending live-actionfootage with its digitally rendered content and Alan Wake’s potential dual-identity in the sequel. This final trailer does show some snippets of gameplay from the sections where players assume control of Alan Wake, but ultimately it serves as an excuse for an extended cinematic to catch players up on the state of the protagonist in the sequel.
MORE:Alan Wake 2 Devs Discuss New Co-Protagonist Saga Anderson’s Role in the Game
