Alan Wake 2: A Game of the Year 2023

This article contains spoilers for the narrative of Alan Wake 2. The year 2023 began with my introduction to the world of Alan Wake, a series I had previously been unfamiliar with. This turned out to be a fortunate circumstance, as I didn't have to endure the 13-year wait to find out if the protagonist would escape the Dark Place. Instead, I discovered the series in October and spent a week playing the first game, followed by the second at launch. The beauty of Alan Wake 2 lies in its accessibility to both new and returning fans. The game features a secondary protagonist, FBI agent Saga Anderson, who serves as a vessel for new players. Alongside her partner Alex Casey, she investigates a series of murders in Bright Falls, the town where Alan disappeared over a decade ago. As she delves into the mystery, she experiences the strange and paranormal events at the same pace as first-time players. Meanwhile, Alan remains trapped in the Dark Place, a dream-like dimension where fiction can become reality. He struggles to recall his past and must find a way to write a story that will end his eternal nightmare. As he spirals deeper into the Dark Place, his sense of reality becomes distorted, and his attempts to change the story have terrifying consequences on the outside world. The game is structured as a loop, beginning and ending with the same shot. Each playthrough after the first allows players to understand the world more deeply, while the characters remain stuck in the same cycle. The actions of Saga and Alan mirror, echo, or foreshadow events, depending on the order in which the intertwining stories are experienced. I've always been drawn to stories that make the player feel like they're part of the narrative. Alan Wake 2 achieves this through its surreal meta experience, which is further enhanced by its use of mixed media. The game seamlessly blends filmed segments into the gameplay, creating a unique and captivating experience. At its core, Alan Wake 2 is a love letter to storytelling and art in all forms. The game features a wide range of media, from video games and television to film, music, literature, poetry, and photography. The cinematic and environmental storytelling in Alan Wake 2 is particularly noteworthy, with its misty depictions of the Pacific Northwest and Alan's neon-soaked vision of the Dark Place exuding style and substance. As I traversed the world of Alan Wake 2, I found myself taking in every detail, from the stunning vistas to the hidden objects and lore. The game's use of suspense and fear kept me on edge, as I slowly explored the dark corners of the forest and tried to avoid the menacing shadows in the subway tunnels. The hauntingly beautiful score by Petri Alanko adds to the game's atmosphere, and each chapter ends with a song that reflects the narrative and overall theme of the story. The game may not be long, but it invites players to take their time and experience the narrative at their own pace. As someone who has spent nearly 100 hours in the world of Alan Wake 2, I believe that multiple playthroughs are the best way to experience the game. The reason Alan Wake 2 is my Game of the Year is deeply personal. The game's exploration of Alan's dark, internal struggles resonated with me, and I connected with his feelings of being lost and trapped. The game's portrayal of mental health is particularly noteworthy, and I found myself reflecting on my own experiences with anxiety, depression, dissociation, and depersonalization. The game's message about the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health issues is a powerful one, and it has had a lasting impact on me. In short, Alan Wake 2 is a game that will stay with me for a long time, and its story has helped me to see my own struggles in a new light. It's a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact that games can have on our lives.