Remedy's Long-Awaited Vision for Alan Wake 2 is Now a Reality

Following the success of Control, Remedy Entertainment could have played it safe by developing a sequel. However, the studio opted for a riskier approach, choosing to create a sequel to its 2010 game, Alan Wake. This decision was driven by the team's passion for the original game, which, despite not being a commercial success, has developed a cult following over the years. The first Alan Wake's influence can be seen in Remedy's subsequent games, with the studio frequently expressing its desire to revisit the series. Now, with the publishing rights secured from Microsoft in 2019, Remedy is finally bringing Alan Wake 2 to life. Game director Kyle Rowley notes that the concept for Alan Wake 2 began before Control's release, and the team worked on it while also developing other projects, such as the single-player mode for Crossfire. The chance to work on Alan Wake 2 arose after Remedy secured the publishing rights, and the studio has since worked on incorporating Alan Wake references into Control and releasing a remastered version of the original game. With Epic Games on board as the new publisher, Remedy is aiming to create something exceptional with Alan Wake 2. According to Sam Lake, 'There is a lot of passion involved in doing this... We do have several core development teams working and concepting different things.' The game is not a straightforward sequel, as it introduces detective gameplay, a new character in Saga Anderson, and a shift in genre to survival horror. Lake explains that the first Alan Wake was a horror story but not a true survival horror experience, and the team is now focusing on creating a more intense, slower-paced game with a greater emphasis on storytelling and character development. The development of Alan Wake 2 has been in the works for four years, but Lake has been conceptualizing it since the release of the first game in 2010. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 lockdowns, the team has remained committed to its vision, and the game is shaping up to be closer to its initial concept than any of Remedy's previous titles. With a unique tone that blends horror and humor, Alan Wake 2 is set to stand out in a crowded market. As Rowley notes, 'The tonality of it is just very different to something like Resident Evil, or even Silent Hill... We like to think that we bring some levity.' The game's development has been smoother than that of the original Alan Wake, which took nearly seven years to complete. Remedy has learned from its experiences with Quantum Break and Control, and the team has built upon the foundations established by those games. Alan Wake 2 is part of Remedy's 'Connected Universe,' which includes the original Alan Wake and Control. However, the studio is mindful of the potential complexity of its shared universe and is ensuring that each game can be enjoyed as a standalone experience. As Lake explains, 'Every game that we make is such a large world of its own, and we feel that, first and foremost, it needs to be an approachable and enjoyable experience purely on its own merit, no matter the wider universe connections.' With its unique blend of horror and storytelling, Alan Wake 2 is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming world.