Alan Wake II review (PS5)

The eagerly anticipated Alan Wake 2 arrived just in time for Halloween and is the go-to game for this season – as well as one of the best titles of the year. Remedy Entertainment delivers an experience that defies convention, weaving together atmospheric horror, psychological intrigue, and impeccable storytelling in a sequel that improves upon the original in nearly every way. We played it on a PlayStation 5.

Set against the backdrop of the town of Bright Falls, which is situated in the Pacific Northwest wilderness, Alan Wake 2 unfurls a chilling narrative that over the course of the story spirals from a routine murder investigation into a nightmarish odyssey the grips you from start to finish. Saga Anderson, a seasoned FBI agent, becomes entangled in a series of ritualistic murders, her path converging with the enigmatic writer Alan Wake, whom we remember as the sole protagonist in the first game. Through a macabre fusion of reality and fiction, their fates end up being inexorably linked, leading to a confrontation with the malevolent forces that threaten to consume them.

Part of the brilliance of Alan Wake 2 lies in its dual perspectives. Playing as both Saga and Alan, players gain unique insights into the unfolding nightmare from more than one angle. Saga’s chapters have the pacing and intrigue of a classic murder mystery, while Alan’s segments offer a surreal journey through a nightmarish otherworld, replete with shadowy adversaries and reality-bending mechanics – beautifully brought to life here.

The gameplay mechanics, while familiar to fans of the original, have been refined for the sequel. Combat is generally a dance of light and shadow where resources are scarce, and every encounter ends up being a tense battle for survival because of it. The revamped third-person perspective lends a newfound immediacy to the struggle against the encroaching darkness as well, and Remedy has improved the pacing and level of challenge of the game for Alan Wake 2, ensuring that encounters never feel too easy, yet never too punishing either. And throughout all this, the use of the DualSense controller effectively amplifies the immersive quality of the game with its haptic feedback.

The town of Bright Falls itself is almost like a character, its nooks and crannies teeming with secrets and dangers. Exploration – though not without danger – is rewarded with a deeper understanding of the enigmatic events that shape the story, supplemented by cleverly integrated collectibles that enrich the narrative experience. The mind palace mechanic, with ties into both Saga and Alan, offers seamless immersion into their respective realities, underscoring Remedy’s commitment to an organic and unintrusive gameplay experience.

The narrative, interwoven with elements of meta-fiction that should appeal to fans of the first game, embraces both the bizarre and the conventional in a careful balancing act, creating a palpable sense of unease. The characters are impeccably crafted, each harboring their own mysteries and quirks. The return of familiar faces in the sequel, such as Alex Casey, serves to deepen the enigma, intertwining past and present in a tapestry of eerie coincidence – while also making players want to go back and play the original game again.

Visually, Alan Wake 2 is fantastic, with Remedy’s Northlight engine showcasing its prowess. From the mist-laden forests of Bright Falls to the surreal nightmare of the Dark Place, every locale is a grand example of environmental design and atmosphere. Remedy’s mastery of lighting and composition imbues every scene with a haunting beauty, underscoring the game’s overarching atmosphere of dread. This was already masterfully done in the original game, but they’ve really lifted the bar here. On the PlayStation 5 there are a few minor frame rate drops though, but hopefully we’ll see some optimizations post-launch.

In conclusion, Alan Wake 2 is a masterpiece that gives fans exactly what they wanted and more. With its impeccable atmosphere, enthralling narrative, and polished gameplay, Remedy Entertainment has crafted a must-play game. It may have been timed well around Halloween, but Alan Wake 2 is one of this year’s best games regardless of that.

Score: 9.0/10