2010sAlan Wakeendson a cliffhanger.
However, even Wakes newfound powers have limitations.
Despite his best efforts, Wake doesnt seem to be able to free himself from the Dark Place.
For quite some time, that was the last substantial thing we heard from Alan Wake.
At least not exactly.
Instead, it takes us 13 years into the future to a fictionalized version of 2023.
So where has Alan Wake been that whole time?
Hes trying to write a perfect story that will allow him to escape and hes failing again and again.
The desire was there, but the opportunities were not.
We went around trying to make it happen and pitching it to publishers…and it just wasnt happening.
During all that time, someAlan Wakefans gradually accepted that a sequel was never going to happen.
It seemed destined to join the ranks of all the other great gaming sequelswell probably never get to see.
Behind the scenes, though, there was always hope.
Fan desires and unresolved cliffhangers aside, why was it so important for Lake to return toAlan Wake?
Still, 13 years is a long time.
A lot can change over that time, including projects as passionate asAlan Wake2.
So how much does the 2023 version ofAlan Wake 2share with Sam Lakes initial vision for that sequel?
Very little, Lake reveals.
On a concept level, there has always been a draft of what the story is.
But that has changed quite a bit.
Alan Wake: The Return
Its those changes that got me thinking ofTwin Peaks.
Its a delicate, almost impossible balance that Lake is very familiar with.
Saga Anderson is a new hero character and kind of a modern hero character for us, Lake explains.
She is learning about it, and shes adjusting for survive.
The player is also learning about these things and adjusting to survive.
And yes, that change in genre means greater scares and more of them.
However, you probably shouldnt expectAlan Wake 2to be one of those overwhelmingly horrifying modern gaming experiences.
Though we often praise such works, their effectiveness can be a double-edged sword.
How do you keep someone entertained when that entertainment is based on terrifying them?
Its a fine balance, saysAlan Wake 2co-director, Kyle Rowley.
Ive played some horror games where Im like, Oh, this is almost too scary.
Its so scary I dont want to play it anymore.
Im sure some people were like, Do we need this?'
says Rowley regarding the returning flashlight combat mechanic.
There it is again.
AppreciatingAlan Wake 2s changes and what they represent seems to revolve around understanding the complete significance of that word.
It was actually always about the storytelling.
For those used to the originalAlan Wakes more linear levels, those larger areas will undoubtedly feel slightly jarring.
In some ways though, theyre really just an extension of the level design seen in 2019sControl.
ForAlan Wakefans who spent years doubting a sequel would ever happen, the impact ofControlcant be overstated.
Controlwas a big transition for that, Lake says regardingAlan Wake 2s level design.
Design and narrative influences aside,Controlgave theAlan Wake 2team the confidence they needed to trust their vision.
We just wanted to make something that really excites us, Lake says.
Then it did find its audience and, and it was a big success for us.
Finding an audience is perhaps the toughest part of any conversation aboutAlan Wake 2.
2023 has seen not just an unusual influx of high-profile titles but an unusual influx ofincredibly well-madehigh-profile titles.
Lake is very aware of what he rightly refers to as a crazy busy year in gaming.
He is also aware of the various challengesAlan Wake 2faces in such an environment.
For me, it feels for the better.
Most creators are not Alan Wake.
They cant always reshape the world at will using their words, suggestions, and best intentions.
There was still too much work that needed to be done.
Yet, there can be so much beauty in that work.
