Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake 2 is unquestionably one of the most anticipated upcoming horror games, with Remedy affirming that this eerie survival horror experience will be one of the key new games of 2023. It marks the long-awaited return of horror author Alan Wake, and developer Remedy Entertainment plans to go all out for this sequel. It's been more than a decade since Alan Wake's 2010 release, and fans have been waiting for the sequel with bated breath, which will finally arrive in 2023.

What is Alan Wake 2 about?

At the conclusion of the very first game, author Alan Wake expelled himself and an evil presence that had been jeopardizing the town of Bright Falls to the Dark Place. This is a terrifying otherworld beneath the town in which reality can be literally rewritten. He's been stuck there for a decade, attempting and falling short of writing himself out.

Alan discovers more regarding the logic and motivations of the Dark Place, eventually freeing himself by confronting a version of himself known as Irrational Alan, and then writing the novel Return. His latest attempt to flee appears to be driving Saga Anderson's investigation, as the gameplay reveal trailer clearly demonstrates Alan writing out the investigation's narrative.

Furthermore, it appears that gamers will not need to have played the first Alan Wake in order to enjoy the sequel. "Alan Wake 2 is a sequel but set up as a stand-alone experience," according to Remedy's Alan Wake 2 FAQ. "Newcomers who have no prior knowledge of the previous game can enjoy the thrill ride."

Alan Wake 2 gameplay

Remedy has stated unequivocally that Alan Wake 2 will fall squarely into the "survival horror" genre. Whereas the first Alan Wake was an action game with some horror draping, the horror elements will take center stage in this sequel. The genre shift should allow Remedy to better explore what they call a "layered, psychological story." Besides that, gamers are still in the dark about what this means in terms of gameplay specifics. Those who have played Alan Wake will be familiar with its torch combat mechanic, in which light can dispel the Dark Presence that possessed Alan's enemies, leaving them vulnerable to gunfire. The announcement and gameplay reveal trailers hint at similar mechanics, but they'll most likely move at a different pace.

According to Sam Lake, "we are diving deeper than ever, into an ocean of darkness," and Alan Wake 2 will be a "chilling experience with familiar psychological horror elements." So far, the combat appears to be a beefed-up variant of what was present in the first, featuring the familiar light mechanics. However, with fresh and more terrifying enemies to face, gamers ought to anticipate more in the final product, despite only seeing a pistol and shotgun so far.

Having said that, the combat feels much tenser and more horror-focused than in the original, as Lake hinted at early on. The story is told from both Alan's and Anderson's points of view, and players can choose how they want to unravel it. Anderson's will take place primarily in the Pacific Northwest, in Bright Falls, a new town called Watery, and the terrifying Dark Place, where Alan's journey will take place.

Alan Wake 2 trailers

Gameplay Reveal trailer:

What platforms will Alan Wake 2 be released on?

Alan Wake 2 will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Due to Epic Games distributing the new survival horror game, Remedy has also confirmed that Alan Wake 2 will be released on PC via the Epic Games Store. Alan Wake 2 isn't expected to be released on PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch, which isn't surprising given the game's 2023 release date.

When will Alan Wake 2 be released?

Alan Wake 2 will be released on October 17, 2023, and the date was announced in May 2023 at Sony's summer State of Play, following a year-and-a-half silence from Remedy. Fans expected to hear more in the summer of 2022, but a May 2022 update from Remedy revealed that Sam Lake—Remedy's Creative Director and lead writer on Alan Wake and Control—needed more time before any further reveals. Alan Wake 2 pre-orders are also now available on the game's official website, and it will be available in Standard or Deluxe editions.