Summary
- Alan Wake 2 expands on the unique concept of manipulating reality through art, and takes the core gameplay mechanic of using light to fight against the Dark Presence to the next level.
- The use of lighting in Alan Wake 2 is crucial in creating a next-gen atmosphere, with the game's tone and player experience being heavily influenced by the lighting effects.
- Alan Wake 2's impressive lighting sets the eerie and dramatic ambiance and enhances the gameplay.
2010's Alan Wake had a lot going for it. While the first Alan Wake certainly wasn't perfect, with some big gameplay issues, it did bring a lot of unique concepts to the gaming landscape. Though it may not necessarily be the most novel plot in the wider realm of fiction, Alan Wake's central story about a writer getting hunted by a Dark Presence and his ability to shift reality using his words was definitely a unique concept for the world of gaming at the time. But Alan Wake's story and core concepts could have used a bit more fleshing out, and Alan Wake 2 goes above and beyond in that department.
Along with the ability to manipulate and change reality with art, one of Alan Wake's most unique elements was the importance it placed on light, both in the story and its gameplay. In the first Alan Wake, the player's torch was just as helpful as their pistol, being a core tool in the fight against the Dark Presence and its possessed Taken. And again, while this core conceit wasn't fleshed out too much in the first game, Alan Wake 2 really dives into this mechanic and takes it to the next level.
Alan Wake 2's Use of Lighting is Two-Fold
Alan Wake 2's Light-Based Attack Is Still Satisfying and Unique
In the first Alan Wake, the main enemy type that players would come up against were the Taken, people wielding various melee weapons that had been possessed by the Dark Presence. To eliminate the Taken, players would first need to shine their torch directly at the enemy, which would cause the shadow surrounding them to disappear. Once exposed, players could then blast their target away with any of the game's various weapons.
Alan Wake 2 keeps this core gameplay concept, but tweaks it just slightly to make it feel even more satisfying. Taking inspiration from the recent Resident Evil remakes, Alan Wake 2 has a closer over-the-shoulder perspective than its predecessor, which gives the combat an even more intense edge. Rather than aim the torch at the enemy generally to expose them, Alan Wake 2 makes players press a specific button to deliver a focused burst of light energy. This more deliberate input is accompanied by a distinct burning sound effect, and some vivid vibrations, at least with the PS5's DualSense, making the action feel even more powerful. This move also exposes a bright red weak spot on some enemies, leading to an extremely satisfying burst of shadow energy if then shot by the player.
Alan Wake 2's Lighting is on Another Level
But Alan Wake 2's use of light extends far beyond just its core gameplay gimmick. Alan Wake 2's actual lighting effects go a very long way in making the game feel truly next-gen, and essentially dictate the entire game's atmosphere from start to finish. From the second Alan Wake 2 starts, its tone is set, and that's largely down to the game's lighting. The dark gray light of the night sky streaming through the trees gives players an immediate eerie feeling, and the appearance of a torch's stark white light feels suitably dramatic in the darkness.
Alan Wake 2's lighting is by far one of, if not the most important technical feature in the entire game, with it determining how the player is supposed to feel in every moment of gameplay. For instance, if Alan Wake 2 wants to make the player feel on edge and isolated, then it turns things into complete darkness, forcing the player to use their torch to even see a few feet in front of them. If Alan Wake 2 wants to give the player a moment of reprieve, then it gives them a more calming orange sunset, making their surrounding environment clearly visible. And with some cutting-edge visuals and technical effects, Alan Wake 2's lighting is even more impressive and important.
Alan Wake 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- October 27, 2023
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Epic Games
- Engine
- Northlight Engine
- Franchise
- Alan Wake
WHERE TO PLAY
A string of ritualistic murders threatens Bright Falls, a small-town community surrounded by Pacific Northwest wilderness. Saga Anderson, an accomplished FBI agent with a reputation for solving impossible cases arrives to investigate the murders. Anderson’s case spirals into a nightmare when she discovers pages of a horror story that starts to come true around her.
Alan Wake, a lost writer trapped in a nightmare beyond our world, writes a dark story in an attempt to shape the reality around him and escape his prison. With a dark horror hunting him, Wake is trying to retain his sanity and beat the devil at his own game.
Anderson and Wake are two heroes on two desperate journeys in two separate realities, connected at heart in ways neither of them can understand: reflecting each other, echoing each other, and affecting the worlds around them.
Fueled by the horror story, supernatural darkness invades Bright Falls, corrupting the locals and threatening the loved ones of both Anderson and Wake. Light is their weapon—and their safe haven — against the darkness they face. Trapped in a sinister horror story where there are only victims and monsters, can they break out to be the heroes they need to be?
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Metascore
- 90
