Alan Wake 2 Should Include More of This In-Universe Element

Summary

Multimedia elements in games, such as fictional TV series, can enhance immersion and make the experience more memorable for players.
Remedy Entertainment plans to continue incorporating multimedia elements in its games, including in the upcoming Alan Wake 2.
"Night Springs," a Twilight Zone-inspired series within the world of Alan Wake, should make a big return in Alan Wake 2, given its strong connection to the character and story.

Remedy Entertainment is well-known for including multimedia within its games. Fictional television series specifically go back to the Max Payne games and continue through its latest title Control. This aspect often made them stand out more against other similar fare. The additional world-building these in-universe inclusions provide can increase immersion and add a kind of meta layer to the overall experience, making it more memorable for players, and Alan Wake 2 could achieve the same. When handled correctly, they can go beyond mere Easter eggs or references in Alan Wake 2 and other games, and make for a truly unique fictional world that is consistent and engaging, encouraging players to go out of their way to seek them out.

In Remedy's case, the studio has previously announced its plans for a shared Remedy Connected Universe. This opens up a wealth of possibilities for the continuation of such multimedia elements in its titles going forward. Some have already crossed over and appeared in subsequent games. With the impending release of Alan Wake 2, there is one particular in-universe element first seen in the original Alan Wake and referenced in later material that should make a return in a big way in the sequel.

Alan Wake 2 Should Have More Of This In-Universe Component

Among the many in-universe items found in Remedy's games, "Night Springs" is arguably one of the best. Night Springs is a Twilight Zone- inspired series within the world of Alan Wake. Players could find interactable TVs that would play a short episode, and many were often both humorous and unnerving at the same time, matching the tone of the game itself. These are live-action segments, technically disconnected from the plot, but often containing eerie parallels to it. Rendered in black and white and complete with detached narrator and classic twist ending, these condensed versions of the classic science-fiction anthology fit perfectly within the setting and atmosphere.

It's established in Alan Wake canon that Alan himself has a history with the Night Springs property, beginning his literary career writing scripts for it before becoming a famous crime-thriller novelist. 2012's Alan Wake's American Nightmare is framed entirely as an episode of Night Springs where Alan must use his literary abilities to repeatedly re-write the "correct" version in order to escape a time loop, very much in the spirit of Twilight Zone tales. With such a strong connection between Alan and the show, Alan Wake 2 has ample reason to include more Night Springs-related portions.

Since Alan Wake 2 has been revealed to contain further live-action sections, it would be quite natural and fitting to have more of these be of the Night Springs show specifically. While they could easily take the form of essentially another collectible like in the first, they could also play a bigger role in the story. Given Alan Wake's history with Night Springs and his profession, there are a few interesting ways it could return in expanded form. For example, instead of passively watching an episode, Alan could be "sucked into" one upon discovering a TV, similar perhaps to the idea of American Nightmare, but more focused. This could serve to seamlessly merge live-action with gameplay, with Alan finding himself in a version of an episode that is also its own area or level.

It remains uncertain at this point how and to what extent these live-action segments will play in Alan Wake 2. However, including more installments of Night Springs and tying them more closely to the character and story would be a great way to keep one of the better in-universe elements Remedy has integrated into one of its games.